Page 126 of When Ben Loved Jace

“No, I won’t be quiet,” I hear Ryan screech. “You should be just as pissed off as I am. He’s a cheater!”

I’ve never been heckled before. Who does that at dinner theater? People are probably going to think it’s part of the show. Actually, that’s not a bad idea.

I smirk at my co-star. “You know how everyone has a devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other?”

“Y-Yes,” she says, improvising with me. “Why do you ask?”

“Because sometimes I could swear I hear them shouting at me, and frankly, neither one seems to be on my side.”

The audience laughs.

My co-star smiles, connecting my detour to the next line in the script. “Well, darling, that’s love for you!”

I burst into song. Good luck being heard over that, Ryan! The advantage is mine. I captivate the audience like I always do, my co-star stealing her share of the attention. There isn’t any left for the little psychopath, and hopefully by the end of the song, Brian will have kicked—

Something cold and wet splatters across my face and down my costume. Judging from the taste of coffee on my lips, it was a tiramisu sundae. I can guess who threw it. Commotion has broken out in the front row. I’m frightened for Jace. What if hegets stabbed or something crazy? The stupid ice cream is getting into my eyes, but I can’t stop singing. I’ve never understood “the show must go on” like I do now. Every instinct in me is screaming to let it all drop to check on Jace. Nothing else matters more than him. I’m about to give in when I see my husband walk past the front of the stage. He’s behind Ryan, who is ringed in by three other guys. I recognize a couple of the crew members. They’re escorting him out. Ryan notices me looking and flips me off, holding the gesture up nice and high for everyone to see as he goes. Charming!

I try my best to purge the whole mess from my thoughts during the rest of the show, which gets a lot easier once Jace returns to his seat. He gives me a reassuring nod. I put the surge of emotion I feel for him into my performance. By the end of the play, I’m confident that we managed to draw the audience back into the story. The applause certainly doesn’t sound muted.

“I’m so sorry!” Brian says when meeting me in the wings. “I’m going to hire security guards.”

“You shouldn’t have to,” I grumble. “None of this is your fault.”

“And it isn’t yours either. I want everyone here to feel safe—cast, crew, and audience.”

“So what happened to Ryan?”

“He tried making a scene in the lobby, but your husband handled it wonderfully. He barely blinked! I don’t know how he stayed so calm. I was fuming!”

“I’m sure he’s dealt with airline passengers who were worse,” I say, trying to fight down a smile, but it’s impossible to resist when I see him approaching us.

Brian thanks Jace profusely before departing to soothe the frazzled nerves of the others.

“I like the new look,” my husband says, giving me a once-over before he swoops in for a kiss. “Mmm… And you taste so good!”

“I’m sticky!” I say, pushing him away while laughing. “I’m glad you were here, but why’d he have to make his move on the first night you came to see this play?”

“I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. People love when things go wrong. Don’t be surprised if ticket sales go up.”

“I’ll make sure to send Ryan flowers if they do.”

“I had a nice talk with him,” Jace informs me. “Although I was surprised to learn that you’ve been cheating on me.”

“Busted. There’s no sense in disputing the truth, especially when it comes from such a reliable source.” I drop the jovial tone. “We need to be careful around him. Ryan is into hard drugs. There’s no telling what he might do. Brian wants to hire security guards.”

“Good.” Jace nods in approval. “I’ll worry less. But this isn’t our battle. If you try to fight on Tim’s behalf, it’ll only convince Ryan that his actions are justified.”

“You’re right.”

I sigh and pull out my phone to send my ex-boyfriend a text.

We need to talk.

Chapter Thirty-one

When I see Tim again, he suggests picking me up so we can go for a drive, rather than stay anywhere long enough to get caught. Which increases the sensation that we really are having an affair. We meet at night in the parking lot of a public library. The last thing I want is for Ryan to figure out where I live. I don’t need any more nasty surprises.

“What do you think?” Tim asks once I’ve climbed into the passenger seat.