Prince of the Playhouse: A MM, Coming Out, Secret Identity, Theater Romance (Love in Laguna Book 3)

by Tara Lain

  He walked back to the dressing room—he got his own—and started on his makeup. He loved this part. Even after a week, he still had to concentrate to get it right. So different than movies, where it was all done for you. The base he’d mixed before the first performance stood waiting for him in a sealed jar. Just the right amount of grayish pigment had been mixed in the flesh tone to convey Hamlet’s dull gray state of mind. Man, that fit him perfectly.

  After he finished his makeup, he pulled on his first act costume—the black leather suit that fit like so much skin. Man, he got off on wearing Ru’s costumes. So brilliant, so perfect for the characters, so sexy. That about summed up the man. Brilliant, sexy, and perfect. Would he come tonight?

  Gray walked out of his dressing room to the wings and peeked into the rapidly filling audience. All the reviewers who hadn’t made it into the show before tonight would be standing in line to see it. The reviews had been great. Hell, he’d had a wonderful time.

  There in row three sat his mom and dad with Penelope between them. They must be happy to finally meet a girl he’d dated. In high school he’d barely gone out with girls. He just played sports and pretended he wasn’t all that interested in a social life. The fact that he and the captain of the soccer team sucked each other off in the backseat of his car never came to light. What a frigging hypocrite you are.

  He caught his breath. Ru. Yeah, Ru and Bernardo walked down the aisle. Ru appeared tired—and beautiful. All dark and sexy, Bernardo looked about twice as handsome as he had earlier at the hotel. So the guy must be staking his claim. Gray’s stomach tightened. What the hell do you think you can do about it, hypocrite?

  Gray’s mom glanced up, saw Ru, jumped from her seat, and practically knocked down a couple of patrons getting to him. He gave her a hug with such a sweet expression on his face it made Gray ache. She chatted with him animatedly for a minute. He introduced her to Bernardo. She grasped the man’s hands with both of hers. Right. The superhero of the damned day.

  The house lights flashed and they all went back to their seats. Gray turned toward the green room. No problem being the melancholy Dane tonight.

  Three hours later, he sat at the makeup table again and creamed off the gunk for the last time. Kind of made him sad.

  He looked up at a soft tap. “Yes.”

  Artie stuck his head in. “We’ve got a ton of space reserved at the Ocean for a going-away party for you and Merle and the others who are leaving. Hope you can come.”

  “I’ve got my parents with me.”

  “Perfect. Bring them.”

  “Uh, is Ru coming?”

  Artie smiled. “I think so. We sure invited him.”

  Don’t be stupid, Gray. But he still smiled.

  He hurried through dressing and went into the auditorium to meet his parents and—right, Penelope. His dad gave him a handshake. “Good job, son. Really proud of you.”

  “Thank you, sir.” He lived for those moments.

  His mother clapped her hands. “I think this is something you need to do more often. You get to find out how talented you are some way other than box-office receipts.”

  What a smart lady his mom was. He gave her a kiss. “We’ve been invited to a cast party at the Ocean Bar.”

  “Are you sure we won’t be in the way?”

  “No, Artie said specifically to bring you.” He looked at Penelope. “Can you join us? If not, Chris can take you back to your car.” He tried not to cross his fingers.

  “I’d love to come. Thank you.”

  Maybe he should have used a rabbit’s foot. He escorted them out the front, ducked the press photographers, and they piled into the limo. Chris let them off right in front of the bar, and they all ran in through the door. Chris promised he’d come back after parking the car and keep an eye out for marauding reporters.

  As usual, Artie waved from the back, but they’d roped off a big section of the bar this time, and people from the cast and crew milled around, drinking.

  Gray’s eyes searched the crowd with no permission from him. His heart skipped and then beat too fast. Looking resplendent in a pair of striped pants, a black T-shirt, and a flowy flowered jacket, Ru sipped champagne, talking to Beverly and Bernardo. He looked up with his tigery eyes as if Gray had called him. His lips turned up until his eyes shifted to the side where Penelope stood. He frowned and looked back at his companions.

  His mom tapped Gray’s chest. “Look, it’s Ru. Let’s go say hi.” She took off with his dad trailing behind.

  Penelope took hold of his arm. “Maybe you shouldn’t. He is the source of all the gossip.”

  “He’s my partner. Of course I’m going to talk to him.”

  She shrugged and slipped her arm through his. Shit. He walked across the room, pulled by the Ru Maitland tractor beam. They arrived just as his mother said, “We can’t tell you how happy we are that you arrived in the nick of time, Bernardo.”

  “I’m happy I could help.” He looked up at Gray and nodded. “Anson.” Then he stared pointedly at Penelope, who still clung to Gray’s arm. “Hello. I’m Bernardo Peña.”

  She gave him a huge smile. “Oh yes. I saw you briefly at the hotel. I’m Penelope Tisane, Gray’s—” She paused. “—friend.”

  Gray couldn’t take his eyes off Ru. Finally Ru looked up at him. “You did well. Maybe a little sadder tonight than the other performances.”

  “I’m sad to be ending. I really enjoyed doing the play and—everything.”

  His lips curved a little. “Yes, well, you have your whole other life to go back to now.”

  A voice behind Gray said, “Well, isn’t this a unique group.”

  Gray glanced over his shoulder. “Hi, Merle. Come meet my parents.”

  Merle stepped into their circle, but kept glancing at Bernardo.

  Gray said, “Mom, Dad, this is my friend, Merle Justice.”

  He shook hands with that bright, boyish smile, but it didn’t quite erase the crease between his eyebrows. “Glad to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Anson.”

  His mother grinned. “It’s Ansonfield, dear, but just call us Pamela and Charles. We love your television show.”

  “Thank you, ma’am.”

  Gray said, “Merle, you’ve met Penelope Tisane, but I don’t think you know Bernardo Peña. He’s a longtime friend of Ru’s.”

  “No. We haven’t met.” He looked at Bernardo’s offered hand kind of like Bernardo had gazed at Gray’s when they first met. “How good a friend are you?”

  Ru put a hand on Merle’s arm. “Bernardo’s the one keeping me out of jail.”

  “Well, I guess we have to be grateful for that.”

  Bernardo slipped his fingers through Ru’s—conspicuously. “This man has literally turned thread into gold. He’s performed miracles with every small gift he’s been given. I figure he deserves the best.”

  Merle crossed his arms. “And you figure you’re it?” He glowered at Bernardo, who might be dressed as a respectable businessman but still radiated an air of menace.

  Bernardo frowned back. “Living in this nice, lily-white community, he seems to get in a lot of trouble. Maybe he needs somebody brown to take care of him.”

  Ru spread his arms in front of both men. “Enough. Flattering as it is, I don’t need anyone to take care of me.” He glanced at Gray. “I know it doesn’t seem that way lately, but I’m going to be more cautious and give up my stupid dreams in favor of living in the real world.” He looked up at Bernardo. “Would you take me home, please? I have a lot of seams to sew.” He turned to Gray’s dad. “So glad I got to meet you. I understand how Gray got to be such a great man.” He smiled as he hugged Gray’s mom. “Enjoy the rest of your stay and your new clothes. I can’t even imagine what it would be like to have such wonderful parents.”

  She got tears in her eyes. “I’d be proud to have a son like you.”

  Ru smiled and wiped his eyes, then walked hurriedly away from the gathering—and away from Gray.

  Chapter Twenty-S
ix

  Interesting ceiling. Gray lay on his back on the bed. After more champagne, hugs to every member of the cast, escaping reporters at the bar and the hotel, and an awkward moment where he was afraid Penelope was going to follow him into his bedroom, he’d finally gotten rid of everyone and got to lie here feeling like warmed-over crap.

  The gentle tap didn’t come from the bedroom door. Must be the hall. Who the hell now? Probably Benson, and he just didn’t want to talk to him. It was late. Maybe he could pretend to be asleep.

  The tap came again. Hell. He got up and walked barefooted into the sitting room, then peered through the spy hole. Mom. He swung open the door. She wore her pink chenille robe. Wonder what Ru would think of it? “Hey.” He smiled.

  “Good. You weren’t sleeping.”

  “No. Just thinking.”

  “Can I come in and think with you?”

  “Sure.” He stepped back and let her walk across the room to the couch. “Want something to drink?”

  “A glass of mineral water would be nice.”

  He added ice to two glasses and carried the bottles of mineral water to the coffee table. “So what would you like to do in LA for your next few days? La Brea Tar Pits?”

  “I just enjoy being with you.” She poured the water in her glass. “I was wondering how you’re feeling about tonight.”

  “Tonight? Oh, the play? I’m actually sad it’s over. It complicated my schedule a lot, but it was a great experience. And I really enjoyed working with Artie. He gets me. I hope we can do a film together sometime.” He sipped his water. “I like Merle Justice too. I’m going to try to stay in touch with him. He’s a good guy.”

  “Does he like Ru Maitland?”

  “Like?”

  “Is he interested in him—romantically?” She looked in her glass with great interest. “He seemed very jealous of Bernardo.”

  “Uh, yes. I think Merle had a thing for Ru, but Ru wasn’t into it, so he gave up. Still, Merle might resent Bernardo, since Ru seems to be interested in him.”

  “Such a handsome man, Bernardo. Hard to believe he was part of a badass gang.”

  Gray snorted mineral water through his nose, which burned like hell. “I can’t believe you said that.”

  “Still, I got the impression that Ru is more interested in you than in Bernardo.” His eyes flashed to his mom. Slowly her gaze rose. “And I get the impression that you return his affection.”

  He swallowed. “So you’re saying that—”

  “You’re gay, of course. And unless I’m sadly mistaken, you’re in love with Ru Maitland.”

  He could barely breathe. “Jesus, Mom.”

  “I’m very sorry we’ve never talked about this before. I simply wasn’t sure.”

  “S-sure about what?”

  “Sure if you’re gay. I was so certain in high school, but then you moved away and started making movies, and I kept seeing all these stories about you and women. I thought maybe you’d just been a slow starter.” She laughed. “But of course, I was right all along, wasn’t I?” She smiled at him.

  He nodded. Unbelievable. “You don’t mind?”

  “Mind? Dear God, what would I have to say about it? Of course I don’t mind.”

  “Your church—”

  “Darling, I believe churches are wonderful for teaching good values like not killing and not stealing and creating pleasing communities that have your back. That certainly doesn’t mean I accept all their bullshit as gospel.”

  “Mom!”

  “I’m truly sorry I led you to believe otherwise.” She slid her hand over his. So warm.

  Gray shrugged. “I guess I kind of assumed it. I was always a jock, and jocks don’t come out, so I just accepted that everyone believed the same thing.” He wiped a hand over the back of his neck. “I’m really a coward.”

  “Hardly, darling. But I do think your friend Ru has a lot to teach you.”

  “He’s one of the bravest people I’ve ever met.”

  “I’m glad you see that. It would be easy to dismiss him as a pansy or a queen, without seeing the power beneath.”

  “Jesus, how did you get so smart?”

  “Intelligence is genetic.” She smiled. “But I didn’t know until I got here how difficult it is for a movie star who makes action films to be gay. So what are we going to do about it?”

  “Do?” Sweet Jesus, was this conversation happening?

  “Yes. I assume you must like making these films, or you would have walked away long ago and led your own life.”

  “Uh, yes, I like making movies.”

  “And you can’t make movies if you’re gay? Isn’t that lovely young actor I met, Merle, isn’t he gay?”

  “He’s a good actor, but he isn’t offered a lot of roles because he’s out.”

  “Yes, I suppose that’s true. But how many films do you need to make?”

  He stared at her pretty face—like some fucking oracle feeding him the truth of the universe. “I, uh, I’m a really big star, Mom.”

  “Oh, I know that, dear. Good heavens, there aren’t any bigger, are there? I’m so proud of you. But if being rich and famous makes you miserable, what possible good is it?”

  He stared at his hands. “I’m not miserable.”

  “Dear God, Gray, that’s a colossal lie. I’ve watched you running from the press, pretending interest in a woman who, while charming, has nothing in common with you, hiding your love for Ru so completely you’re letting another man have him. If that’s not cause for misery, what is?”

  “Mom.” Not sure how it happened, but he slid over the distance between them and had his head buried in her shoulder before the tears hit his cheeks. “There are so many people who count on me.”

  “Yes, dear, and if you’re not there, they’ll count on someone else.”

  “Mr. Maitland, please accept my apologies for the accusations.” Chief of Police Kincaid frowned. “We were seriously misinformed.” She glanced around like she was looking for someone.

  Ru nodded. “Yes, there seems to have been someone who really wanted me out of the way. If it wasn’t for Bernardo and Fred, I could be spending some time in prison.” He squeezed Bernardo’s hand and nodded at Fred.

  She pursed her lips. “I trust we would have learned the truth one way or another. I hope we didn’t cause you any undue embarrassment.”

  “I wasn’t exactly longing to reveal my gang connections to the fashion world, but I suppose truth is always best.”

  Bernardo honked a laugh. “It doesn’t seem to be hurting your rep any, corazón. I think every rich lady in the US is gonna want a dress by the gangster designer.”

  Ru laughed. Maybe true. Still, his past felt like it was sitting on his head, wiping out the future.

  Kincaid said, “I’ll go out and speak to the press in a few minutes. Do you want to join me?”

  Ru glanced at Fred. He shook his head. “No, I think the announcement has more impact if it simply comes from the police department. Besides, most of the reporters got the story yesterday.” He raised an eyebrow at Bernardo.

  “Hey, I’m not gonna keep my mouth shut when my man is falsely accused.”

  Fred said, “Where’s Officer Johns? Is he joining you for the statement to the press?”

  Kincaid full-on frowned and shook her head. “No. He’s on patrol—I guess.”

  Ru followed Fred and Bernardo to the front doors of the station. The cute officer named Cantrell came out from behind the desk with her hand extended. “I’m really happy this got worked out, Mr. Maitland.”

  “Me too.” He grinned. “Thanks for your help.”

  She glanced around. “Don’t stop being careful, okay?” Then she returned behind the desk.

  Fred stepped out the doors and held up a hand to distract the press while Bernardo hustled Ru to his Mercedes and got him inside before too many reporters blocked his way. They left the door open for Fred.

  They could hear Fred saying, “Chief Kincaid will be out to mak
e a statement in a few minutes. We’re satisfied with the outcome, although distressed at the level of misinformation that was made public with no corroboration.”

  “Hey, Fred, everyone’s talking about the gangbanger fashionista. Is Ru going to do a special Compton collection?” The guy laughed.

  “Mr. Arthur, what does Gray Anson have to say about Mr. Maitland’s release?”

  Fred stared at the woman. “Mr. Maitland was never charged or held. Therefore he couldn’t be released. As to Gray Anson, you’ll have to ask him.” He hurried to the car with the press after him, slid in the back, and slammed the door. Bernardo took off, and a couple of reporters had to step out of the way.

  Bernardo put a hand on Ru’s knee. “Want to go home and get some rest? This has been one helluva few days.”

  Ru sighed. “Thanks, darling, but no. In fact, I’d love it if you’d let me out up here on the corner. I want to walk to Shazam and clear my head on the way. I don’t know if I still have any career to protect, but regardless, I’ve neglected my collection. I need to get finishing touches done so it can be shipped to New York.”

  Fred leaned forward. “I don’t think you should be walking, Ru. The reporters are relentless right now.”

  “I’m not letting this situation keep me from living my life. Besides, the reporters are more likely to follow the car than to follow me. Fred, you’ve been amazing. I promise to call you for all my criminal cases.” He laughed. “Really, I’ll recommend you to everyone I know who needs a litigator.”

  Bernardo laughed. “Me too, esé, and that’s some serious business.”

  Ru leaned over and kissed Bernardo’s cheek. “I’ll talk to you later, darling.” He looked behind them. No obvious tails. Bernardo pulled over, and Ru threw open the side door and hopped out. Bernardo started up again instantly, and Ru trotted down the side street toward Forest.

  A half block later, he slowed and pulled out his phone. Don’t do it.

  What the hell—why not?

  He pulled up his browser and searched Gray Anson news. His feet slowed. There they were, sitting at lunch, smiling like a perfect family portrait—Mr. and Mrs. Ansonfield, Gray—and, of course, little Penelope. Man, it had taken him like fifteen minutes to go back to her the minute Ru got in trouble. She was no pretend girlfriend. No way. But compared to the Russian bitch, he liked Penelope, so it was better if Gray ended up with her. Mrs. Ansonfield seemed to like her too. He’d watched her chatting with Penelope. Okay, I’ll wish you well. He wiped a hand across his eyes.