by Andrea Hurtt
"Woah, there. You gotta be careful. You're not supposed to break a leg until the day we go on stage together."
They locked gazes, and Charles' heart raced.
She was beautiful, but not in a movie star way, like the girls he'd dated in the past, but like the girl-next-door, a guy wanted to spend the rest of your life with.
Her question broke his dreaming.
"We?"
He shook his head to clear his mind. "We're clearly the best choices to play Maddie and Louis." Charles could only hope she could sing and dance, but at that moment, it didn't matter.
The show doesn't matter.
Only this woman did.
"Maddie and Louis? Did… Did you say, Maddie and Louis?"
"That is what I said. Do you know the characters, then?"
"Oh my God, yes! The Splendids? He's doing The Splendids, the longest-running off-Broadway show in history? That's my all-time favorite musical!"
He could see the excitement across her face.
I need to know her name.
"I'm Charles. And you are?"
"Screwed."
Oh, I very much wish that, but not the way she means..
He could envision her long legs wrapped around his waist as he took her with a fierce passion she'd clearly never known.
His thoughts slipped out into words. "Not right now, but definitely later." He was a little disappointed she hadn't heard him. Charles almost missed what she said in return.
"Well, that was a wasted trip," she grumbled. "I'm too old to play Maddie."
He would not lose her for something as stupid as age. Besides, she looked to be the same age he was; twenty-one. Actors in their twenties played teen roles all the time.
"Okay, let's back up. I'm Charles, and you are?" He watched as a blush filled her cheeks. It sent waves of excitement through him. She'd gotten flushed so easily. He couldn't wait to make her blush again.
"Sorry. I'm Grace."
Grace? It suits her.
Aside from her fall, which had landed her in his arms, she was full of grace.
"Well then, Grace," he said her name with reverence. "Let's get you signed in to audition." He started down the incline to the front of the stage, but when he no longer felt the radiating heat of her presence, whirled. "Aren't you coming?"
"Didn't you hear what I just said? There's no point. They're not gonna offer the lead role to an old lady."
"If you're an old lady, then I'm Moses. But you know what, you'll never know if you don't try." He wasn't going to let her go that easily.
"Seriously? You're gonna give me that stupid saying. Clichés are death, just don't go there."
"That stupid saying is as true today as it was when… well, whoever said it first. You will live the rest of your life wondering if you could have had that role if you'd only had the courage to step up. Come on, Grace. Step up. If you don't go, I don't go. You don't want to ruin my career too, do you?"
He wasn't about to tell her that the role was already his, and her choice really wouldn't affect his career in the slightest.
It would only affect his heart, his soul.
Which might be worst.
"Really, Grace, what do you have to lose?"
"Besides my dignity?"
"Well, you did literally fall into my arms," he politely reminded her.
"Oh, all right. You win."
He offered her his arm and wouldn't take no for an answer. One way or another, he'd get her on that stage.
Hopefully, into his arms.
Charles stood beside her as she handed over her resume and headshot.
Her shoulders fell a little when no one acknowledged her other than the first attendant.
He tenderly ran his hand down the length of her soft bare arm, stopping only when he reached her hand, taking it into his own.
He felt that spark again, something pulling her to him.
Charles gave a gentle squeeze. "Hey, it's gonna be all right. Shall we join the others up in the nosebleeds?" He lifted his chin to indicate the large crowd in the back of the theater.
She just nodded and followed his lead.
He took her to the very back of the theater, so they could sit alone. Rather ironic for the reason he'd chosen the place he'd sat earlier seemed to no longer matter.
They sat there in silence, watching the auditions, listening to far too many people who could not sing.
Unfortunately, they called Charles back to the stage and he had to leave Grace behind.
She just patted his thigh, like they were old friends.
It feels so right. I just need to get her on stage. The off-stage chemistry is driving me mad, so I can only speculate what our onstage chemistry will be like.
One by one, the actors continued to file on and off the stage. Sometimes with him, sometimes without.
The crowd had gotten smaller and smaller until just a few people were still in the auditorium.
He'd tried to watch Grace, keep an eye on her as she waited for her turn, but he couldn't see her.
Charles had pulled Jason, the director, aside. "The actress, Grace, needs to be saved for last."
Jason nodded and went back to auditions.
He glanced at his watch as he stood backstage. It was nearly six in the evening. He'd been there almost ten hours.
They hadn't broken for lunch; there wasn't time. He needed to eat soon. He was hungry, and not just from the lack of talent coming across the stage.
Charles had been famous for almost half his life, and the monkey's auditioning for the play were a joke.
At this rate, he wanted nothing to do with the show.
He was just about ready to call it a night when they called her up.
Charles wasn't the one currently singing for Louis; he was standing off to stage left.
The moment they called Grace's name, his chest tightened; he needed to be the one she sang with.
He rushed to the male actor standing center stage, snatching the guy's arm and tugging him into the shadows of stage right. "I'll be singing with this one," he commanded.
"But, I'm…"
Charles squeezed the man's biceps harder, digging his nails into the soft flesh. "Step away, boy. She's mine."
Shock danced across the actor's face, but he nodded.
He smiled to himself and stepped into the spotlight. Then he sang.
* * *
"Once the sky was new,
Once the spring had come
Once the scene was set for a night of fun.
The stars adorned the night
Then clarity was sung:
It was true.
It was true.
It was true."
* * *
He sang, and she danced into the center of the stage, then came right to him. He opened his arms to take her in and Grace accepted him.
Charles took a raspy breath in anticipation, as he slid his hands across the smooth satin of her pink shirt to rest them on the sides of her perfect waist.
He turned her to face the audience, her soft back against his chest. His body reacted to the closeness of hers and he had to calm himself, but how?
His hands trailed her waist to meet in the center, his arms now wrapped around her.
He pressed his cheek to hers, feeling the heat of her skin, breathing in the sweet smell of her shampoo that still lingered on her hair.
She sang her lines to the crowd, and they moved back and forth with the music.
The love Maddie felt for Louis was so clear in her voice.
Grace astonished not only him but the remaining actors and the production team.
* * *
"Once the fun died down,
Once you went astray,
Once I ran to hunt things so far away.
The stars upon the night,
Disappeared from sight:
It was true.
It was true..."
* * *
Charles' hands reluctantly left their resting place, only to glide onc
e again across her flat stomach, back to her sides. He gripped her tight and lifted her off the ground as they danced.
He spun them around, allowing her feet to touch the floor just before he spun her one last time so Grace could face him, their bodies moving perfectly together.
Charles held his breath when she reached up and put a warm hand on his cheek. His body responded before his mind could, and he placed his own over hers.
He stared deeply into her blue-green eyes, ready to whisk her away and devour her with the fervency he was flooded with.
In that breath, something was obvious.
She hadn't realized she danced and sang with him until then.
This was nothing more than another audition to her!
Grace must've been wrapped up in the character.
Everything he'd felt, the passion he'd thought they were sharing, was just his.
His alone.
Anger tore through him.
Charles had to get away before he said something he'd later regret.
He thanked Jason, the rest of the panel, and left the auditorium.
Chapter Three
"Three hundred channels and there's nothing to watch!"
Grace sat in her hotel room, flipping through the channels. She was a nervous wreck. Had this been any other play, it would just be another audition; not a big deal.
This one… it was her favorite musical. Something she'd shared with her mother before her passing.
It meant more to her than anyone could ever know.
"Oh, my." Her stomach grumbled, not wanting to be ignored any further. She put her hand over her abdomen.
She pulled on her jacket and she slipped on her shoes. Grace wanted to go eat at Hell's Kitchen. She'd seen a sign for the place and it was less than a fifteen-minute walk from her hotel.
Grace zipped her jacket, up to her chin. Although it was mid-April, the nights were still pretty crisp. She stepped out into the night air and headed west.
The restaurant was located in the basement of a building, decorated in black and red that gave it a dark ambiance. It suited her mood.
She should be so excited for the chance to be a part of the show, but all her insecurities, her introvert-ness, came rushing back.
Grace tried not to think about them, as she checked in at the hostess station. "Table for one." She stepped up to the counter. She'd expected to see a young, attractive female at the counter, as was the prejudice of most restaurants, but was pleasantly surprised to be greeted by a handsome dark-haired man with a goatee. He was dressed all in black.
How appropriate for entering Hell.
"Oh, sweetie," he said. "A woman as beautiful as you shouldn't at a table alone! Can I get you a spot at the bar?"
She appreciated his concern, but it didn't help things. "I'd really prefer a table or booth where I can be alone. I've got some things to go over," she said, holding up her handbag, colorful folders sticking out of the top.
"Of course. Follow me." He led her to a dark corner, away from most of the buzz of the dining room.
Grace was grateful; it was exactly what she'd asked for, but it probably wasn't what was best for her psyche. She pulled out her folders and laptop and got to work while she waited for her server.
"Welcome to Hell. What can I get you?"
"Can I please get a Lucifer Lemonade and the ham and pear sandwich?" she asked the tiny blonde server, who nodded in acknowledgment before quickly walking away.
She felt completely alone at that moment.
Grace had worked so hard to get over her self-doubt, but it hit her in waves. Her dream was laid out before her, right at the tips of her fingers, yet it still felt out of reach.
She wasn't a trained singer—or dancer for that matter—even though she'd given a decent performance.
However, she was getting old.
In terms of acting careers, twenty-nine was old.
Grace was just finishing up her meal when her server brought over not only her bill, but a single red rose. She looked up at the young blonde waitress. She glanced around at the other patrons.
No one else has roses, so why do I?
Her server wore a grin. "I was just told to bring this to you, and let you know your bill was taken care of." She walked away, not allowing Grace to ask questions.
She sat there stunned, continuing to scan the room to see if anyone was glancing her way; any indication of who'd sent her this gift.
Grace found none.
It made her uncomfortable, so she grabbed her handbag and left the restaurant.
As Grace headed back to her hotel, she spotted a small liquor store. She wasn't a big drinker, and never had a drop once she was in a role, but she hadn't gotten a part yet, and really could use a little something.
She was pleasantly surprised to find her favorite sweet red wine in the little store. It could be difficult to find where she lived, so she was grateful to have a bottle to drink that night, and the next two following, if she was lucky.
She was the only child to a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army and had been taught to always be prepared. So when she'd booked her hotel, she'd done so for three nights; the time it would take if she made it to callbacks. She wasn't overconfident. Just wanted to be prepared.
Laughter filled the lobby as Grace entered the hotel. There was no one in the lobby but the two front desk clerks.
"It's coming from the pool," one of them said, sounding irritated, and pointing toward the hallway in front of her.
Curiosity got the best of her and she wanted to find out who was having so much fun. She stepped up to the wall of glass that held the pool behind it and saw quite a few of the other actors that'd been at auditions.
One of them waved a friendly hello before jumping out of the pool and running up to the door. She wrenched it open, the humidity hit Grace full on.
"Oh, hi! Um…" She struggled like she was trying to recall Grace's name.
That was funny, wasn't it? The auditions didn't encourage the exchanging of names.
"I'm Grace," she said to save her.
"I'm Lacey! Nice to meet you! So, you should totally come join us!"
Grace tried not to laugh at the younger girl, who couldn't be over eighteen, and her so 1990s vocabulary. "That's very thoughtful of you, but I'm just gonna head upstairs."
"Oh, yes, you should! To grab a swimsuit, or a non-see-through bra and panties." She leaned in closer then. "Maxine already shocked everyone with that little stunt."
That time she laughed, how could she not? It seemed to be something certain theater people liked to do, shock people.
It rarely affected other actors, but if there were regular people around, it always seems like a challenge to see who could get the most of an effect.
She glanced around the room, not looking for the half-naked girl, but just taking in the scene.
There was the hot tub in the corner. Her body cried out. She smiled at Lacey and accepted her invitation to join the crowd.
Back in her room, she poured herself a glass of sparkling red wine into a coffee cup and added the travel lid.
No one needs to know it's not coffee.
She was so glad she'd packed her swimsuit. She always brought it along on any trip, just in case. She drank an entire glass of wine while getting ready, to give herself a bit of courage. She refilled the cup, replaced the lid and headed back down to the pool area.
Grace let out a small sigh when she stepped in and saw the hot tub had only two people in it, and they were deep in conversation in the far left corner.
"Um, excuse me," she said.
They didn't even look at her, just kept talking to each other.
"Do you mind if I turn on the bubbles?" she persisted.
She tried three times to get their attention but got no response. So she did it anyway. She cranked the nob of the timer to twenty minutes and watched as they erupted.
Grace tried not to sigh out loud in pleasure as she stepped into the overly heated hot
tub and sank in deep, keeping just her right arm out of the water and resting on the ledge. It held her paper cup of wine.
She listened to the laughter of everyone around her, wishing she could join in; it was clear quite a few of these actors knew each other.
Once again, she felt like she was all alone.
She didn't know anyone, and although she was always good at making friends, she felt out of place. There was no rhyme or reason for the funk she was in, other than she was doing it to herself.
Stop it, Grace!
From the pool room, there were large glass windows on the east side of the building. A few people walked by, even though it was getting late into the evening.
Grace couldn't help but smile when she saw a head full of sunshine blond hair come in to view.
He turned, looked into the room and stopped, a smile spread across his mouth. Charles waved hello. Then he held up one finger, as if to say just wait a minute, and he disappeared out of view.
The two other people in the hot tub left, and she was grateful to be alone. It only lasted a brief moment.
Three giggling girls ran and jumped in, splashing Grace.
She tried not to glare, but it was difficult to endure such rudeness.
She was about to get out and leave when one of the girls demanded her attention.
"Oh! I loved your audition today! Wow!" She turned to the girl next to her. "Did you see it? It was amazing. I was jealous! The chemistry between you and Charles was… wow."
Grace's cheeks flushed hot. No doubt she was as red as a tomato. Between the Lucifer's Lemonade at dinner and the two glasses of wine, mixed with the heat of the hot tub, she was more than feeling the effects of the alcohol.
She listened as they went on. She hadn't thought there were that many people left in the theater when it'd finally been her turn.
"I'd be shocked if those two don't end up with the lead roles," one girl said. "They looked like real lovers on stage."
"I wanna be his lover," another girl chimed in, bringing her hands up to her chest in a swoon-worthy sweep.
"Stand in line, honey," a good-looking man said, as he stepped in to join them.
The hot tub wasn't very large, although the sign posted on the wall beside it stated the capacity to be ten.