by Aidan Wayne
“How’re you feeling about tonight?” Russell asked once they were back in their seats, smoothies in hand.
“Excited. A little, a little less nervous. Things have been going really well.”
“Good. You’re doing great. I know you’ll keep doing great.”
Skye couldn’t help his smile. Russell never said anything he didn’t mean, and his compliments and praise meant a lot to Skye. Made him really believe he was doing a good job. “Thanks, Russell.”
Russell reached across the table to brush his knuckles against Skye’s own. Too gentle to be a fist-bump. It felt… tender. “Anytime.”
***
With the show running, Skye’s routine didn’t change very much. He usually got home around one or two and slept until nine (or ten), and then went about his day until it was time to head over to the theatre. He hung out with the cast and crew, especially Linda, Michael, and Russell, and thanked his lucky stars everyday that this was his life now. On dark days, when the show wasn’t running, he also made sure to block out time to head to one of the parks and take a nice long walk–something he didn’t always have time to do between errands and teaching and practice.
He was doing some stretches in Bryant Park when he heard someone say his name. “Skye?”
Skye looked up, eyes widening. “Brent?”
Brent was dressed in another suit, one that fit him perfectly, and Skye had an unbidden realization that maybe Brent didn’t just dress up for the theatre–that he might be wearing those suits because he was somebody. Skye suddenly felt very small, and a little uncomfortable.
Brent seemed to pick up on it; he took a step back, giving Skye a little bit more distance. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I didn’t mean to bother you. I just–I saw you and I couldn’t help myself. I can go?”
“It’s, um, it’s okay. Are you…” Skye trailed off, not exactly sure how to politely ask What are you doing here?
Brent smiled at him. Skye felt himself flush. “I was meeting with a client, and thought I’d take a walk after the meeting since I was in the area.”
“Oh. Client?”
“I’m a corporate lawyer,” Brent explained.
“Oh,” Skye said again. He didn’t know a lot about law, but that sounded impressive. “Well, it’s a nice day for it. For a walk, I mean.”
“It really is.” They lapsed into silence, and then Brent held out a hand. “Listen, I didn’t mean to disturb you, and obviously feel free to tell me no, but may I buy you lunch?”
“I’m-I’m sorry?”
“Again,” Brent said, putting his hands behind his back. “Feel free to tell me no.”
That… that was okay, right? Brent had asked. Skye wasn’t opposed. Not at all. “Um, sure,” Skye said. “I guess that’d be okay. If you want to?”
“Great,” Brent said, voice warm. “I know a few good places not too far away. What are you in the mood for?”
“Oh, um,” Skye grabbed his bag and slung it over his shoulder. “I’m really not picky. If it’s your treat, you should choose.”
“Alright. Have you ever been to Koi Bryant Park?”
“The one in Bryant Park Hotel?”
“Mm-hm. How do you feel about going there?”
Koi Bryant Park was a really nice place. And expensive. But Brent looked completely serious. “Sure?”
“Excellent.” Brent smiled at him. “Let’s go.”
“O-okay.”
The hotel was just through the park because it was that kind of place; upscale, scenic, and pricey. Skye felt miserably out of depth in his day clothes. He was wearing a graphic t-shirt for pity’s sake. But Brent walked in as if he owned the whole hotel, and nodded to the hostess like he was a regular. Maybe he was. Regardless, they were seated quickly, a waiter already at their table. Handing over a really nice menu–the kind without prices.
“Can I start you off with something to drink?”
Skye didn’t need to dither over choosing a drink. “Just water for me, thank you.”
“Are you sure?” Brent asked. “They’ve got a really good cocktails here.”
Skye swallowed, feeling a little in over his head. “I’m sure, thank you.”
“Alright.” To the waiter, Brent said, “I’d like water as well, with lemon, and a grapefruit fizz.”
“Of course. I’ll be right back with your drinks. Please peruse the menu in the meantime.”
“So,” Brent smiled at him. “What do you feel like?”
Skye stared at the menu. Ordering food at new places always made him nervous. “Do you know what’s good?”
Brent chuckled. It sounded fond. Which was better than condescending. “It’s all good. Are there foods you prefer? The salmon dish is excellent if you like fish, and the chicken breast is good if you’re more of a poultry person. And the chicken breast comes with a delicious soba stir-fry.
That did sound pretty good, Skye thought, relieved. “Okay, I’ll get the chicken and soba. Thank you for the recommendation.”
“Of course.” Brent chuckled again. “Now I just have to hope you like it.”
“I’m sure I will,” Skye said, ducking his head.
The waiter reappeared with their drinks -wow, service was fast- and took their order since they were both ready. Once he was gone again, Brent turned to Skye, giving him his full attention.
“Did I say how much I appreciate you taking up my offer? Thank you for giving me your company.”
“Thanks for inviting me out,” Skye said.
“Hey, it just means I get to see you, even on a dark day. If I hadn’t, I would have just had to wait until Friday night.”
Skye blinked. “You’re going to see the show again?” For a third time?
Brent smiled. “I always like to see shows more than once. You get to notice different things about a performance that way, and live shows always have variations. Besides, I’m really enjoying Child’s Play, not to mention that it has a stellar cast. It’s well on its way to becoming one of my favorite modern-day musicals. I plan to see the show a few more times at the very least.”
Okay, Skye could understand that. He certainly watched his own favorite musicals and shows over and over again. He’d just never considered the possibility of someone being able to do that with live theatre. “Do you have a favorite part of the show? That you pay the most attention to? Or a favorite number or something?”
“I really enjoy all of it,” Brent said. “It wouldn’t be my favorite musical if there were parts I disliked, you know? But,” he paused, “I suppose there are some parts that are more favorite than others.”
“Yeah?” Skye leaned forward. “Like which ones?”
“I like the dinosaur number a lot.”
Skye grinned. “Yeah, that one’s a lot of fun.” Dual dances like that were–especially when you had a great partner. And Veer and Iris were the perfect duo to play those two.
“And Action Ben’s bit, of course.”
“Of course. Everyone’s been loving Ben. I’ll have to tell Michael.”
“Michael Rodriguez?”
“No, that other Michael. You know, who isn’t playing Action Ben onstage with me.”
Brent laughed. Skye liked that Brent smiled and laughed so freely. “Suppose I walked into that one. Actually, that’s how I became so fond of your character.”
“From… Ben’s song?”
“Yeah. Eddie’s part in it? ‘Plastic face, empty head, definitely not well-read’? Deal sealed with your delivery. I loved him.”
Skye bit his lip to keep himself from smiling too wide. “I like that part too. It’s a lot of fun.”
“You and Michael have some great onstage chemistry.”
“Yeah,” Skye nodded, “We found something that works for us. Especially since he sings what’s technically ‘my’ song. We had to find a way to mesh well.”
Brent smiled at him. “You certainly did a good job.”
The praise, especially sounding so sincere, made warmth bloo
m in Skye’s chest. “Thanks.”
They talked a little more about the show, and that deviated into talking about other plays and musicals they both liked. Brent saw stuff a lot.
And it was getting easier, talking to him. Brent made him feel comfortable. Skye had never felt such an immediate connection before.
It took him by surprise when their waiter appeared with their food. He’d gotten lost in the conversation.
“Well,” Brent said, once the waiter had left. “This is it. Now be honest; you have to tell me if you hate it so that we can order you something else if you do.”
“It’s fine,” Skye said after trying it. The seasoning was pretty strong. At Brent’s raised eyebrow he added, “Good! I mean it’s good.”
“It really is okay if you don’t like it,” Brent said, voice gentle. “We can order you something else.”
“No, it’s good,” Skye insisted. “It was just an unexpected flavor. But it’s not a bad one. Like when you drink something expecting water and you get soda. Soda’s not bad, it’s just…”
“Unexpected?”
“Right. And it really is good. I mean it. Thanks.”
“Of course.”
“So,” Skye said after a few more bites. “Do you like being a corporate lawyer?”
“I really do. It’s interesting work that makes me think on my feet. Sometimes there’s more paperwork than I would like–”
“Isn’t there always?”
Brent laughed. “Too true. But overall it’s a good fit for me.”
“You must’ve worked pretty hard.”
“Hard work and lucky enough to know some people who helped me on my way. I won’t pretend that certain connections weren’t key in my success.”
“But that’s how it always works,” Skye pointed out. “For me, for people I know, everyone.”
“Do you mind if I ask how that helped you?”
“Well, for me–New York, Chicago, Las Vegas–they’re all expensive places. It would’ve been a nightmare trying to live in any of them, or even get hotels, before I contracted with the show. But I’ve got family and friends in those area, so I was able to stay with them for overnight trips in order to audition wherever my agent sent me. I owe them all a lot. I wouldn’t have made it anywhere without them.”
“It’s a reflection on you, that you understand that.” Brent smiled. “A lot of people don’t.”
Skye remembered Russell telling him pretty much the same thing. It felt just as nice this time around.
***
“Where are you headed to after this?” Brent asked, once he’d grabbed the bill.
Skye shrugged. “I don’t have any plans. I try not to schedule too much during dark days, so that I’m actually able to relax a little bit. It’s nice to have a day for just floating around, you know?” He’d already done all his errands. He’d probably go back to the park. It was a nice day, which meant artists and performers would be out and about doing their thing. He told Brent as much, who nodded.
“I do that too, when I have time. Just wander through one of the parks looking for performances.”
“Right.” Skye grinned. He was feeling a lot more at ease with Brent, after lunch. Even if he did still find him unfairly attractive. “Because you really like that kind of thing.”
“That I do.” Brent checked his watch. “I have to get going but… it was wonderful doing this with you. Thanks again for taking me up on my offer.”
“I enjoyed myself,” Skye told him honestly. “Thanks for inviting me out.”
Brent smiled at him. “I’m glad to hear that.” He shifted, re-adjusting his watch. “Actually… would you be willing to do it again?”
Skye blinked. “What?”
“Go out with me,” Brent clarified. “If you wanted to. I really enjoyed lunch with you. I’d like to see you again. And not just on a stage.”
“I…” Skye froze, a million thoughts flitting through his head. He definitely thought that Brent was attractive, and lunch had been fun, interesting, and easy. A date couldn’t hurt. He could say yes.
But he hadn’t gone on a date–well, a premeditated one–since he’d broken up with his last boyfriend. It hadn’t been a good split, and Skye had sort of decided to hang up his dating hat for a while.
He really did like Brent though. There was just something about him that Skye felt drawn to. And clearly Brent felt the same way, to ask him out.
Then again, Brent had first gotten interested because of Skye’s part in Child’s Play. Maybe he’d been drawn to the confidence Skye exuded while onstage. Oh god, if he had, Skye was just setting them both up for disappointment. That was an act in every definition of the word. “I…”
“Here,” Brent said, reaching into his jacket pocket and pulling out a little silver case. He flipped it open and took out a card, holding it out to Skye. “Again, absolutely no pressure. But think about it?”
Skye took the card and stared down at it. “Okay.”
“I screen my calls, so just text me to let me know it’s you, okay?”
“Okay.”
Brent put his card holder back into his jacket and looked back at Skye, expression soft. “And I mean it when I say no pressure. It won’t affect my seeing the show or anything. And if I do do anything to make you uncomfortable, please tell me to stop.” He shrugged, voice wry. “I’d actually been planning to send you another gift on Friday. But then this happened and–” he rubbed the back of his neck, “–now I’m not sure how to proceed, here.”
“Do you mind if I wait until Friday?” Skye blurted out. “I mean, since you’re coming to the show. Is that okay? If I think about it and maybe… see you after the show?”
“Of course. I’d like that a lot.” Brent grinned. “Gives me even more to look forward to.”
Skye swallowed. “Right. Yeah.”
“Okay,” Brent said. “Friday night. I’ll see you after the show. And then we’ll go from there?”
“Yeah,” Skye said. “I’ll–I’ll see you then.”
“Looking forward to it.” Brent nodded at him and then turned, heading away from the park. It was pretty obvious he was giving Skye some distance. It made something in Skye unclench, that Brent was being careful and not pushy.
It wasn’t… pleasant when people were aggressive in pursuing dates and attention.
For now, Skye walked further into the park until he found a nice spot to sit down. He unslung his bag and set it next to him, then took out the card to look at it again.
Brent Cook. Corporate Lawyer. Website, email, phone numbers, fax number.
Right.
Attractive, interesting, a love of theatre and the arts, clearly wealthy, and taken with Skye for some reason.
Right.
He had to make a decision.
Probably he should talk to someone about this.
Chapter 3
“Hi Linda,” Skye said, when she opened the door for him at the apartment she shared with her boyfriend. He handed her her strawberry-banana smoothie. “Thanks for letting me come by.”
“Sure,” she said brightly as they took a seat on the couch. She took a sip of her smoothie. “Thanks for the hand-delivered drink. What’s up?”
Skye sighed. “Um, okay, so you remember the guy who gave me flowers last week?”
“Yeah?”
“I ran into him today. Or he ran into me.”
“Not literally, I hope.”
“No, no, I just–I was at Bryant Park and he came up and said hello.”
Linda raised an eyebrow. “Okay. I mean, I guess there are weirder coincidences. This is New York City.”
“Yeah, I wasn’t um, worried about him stalking me or whatever–”
“Good!”
“–but he asked me out to lunch.”
She blinked at him. Took another sip of her smoothie. “Seriously?”
“Yeah. Um, at Koi Bryant Park.”
“The one in the hotel?”
“Yeah.”
<
br /> “That place is crazy expensive.”
“I know. But I figured no harm no foul? He was nice enough.”
“So you took him up on it.”
“Yeah.”
“And?”
Skye blushed. “And… he was smart, and interesting, and funny, and nice.”
“Whoa.” Linda leaned back. “That’s a whole lot of positives there.”
“I know!”
“Okay, okay, so? Then what?”
“Then after lunch he asked if he could see me again. And he didn’t specify as a date, but I’m pretty sure he meant like as a date.”
Linda looked at him, attention rapt. “What’d you do?”
“Well actually,” Skye rubbed his arm, “He gave me his card and just asked me to think about it. No pressure.”
“That was really thoughtful.”
“Yeah. So I–I sort of panicked? And said I’d think about it and tell him on Friday.”
“Why Friday?”
“He’s coming to the show.”
“What, again?” Linda asked, eyes wide. “For the third time in three weeks?”
“He said he really likes theatre,” Skye said helplessly. “And I mean, I know I’ve watched my favorite shows over and over again.”
“Yeah, on like Netflix and stuff. Who has the money to see the same show over and over again?”
“Brent, apparently.”
“Do you know what he does?”
Skye took out the card and showed it to her. “He said he was a corporate lawyer.”
“Seriously?”
Skye looked at her. “What?”
“That’s like, the most elite of lawyers. He probably makes in a day what we do in a month.” She handed back the card. “That information might not’ve helped,” she added apologetically.
Skye groaned and put his head in his hands.
“What’s the matter?” Linda asked, rubbing his back.
“I don’t know what to do.”
“What do you mean? Do you like him?”
A lot. Too much. It’s scaring me. “Yeah, I guess? He seemed like someone I could like.”
“So? Why not go for it. Nothing wrong with going on a couple of dates.”
“You don’t think it’s weird?”