Page 50 of Rebel Romeo

Missy’s gaze whips between us furiously before she steps back. “Fine,” she whispers. “All I was saying was that we’re getting an understudy for her. It’s actually union rules to have them and besides, I’m not sure we can trust a performer who’s so green.”

Nolan shrugs. “Of course we’re getting understudies. Not just Kate. You know, as you said, union rules and all. Besides, Kate and I might want to have a night off together.”

Oh boy. If I thought she was mad before, she’s downright livid now. Her face burns scarlet red from the tips of her ears down to the swell of her cleavage pushing out of her too tight top. My heart pounds as I watch her whip around and walk away, stretching a lithe arm out to hail a cab.

“You heard all that?” I ask Nolan, once she’s in a cab and driving away.

His arm slides out from around my waist and he rakes a palm through his shower-damp hair.

“Some of it,” he acknowledges as we walk slowly toward my apartment. “I was in a cab heading to your apartment for movie night and I saw you two on the corner. Figured nothing good was coming from Missy Howl being in Brooklyn on your block at this time of night.”

“You were right about that,” I snort. “Thanks for coming to my rescue.”

“Anytime.” He playfully nudges me with his elbow and holds up two fingers. “Deuce.”

“Oh no. Please tell me that’s not my new nickname.” I groan, her words from earlier haunting me. You’re nothing but a deuce. A lowly two that no one wants, but they sometimes get stuck with.

I hate to admit she might be right. I’m most certainly not the most desired card in the deck.

I slide my key into the front door, shouldering it open.

“I think you’re forgetting something. In poker? Sometimes twos are wild,” Nolan says with a wink.

A slow smile spreads across my face. “Then maybe it’s time for me to up the ante.”

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Holden

Five years ago…

I arrived at class twenty minutes early, hoping to steal a moment alone with Katherine. Armed with a chamomile lemon tea for her, I waited for her arrival in the dark, empty theater. Bringing her tea every morning before Method Acting 101 was my little way of showing up. She might not fully forgive me yet, but we were on the path to get there.

Since she was almost always early to class, it struck me as odd as the minutes ticked by and students started trickling in. But still no Katherine.

When it was almost nine a.m., and Kate still wasn’t here, I stood up to go find her, but McCay stopped me, stepping into my path before I could reach the hallway. “Where are you going Holden?”

“I’m worried about Katherine. She’s always here early, but?—”

“Kate is a big girl. I’m sure she can find her own way to class. And if not, that’s why we brought Addison on.” Professor McCay gestured at Addison. Sitting in the front row with her legs crossed, she gave me a seductive, little wave. “In fact, why don’t you two sit next to each other for today. Get acquainted.”

“We’re already acquainted,” I grumbled.

McCay lifted an eyebrow in my direction. “Then get better acquainted.”

Fine. Noted. Do as the professor says, end of story.

Grumbling, I grabbed my backpack and the tea for Kate that was cooling by the second and dropped into the chair beside Addison. “Why did you even accept this understudy role?” I whispered to Addison, realizing that ever since she joined the class, I hadn’t really spoken with her in any length. “I thought you were a dance major.”

“I’m a performing arts major with an emphasis in dance,” she said. “Whether I’m dancing on Broadway or at the New York Ballet, I don’t care. I figured I should round out my resume.”

“And Method Acting 101 was the class you randomly thought to do it in? You’re so full of shit, your eyes are brown.”

She snorted. “As you also discovered, most of the theater classes were already full. Plus, hearing you and Kate talk about this show intrigued me?—”

“You saw an opportunity,” I finished the thought for her, shaking my head.

“I’m always looking for my opportunities, Holden.” With a smirk, she plucked the tea from my grasp, taking a sip before I could stop her.

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