Page 59 of Footlights and Forever

“And for you, man, I think you always felt a certain level of obligation to protect him. I think you loved each other but you have to ask yourself, even if you both started out on the same path, can you truly say that you are both still on that same path?”

“He’s my everything, man.” I slowly peeled the label from the glass bottle in my hands.

“That’s my point Austin.” He reached across and pulled the bottle from between my fingers, and rested a hand over my own. “You have an opportunity for something great, and I can see that you’re concerned Dylan will not like what that opportunity might entail for you both. It’s also worrying that I don’t know whether you would turn down this opportunity if Dylan decided it wasn’t something he could support right now.”

Was he right? Was I worried that my big break might have to be put on hold if it wasn’t right for the both of us? I’d already missed out on the role of a lifetime because of my relationship, and here I was again with the possibility of something great before me, but faced with the possibility of having to say no if it wasn’t beneficial for us both.

“I want you to do great things, bro.” Kyle shook my fist. “You’re destined for the stars, you know?”

“So what do I do?”

“It’s simple, really. You need to ask yourself one question. If you have to turn down this opportunity of a lifetime, will you be able to live with that, or will you resent him for it?”

“Dylan would never tell me to turn it down.” I shook my head.

“He wouldn’t have to though, would he?” Kyle smiled tightly. “Also, it sounds as if Dylan is doing something he loves. Would you really want to take that from him? Will he get this chance to do what he has worked so hard for again?”

“I don’t know what to do.”

“Well, luckily you don’t have to decide anything right now. It’s nearly morning, and you need to get some sleep. I have never made no good decisions before the sun comes up. Get some sleep and think about it with a clear head.”

“You’re right.” I yawned. “I’m lucky to have you.”

“Damn straight.” Kyle grinned. “Now get.”

I took a little while to finally fall asleep after I curled up in bed. Questions swirled in my head, with answers that I don’t want to look at because I feared what it would mean for the rest of my life.

Chapter 21

“Now I have to remember you for longer than I have known you.” - C.C. Aurel

Dylan

This isn’t my bed, was the first panicked thought that ran through my head as my eyes peeled open in the harsh morning light which streamed through unfamiliar shutters on windows that I had never seen before. The heavy pounding in my brain and the intense dry mouth quickly informed me I’d definitely drank too much the night before. I looked around the room, my eyes catching on a lacquered black and gold patterned Chinese dresser. I spotted a TV that had been mounted on the wall at the foot of the bed. A series of t-shirts and shirts adorned a metal rail in the corner of the room.

What the hell did I do last night?Through the pounding of my skull, memories of the cast party and the long train ride home pushed to the front. I groaned and threw my arm over my eyes. Mainly to block the beams of death rays coming through thewindow, but also to force away the offending memories of the night before.

What the fuck had I done? Sure, Austin had been a little selfish by just leaving me at a party, but networking was good for his career. Had I just overreacted and gotten drunk out of spite? What would he be thinking this morning, and was he worrying about where I was?

“You’re awake,” a deep familiar voice boomed across the room.

“Holy fuck!” I yelped, pulling up the white cotton sheets that had pooled around my waist up over my chest up to my neck, like a startled woman covering my non-existent breasts. Standing at the door with nothing on but a towel around his waist was Darren from the coffee shop.

“Oh my god Darren, what the fuck are you doing in here?” I pulled the sheet tighter around myself, glaring at the amused expression on Darren’s face.

“Well, I mean I own the whole house, and this is my bedroom,” he laughed.

“YOURbedroom?” I squealed. “Please god tell me we didn’t…”

He laughed again, perching at the end of the mattress, reaching across the bed and rubbing my calf. I grimaced, pulling back slightly. His fingertips gripped my skin and held me in place.

“Dylan, you rocked my world.” He grinned seductively.

“Oh my God!” I wailed. I looked underneath the covers and was happily surprised to find I was wearing at least some form of underwear. Scrabbling over to the other side of the bed in desperation, I pulled the sheet with me, wrapping it around my waist While leaning over the edge of the bed in search of some clothing.

“Dylan!” I heard him laugh behind me. “I’m joking, man, calm the fuck down.”

I gathered the sheets around me once more and turned towards him tentatively. “So we didn’t?”

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