Page 40 of Cage

The storm still hadn’t broken, and the heat was stifling.

Wiping away the sweat from her forehead, Katie spoke.

‘The thing is, I’ve always dreamed of being on Broadway myself,’ Katie said. ‘Being here and seeing this play was incredible. I loved it more than a million marshmallows. But the thing is…’

Katie was struggling to finish her sentence.

She could feel her bottom lip trembling a little bit.

This was embarrassing.

‘Hey, come on, it’s okay,’ Cage said. ‘I get it. You wanted to be up on that stage. That makes sense. Instead of being upset, why not use it as motivation?’

‘Huh?’

‘I mean, take this experience for what it is,’ Cage said. ‘You were checking out the talent out there. Seeing how you compare. I’ve never seen you act but I know for sure that you’ve got it in you.If Broadway is what you want, you’ll make it. And I’ll be there every step of the way with you. Right?’

I’m so lucky.

Cage always knows what to say…

‘You’re right,’ Katie said, a hint of resolve in her voice. ‘I will use it as motivation!’

Katie felt so much better.

And all it took was a twenty second pep-talk from Cage.

Holding hands, the pair of them took a short walk down the block and sought refuge in a bar that Katie knew had super-good aircon.

Cage drank a cold beer while Katie opted for a crushed-ice apple and mango juice.

‘OMG, this is too good,’ Katie squealed.

She had practically downed the entire drink in less than ten seconds.

‘Hmmm, I’ll get you another,’ Cage said. ‘But next time, make it last. Got it?’

‘Yes, Sir!’ Katie said, a little giddy from the cold juice.

As Cage waited to be served at the busy bar, Katie took her cell phone out to have a quick look.

There was a message from Cassie.

CASSIE: Tell me everything!!! I neeeeeed to know the deets!!!! This sounds tooooo exciting!!!! Gotta go, working on finishing the latest webcomic by tonight’s deadline. XoXo

Katie loved to see how well Cassie’s webcomic was doing. It brought a lot of pride and self-worth for Cassie. Katie wished she could feel the same about her work.

Maybe with Cage’s support she would be able to achieve her Broadway dreams.

It may have been the sugary juice talking, but in that moment anything seemed possible.

Katie watched as Cage spoke with the barman.

There was something so assured about how Cage carried himself.

He was confident, but not arrogant.

In control, but not rude or obnoxious.

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