Page 21 of Thrown

“I know,” he said, rolling his shoulders and pretending it was because they were sore from the joust. “I definitely know that.”

He peeked to the side and found Tillman staring at him with a frown. Because of course he would frown.

Without thinking, Robbie sent Tillman a sharp look in return, as if he had no business having any sort of opinion on his personal life.

That was also a mistake. When Robbie turned his attention back to his dad, Dad was watching both him and Tillman with far too much of a sparkle in his eyes.

That mischief remained, even when he said, “Tell me more about this television show.”

Robbie sighed and rubbed a hand over his face, clearing away the sweat and dirt from the jousting game, but also trying to wipe away the tangle of feelings that he didn’t have the time or the interest in feeling.

“They contacted me last year to ask whether I’d be interested in guest judging,” he said, walking away from the jousting arena, his dad on one side and, much to his frustration, Tillman on the other. “I told them I was interested, and they said they’d set something up for next season.”

“When do they film?” Tillman asked.

Robbie couldn’t tell if he was actually interested or if he was simply trying to impress Dad by joining the conversation.

A sore and grasping part of him hoped he was taking a genuine interest.

“In the late winter and early spring,” he replied. “They’ve only got a few episodes of this season left to film. That’s why they needed a quick, last-minute replacement for whoever dropped out.”

“I, for one, think this is a fantastic opportunity,” Dad said, flushed with excitement. “Not only will this give you an exceptional amount of visibility, I’m sure it will advance your career as well.”

“And it will help the family,” Robbie insisted. “I’ll see if I can get them to mention the Hawthorne Community Arts Center when they introduce me.”

“There’s a fair chance they’ll list you on their website when the episode airs,” Tillman said. “You could ask that they includea link to Hawthorne House’s website along with any to your social media accounts or websites.”

Both Robbie and his dad slowed their steps and turned to look at Tillman.

“That’s an excellent idea,” Dad said. “We could definitely use that sort of publicity.”

Whatever impulse Robbie had to argue with Tillman, even though he agreed with the idea and planned to ask the production company about it, his dad’s suddenly serious demeanor shifted his thoughts entirely.

“Why?” he asked. “Is something wrong?”

His dad shrugged as they walked on, nearing the edge of the street where the shops and workshops stood. “Today’s ticket office total isn’t what I was hoping it would be.”

Worry immediately filled Robbie’s insides. He hadn’t really noticed that the crowd was thinner than during past weekends, but then, he’d had far too many other things on his mind.

“How bad is it?” he asked.

“Not catastrophic,” his dad said. “But we’ll need to do better if we want to stand a chance of fighting off Willoughby Entertainment.”

The old, familiar pinch of financial anxiety stole Robbie’s breath for a moment. He hated to think what would happen when the day came that the ticket office take was so low they had to shut down the Renaissance weekends entirely.

And yet, as terrifying as that prospect was, everything Tillman had said to him whispered at the back of his head. The worst that would happen to him and the family is that they would lose their ancestral home, but gain millions of dollars in the process. Even the worst loss they could sustain wouldn’t ruin them. Some might see it as a blessing.

He glanced to Tillman, who looked more concerned for Dad than anything else. Robbie didn’t have the first clue what it must feel like to be one step away from homelessness and starvation.

“Filming is in Staffordshire,” Robbie said, his heart racing over the bold move he was about to make. “I’ll be up there overnight at least, maybe two nights.”

He paused, second-guessing his idea for a moment, then turning to Tillman.

“You might want to come with me,” he said, astounded the words had made it past his lips.

“Go with you?” Tillman screwed his face up, not so much like Robbie had insulted him, but like he’d suggested Tillman try sea urchin or some other exotic food he was certain he wouldn’t like. “Whatever for?”

Robbie was well aware of the sharp way his dad watched him and the grin he couldn’t entirely hide.

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