Page 53 of Something Cheeky

Realizing that Derek wouldn’t entertain his suggestion, the man pressed his lips together.

“Right. You’re the boss,” Greg said after a beat.

“You remind me of that all the time, but you don’t like any of my decisions.” Derek straightened his spine and said firmly, “You said you’d trust me.”

“I know you want to make a name for yourself by doing never-done-before things. My suggestions are backed up by thirty years of experience.” Greg crossed his arms.

“I appreciate your concern.” Derek kept his face expressionless.

While he didn’t care for the artistic director’s advice, he didn’t want to alienate him either. Derek couldn’t remember his mentor being so pushy. But maybe he’d never noticed because this was thefirst time Derek was in complete control over a production instead of working as Greg’s assistant.

It was time to put more distance between the two of them. Derek needed to make a name for himself without Greg’s mentorship. He wasn’t sure if their values still aligned.

“I’m only telling you this because it’ll be easier to move people around at the beginning,” Greg said. “You’re like a son to me. I only want you to succeed, Derek.”

“I know you do.”

“Look, I haven’t told anyone, but”—Greg leaned in closer to Derek—“I plan on retiring in five or six years. And I want to recommend you as my successor.”

“Seriously?” Derek blinked.

A series of scenes played through his head. A position like this would allow him to commission work by more playwrights of color. He’d have a steady job—with benefits—instead of relying on getting enough freelance work to qualify for health insurance through the union. Not only that, but with the lower cost of living here, he could definitely afford to take care of his mother.

Derek stopped his runaway thoughts. Greg had said five years. A lot could happen between now and then.

“Why do you think they’d hire me to run the biggest theater in DC?” he pressed. Greg had dangled carrots in the past but they often fell through for one reason or another outside his mentor’s control. At least that’s what the man told him.

“I’ve taught you everything I know, haven’t I? Besides, the board loves me and will hire anyone I tell them to,” Greg said with more confidence than Derek had ever heard.

Derek nodded cautiously.

“Don’t you want them to love you?”

“I want them to love the show,” Derek admitted truthfully. “Thismusical is bigger than me. It’s time for Asian Americans to have something besidesMiss Saigonto aim for.”

“You’re excited about this production, but don’t forget that no one knows who you are yet. I can help you and your career explode.”

Now Greg was repeating himself. Derek needed to extract himself before the man started recalling the “back in my day” stories.

“Look at the time,” Derek said as he showed the man his phone. “I need to help Th?o prep for our table read and sing through.”

Derek took a step around the man, who had walked him back against a wall. Greg put a hand out to stop him.

“I’m serious, Derek. In five years this could all be yours if you learn how to play the game.”

“I’ll think about it,” Derek said in a tone that indicated their conversation was finished. This time Greg let him leave the alcove.

Whatever relief he’d had at the beginning of that conversation was now replaced with anxious hope. He didn’t like who he became around Greg, but the man had gotten him this far. What’s another five years if he could finally snag a dream job that would give him everything he wanted? Professionally at least.

Thankfully, Greg had no hand in Derek’s relationship with Zoe.

Chapter 24

“I can’t believe I let you drag me out here,” Zoe complained to TJ. “I should go home and check on Mr. Bobbins.”

The pub was packed for a Wednesday night. Their table was littered with empty and half-full cocktail glasses, some of which were theirs and others were from the other designers who’d left early. Clearly the pub hadn’t expected to be this busy on a Wednesday night and were short-staffed.

“Trixie promised she’d take care of your cat,” TJ reminded her.

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