Page 27 of After Midnight

“How did they end up performing in this place?” I blurted, my politeness filter obviously broken.

She shrugged, thankfully ignoring my idiotic mouth. “I have no idea, but the fact they’re here certainly went a long way in Mr. Foreman’s decision to purchase the club.”

Now things began to make sense. I knew Ashton and Kaitlyn were talented and had been my favorites since I’d started working here, but I had no idea they were famous. I actually felt a little guilty about that, and wondered if my ignorance had been apparent in our past conversations.

“What about Feldman? Isn’t he better than me?” I asked, again without thinking.

“He’s incredibly talented and will be taking classes as well, but Mr. Foreman has recruited him for the headquarters in Chicago. His last performance here will be next Saturday.”

My mouth dropped open. I wasn’t sure how many more bombshells I could take without my brain exploding. Everyonewho cared about such things knew Third County’s Chicago club was often the springboard to some of the biggest comedy shows in the nation, includingSaturday Night Live. Of course, not everyone made it. I pretty much knew I wouldn’t, but others did and I would bet on Feldman one day counting himself among them.

“Sweet,” I managed to get out. It sounded like more of a squeak, really.

Jolie then scooted me out of her office, but before completely dismissing me, she said, “I’ll email you a class schedule. Sign up when you have time, then I’ll make arrangements with your teachers so we can film you and you can watch the other performers on the big screen in the back.”

I nodded and turned to leave, but before I’d gone three steps, I heard Papa K’s voice in my head preaching about manners. I took a breath, then turned back and said, “Thanks, this is a huge honor.”

Jolie smiled and returned to her desk.

When I got home, I rushed to the kitchen, where I was sure to find Papa K. He laughed in surprise when I spun him around in a huge hug. “Where’s Dad?” I asked.

“I’m here. What’s all the commotion about?” he asked, then barked out a laugh when I tackled him with a hug too. All the excitement had clearly made me lose my head. I’d forgotten how big Dad was and I nearly pulled a muscle spinning him around.

“I’ve been invited to attend the Third County School of Improv. I’m going to be learning from the best of the best of the best!” I exclaimed, getting a chuckle from both my fathers.

“That’s awesome, honey. Isn’t that what you said you wanted?” Papa K asked. I could tell he was trying to remember all the times I’d told him what I wanted my career path to look like.

“It’s exactly what I wanted to happen,” I said. “But I figured I’d have to relocate and beg them to let me in. It’s so freakingcompetitive. Usually, you have to have a couple years under your belt before they’ll even consider you. Then the school bought out the club, and Ashton and Kaitlyn were stars, which I didn’t know, and then next thing I know, I’m seen by JohnfreakingForeman, who wants me in the school, and even if I’d been, like, the best, it’s unlikely anyone would’ve ever seen me, so I’m like the luckiest man to ever live.” Eventually, I had to stop for breath, and my eyes found theirs.

Both my dads stared at me, no doubt trying to digest my ramblings. That made me laugh hysterically before I said, “It’s a freaking amazing opportunity!”

They wrapped me in a group hug and let me carry on for another half hour about how miraculous this whole thing was and how lucky I was to get the chance. This time, I remembered to breathe.

Papa K put away all the food he was preparing and decided to take us out to eat at the Repertoire, a new hoity-toity restaurant that had recently opened downtown, to celebrate the occasion.

I felt a bit guilty and a tinge of regret as we rode toward the restaurant. I loved my dads and was so thankful they had my back, but damn, I wished I had someone special to curl into and celebrate this accomplishment with in private. My mind immediately flashed to a proud-looking Dominic, his piercing green eyes dancing and handsome face splitting into a huge smile upon hearing my big news. I quickly shook off the thought, determined not to let myself go down that rabbit hole. At least, not tonight.

I knew I sucked at relationships, but I also knew Dominic was special. Sure, we’d only had the one date, but I blamed that more on busy schedules and all hell breaking loose in his life than him not being interested. He was still interested, right? God, did that creeping insecurity sound as pathetic as I think it does?Yes, Dillon,I thought to myself,it really does!

The place was busy. Waiters in tuxedos dashed between tables, and diners dressed in evening wear befitting any fancy New York restaurant sat around making small talk.

We were in full-out celebration mode at our table when a tall and striking yet severe-looking blonde woman approached us. I immediately felt cold, as though ice was sliding up and down my spine. Something didn’t feel quite right about her but before I could give it any thought, a man I recognized stepped around her. Dad and Papa K stood to shake his hand.

“Roger, it’s a pleasure to see you again,” Papa K said. “Tell me, who is the beautiful woman you’ve got on your arm?” Papa K had long ago been dubbedThe Snooty Whispererby my dad for his ability to schmooze with rich folks, and the couple lapped it up.

“This is Margarette Shipley. Margarette, this is Kalen and Allen Pearson and their son, Dillon.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Margarette,” Dad said. She smiled at us but it didn’t seem genuine. The look of cold indifference never left her eyes.

“We’re just celebrating our son getting into the Third County School of Improv,” Papa K informed them. That earned him a hard look from Dad before he schooled his features and turned back to the couple. Dad liked to keep personal matters private. Even though Papa K seemed to always have his finger on the pulse of Denver’s elite, my other father always strove for privacy. As a result, they’d become a fairly well-known couple in social circles without anyone but close friends really knowing much about them.

“That sounds lovely,” Margarette said, sounding so phony I almost laughed. I could recognize condescension a mile away, and this woman was clearly an expert at looking down on others. I’d only met Roger Miller a time or two, but he’d always seemed like a nice man and I instantly felt bad for him.

“Congratulations, Dillon,” he said, sounding genuine, before returning his attention to my fathers. “It was fortuitous I ran into you two tonight. I want to take you up on the invitation to your Valentine’s Day Gala this year. Provided the offer is still open, I would like to attend with a plus-one.” It went without saying who his plus-one would be.

“Well, for you, Roger, it’s always an open invitation,” Papa K said. Had I been a few years younger, I probably would’ve gagged. Now, though, I admired Papa K’s ability to charm the pants off people.

Roger Miller smiled, made his excuses, and escorted the woman back to their own table.

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