Page 28 of Risk It All

“Oh, sorry, I thought that you knew.Did you hear back from your audition yet?”she asks as she straightens her purse strap on her shoulder.

“Yeah, I didn’t get it, but I can audition again in a few weeks.”

“Oh, Anthony.I’m so sorry.I’m sure you’ll get it next time.You were hilarious.”

“Thanks, Eden,” I say, hoping that she’s done talking so that I can escape to my room.

“You know that you’re welcome to stay here for as long as you need to.”

“Does Alexander know that you just said that?”I tease, trying to lighten the mood and she laughs.

“I can handle your brother.I’m actually running late to meet him now.I’ll let you relax.There’s food in the fridge!”she calls as she steps onto the elevator.

I wave at her as the doors close and then jog up the stairs and into the room that I had been sharing with Emerson.

Her suitcase is gone, her clothes too and I want to scream.

My phone rings in my pocket and I pray that it’s her.Theo’s name flashes on the screen and I answer, knowing that I need to tell him about the audition and my new plans.

“Hey, man,” I say as I pick up.

“Hey, how’s it going?”he asks and I can hear the Los Angeles traffic in the background.

“Alright.I didn’t get the spot but I can try again in a few weeks,” I blurt, ripping off the band-aid.

“Shit, that sucks, man.At least you get to try again soon.”

“Yeah, hopefully the second time’s the charm.”

“Right?”Theo asks with a laugh and the traffic quiets, so he must have walked into a building.

“Are you going to stay in New York?Work on your comedy there for a little bit?”

I still haven’t decided.Part of me wants to run back to Los Angeles but I know that if I want to be successful, then I need to stay here and try again.

“Yeah, I think so.”

“Good.”

“That means we won’t be able to move out here together for a few weeks,” I warn him, wondering how he’s going to take the news.

“That actually works better for me.I got a contract to shoot in Paris for the next two weeks and then I’m headed to Australia for a week.I won’t be back in Los Angeles and ready to move to New York until the end of the month.”

“Perfect timing then.Are you doing Fashion Week?”

I only half listen as Theo tells me about the shoots that he booked.I can hear the excitement in his voice and I want to be happy for him but I keep thinking about how everyone is reaching that next level and I’m just left here.

“How’s Emerson?”Theo asks and I’m jerked out of my pity party.

My mouth opens but just like last night, no words come out.

“Anthony?”Theo asks after a minute and I swallow hard.

“I don’t know,” I say truthfully.

Silence hangs in the air between us and I know that he can read my melancholy mood.

“I have a layover in New York in a few days.Do you want me to bring any of your stuff and we can meet at the airport?”he asks me, throwing me a lifesaver and changing the subject.

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