Page 8 of Dramatic AF
Digging my phone out of my pocket, I brought up the delivery app and navigated to my list of saved restaurants. I added a couple of my favorite rolls to the cart, along with two appetizers, a cup of miso soup, and two citrus teas.
“It’s going to take a while,” I informed him once I had placed the order. “If you want to go over your lines, I’ll let you know when it gets here.”
Instead of an easy acceptance, he sat up and looked at me with soft eyes and a pouty bottom lip. “Everyone has already gone home for the day.”
“Can’t you practice by yourself?”
He shook his head, making his dark hair swish across his brow. “It’s not the same.”
“Maybe one of the crew will help.”
He shook his head again, his pout growing more pronounced. “They’re busy. You could do it, though.”
“Me?” I huffed out a surprised laugh at the ludicrous suggestion. “I’m no actor.”
“That’s okay.” Doubling over, he dug through his bag on the floor, coming back with a stack of stapled papers. “All you have to do is read Korin’s part.”
“Jayden, I don’t know.”
“I promise it’s easy,” he insisted, nudging the script closer when I hesitated. “Just read what it says, and I’ll do the rest.”
Reluctantly, I took it, noting the warmth of the pages from his hand and the creases at the corners, evidence of countless hours spent pouring over the scenes. I glanced at the highlighted lines, then to the stage, my stomach fluttering with nerves.
“We can stay right here,” he assured me, following my gaze and interpreting my expression correctly. “You don’t even have to get out of your seat.”
I took small comfort in the knowledge that he would be the only witness to my inevitable embarrassment. He looked so hopeful, though, so sincere, and I found myself nodding without meaning to.
“Is that a yes?”
“Fine,” I relented, rolling my eyes and settling back against the cushions. “But it’s going to be terrible. Don’t laugh.”
His face lit up with triumph. “Promise.” He shifted around in his seat to face me and rested his hands in his lap. “Okay, from the top. Act Three. Scene Five.”
I found the page, cleared my throat, and met his expectant gaze. “You don’t belong here.”
Jayden’s lips twitched at my flat delivery, but he didn’t laugh. After a moment, he took my hand and leaned in, his expression a flawless mask of desperation.
“I belong with you.”
My heart jumped, and a spark of electricity sizzled across my skin where our palms met. Lost in his gaze, drowning in his scent, it took me a moment to gather my composure before I could recite the next line.
“This castle has been my prison for a long time. I won’t let it become yours too.”
“A self-imposed prison,” Jayden responded, his tone soft but with perfectly sharp edges. “We could leave this place. You and me.” He gripped my hand tighter and pulled it toward him, clutching it to his chest. “You don’t have to be alone.”
“You’re wrong.” My voice gentled, taking on a more rhythmic cadence now. “And it’s my curse to bear.”
Jayden positioned himself closer, his eyes glossy with unshed tears. “Then let me bear it with you.”
My heart crashed against my ribs, beating out a frantic tempo that pulsed into my throat. I swallowed thickly and looked down at the script again.
“You don’t know what you’re saying,” I read, my voice barely above a whisper now. “Just because I’m good to you doesn’t mean I’m a good person. I’m a monster, Bellan. You have no idea what I’m capable of.”
Pushing up on his knees, Jayden strained toward me, his lips a breath from mine as a single tear trekked down his cheek. “Then show me.”
I’d watched enough rehearsals to know what came next. All I had to do was tilt my head and close the distance. He wouldn’t stop me.
I pulled back and cleared my throat. “So, how was it?”
