Page 38 of Curtain Call
“Bye.”
Riley walks up to the stage and stands off toward the side stairs. He sees Mac and Jax together and feels like they probably could have handled this on their own.
“All right thespians, come explore your set,” Jax calls out to the eager teens sitting in the first three rows.
“But don’t touch anything yet. We will show you how it all works later today,” Mac adds.
As the teens fill the stage, some gather to practice a few dance moves while imagining a filled house. Riley recognizes the look. He remembers the feeling of being a teen on that same stage once. It was like being home. Of all the theaters he has performed in, this one was his favorite. It was the one he, Colin, and Mac became best friends in during their high school days. It was the one that held so many secrets and memories. He can’t imagine this theater is about to have its final curtain.
“Hey, Riley,” Mac calls over, “why don’t you go see if Colin needs some help.”
“You sure?”
“We can handle this,” Jax adds.
“Sounds good.”
Riley makes his way up the back stairs and notices the lighting booth door is ajar. He slowly opens the door and Colin is standing behind the lighting panel with his sleeves halfway rolled up his forearms. He turns a few knobs to warm up the stage lights. Off to the side of him is a binder with a lot of markings on it. It’s the script with his handwritten notes of which lights to use and when. Riley remembers seeing it on his desk a few days ago.
“Need some help?” Riley asks.
“Sure,” Colin smiles his easy smile while looking up at Riley.
“They’re going to start in about five minutes. Can we talk?” Riley’s voice is low. Solemn.
“That doesn’t sound reassuring.”
“It’s not bad, just want to clear the air about last night.”
Riley walks over and sits in a chair near Colin. The lighting panel rests on an adjustable table. During long shows, Colin likes to be able to stand or sit throughout the performance, so he doesn’t get too tired.
“I’m not sure I can do this again, Colin,” Riley tells him.
His heart aches at the thought and even more when those words escape his mouth.
“Riley, I know last night was not what you had in mind. But you have it all wrong,” Colin tries to console him.
“Then tell me. Why didn’t you sleep with me? And I’m not talking sex, but you didn’t even share the same bed.”
“We did.”
“What?”
Colin tells Riley about the spooning and the one-sided intimacy. He also tells him that he kissed him good night before he made his way to the guestroom.
“Riley, you were so drunk, and I didn’t want anything to happen while you were in that state. When we do, and I hope we do, get intimate, I want it to be special. I want you to remember it.”
Riley stares at Colin blankly.
“Kissing you drunk was not the same as kissing you sober. Trust me, your lips on mine are like fire. I can feel the burn long after. You are my favorite taste. But it lacked passion. Your passion. Something was missing and I knew, no matter how much I wanted to make love to you, I couldn’t because you weren’t fully there. And I need you to be there. In the moment, with me.”
“I thought you had doubts,” Riley tells him. “When I woke up this morning, it felt like high school all over again. I felt like I was being rejected. Honestly, I don’t know if my heart can take being rejected by you.”
“Riley,” Colin whispers with wet eyes, “you mean the world to me. Always have.”
Colin takes a step forward and kneels in between Riley’s legs. He wraps his arms around Riley and lays his head on his chest. Riley gives in and holds him back.
“I’m so sorry for all the times I hurt you,” Colin says into Riley’s chest.
