Page 25 of Curtain Call
“I’m literally standing right here,” Colin protests at the teasing while checking his watch. “Crap. Gotta run.”
Colin jumps off the stage and is already halfway up the aisle. He gives Mac a grin and a wink as he passes her.
“Where are you running off to?” Mac demands. “Is it something I said?”
“It’s always something you say,” he teases back. “Phone call meeting with some investors in five. I’m sure the two of you can entertain yourselves while I’m tied up.”
“Nowthatsounds like a good time to me,” Mac says while looking at Riley’s face which has become blushed at the comment and imagery.
Colin exits the double doors and heads toward his office hoping this phone call will help save the theater.
Riley
Riley sits on the edge of the stage with his feet swinging toward the floor. He stares at Mac for a minute admiring her natural beauty. She is not one who needs to wear a pound of makeup and contour to the Gods to be pretty. She just is. Her hair is pulled up in a high ponytail and her pink flannel is fitted with tight jeans and work boots. She’s hot. In a sexy way, hot.
“What are you grinning about? And staring at?” Mac asks as she makes her way toward the stage.
“Just thinking about how you’re so beautiful?”
“Sorry sweetie, you’re on the wrong team,” Mac squeezes his knee before jumping up on the stage to sit next to him.
“Technically aren’t you on the wrong team too?”
“Technically,” she adds a little sarcasm, “I play for both teams. I just love, love.”
She bumps into Riley’s shoulder with hers before laughter fills the stage.
“That is the cheesiest thing I’ve heard in a long time...and I’m in theater.”
Mac and Riley sit and chat for a while. Riley fills her in about the audition and how Colin has offered to help him run lines later. He’s not sure he wants to do it, but the audition process and practice would be good. Even if he was offered the role doesn’t mean he needs to accept it. However, if he turned down a leading role, he fears that word could get out, and he wouldn’t be offered other leading parts.
“Speaking of helping, would you mind giving me a hand on this set piece?”
“Sure.”
Riley stood up to help Mac and his head started to spin. The stage became blurry as his forehead became cold and clammy. The signs were familiar to him. Riley sat down instantly and put his head between his knees and took a few deep breaths.
“Riley?” Mac’s concerned voice hit him hard.
Riley held up his hand to signal he was OK but he didn’t want to talk right now. Mac walks over to him and rubs his back but stays silent. She knew her touch wasn’t the same as Colin’s but offered it in hopes that he knew she was there to support him. He did. After a few minutes, Mac walked to a cooler that was backstage and returned with a cold bottle of water. She placed it on the back of his neck causing Riley’s body to involuntary quiver.
“Sorry,” Mac tells him as she unscrews the lid. “Take a sip. You could be dehydrated.”
Mac didn’t believe that for a second, but she wasn’t going to pry. Not right now. She knows that Riley struggles with body issues, but she also knows what he needs right now is her support, not a lecture about his health.
“Thanks,” he tells her taking another sip letting the cool water slowly slide down his throat.
“Can we-” Riley doesn’t finish the sentence as he glances up and stares at the doors Colin exited earlier.
Mac knows that Riley doesn’t want anything to come between him and Colin again just as things are going well. She needs to make sure Riley has this under control. From Mac’s point of view, the news about the audition is not something she wants to celebrate. Riley being center stage, all eyes on him, will only escalate this.
“I’ve been so busy with the news today that I haven’t eaten, and my blood sugar must be low,” Riley offers up while taking Mac’s hand to stand on his feet.
“You good?” Mac squints at him trying to size him up.
“Yeah. Seriously, I’m fine.” Riley isn’t sure whom he’s trying to convince.
“How about we head to lunch.”
