Page 31 of Curtain Call
The two groups join together for a while, but Colin has an important meeting in the morning. He has one last shot with an investor to help save his theater, and he can’t ruin it by getting drunk tonight. He figures that he will let Riley drink enough for the two of them and be sure he gets home safely.
He’s never seen Riley drink like this. In fact, thinking back over the course of the evening, Riley hasn’t had that many drinks. Especially to bethistipsy. Colin wonders if Riley skipped dinner. If he did, he would have nothing in his system to absorb the alcohol.
“Dance with me,” Riley’s words are slurred as he whispers in Colin’s ear.
“Here?”
“Why not? I want to be alone with you for just a few minutes.”
Colin’s not sure a straight bar in Boston is the best place to have two guys showing affection, but if Riley’s hands are on him, they aren’t holding a drink. Colin figures it’s a win either way. The more Colin thinks about it, Boston, in general, is a pretty liberal city and nobody will care that his hands are on another guy.
Leading Colin to a makeshift dance floor, Riley puts his arms around Colin’s back, and they are now standing face to face, chest to chest. Colin puts his arms around Riley’s waist and pulls him in tight. It was the first time Colin had really felt Riley’s body this close to his since high school when he was the big spoon. He doesn’t think hugging at the museum counted. His body heats up instantly and there is electricity buzzing around the air between them.
Colin also realizes Riley is a lot thinner than he was in high school too. The weight loss could be part of the reason Riley is so drunk off four drinks. Strings tug from his chest to his back and Colin knows something isn’t right. His intuition was right the last time, and he knows something is going on with Riley again. But if he goes there. If he mentions,it. Colin knows it could be the end of their friendship. It could also be the end of them as a couple.
“Stop looking so serious,” Riley teases him and squeezes tight. “I just lo-“
Riley doesn’t finish that last part as his knees weaken and Colin is now bearing most of his weight.
“Let’s take you outside to get some air.”
Colin flags down Mac with his free hand for help without making it obvious to everyone around them. Mac knows. She has always known. Colin will be there for Riley no matter what. He will catch him when he falls and he will help him shine. But there is an underlying concern as they make their way through the crowded bar. Everyone is so wrapped up in their own conversations and hazy brains that they don’t notice Mac and Colin practically carrying Riley outside.
“Lean up here,” Mac mentions while placing Riley against the wrought iron railing protecting the landscape next to the bar.
Jax is standing behind Mac now and looking concerned. He’s never seen Riley drink like this. Maybe one or two drinks if they go out but never drunk and unable to walk.
“He’s fine, just too much to drink,” Colin says to Jax trying to ease their mind. “Jax, would you give Mac a ride while I will handle this one?” Colin tightens his grip around Riley’s waist.
Riley moans.
“Of course. I was going to ask you anyways,” they whispered to Mac outside of earshot of Colin.
Mac grins.
“Come on Riley, let’s get you to the car and you can crash at my place like old times,” Colin tells him not knowing if Riley is comprehending this conversation.
Old times meant they would share a bed. Old times meant that Riley would be the little spoon. Old times meant that Riley would wake up to find Colin on the couch. Old times meant Colin would act strange for a few days.
Riley takes a step to follow him before stopping.
“Waaaaiit,” Riley tells him with words stumbling worse than his feet. “You are so cute. Why are you soooooo cute?”
Colin continues holding Riley by the waist and presses his body closer, more out of necessity at this point. Riley’s hipbone presses into Colin’s hip right before he goes in for a kiss. When their lips connect, Riley expects heat and passion to take over the moment. That wasn’t the case. What he received was a kiss that Colin didn’t return.
Scene 12
Setting: 19 Willow Street
Rockport, Massachusetts
Riley
Riley wakes up with a pounding headache. He rolls over on his back and stretches out and realizes the other side of Colin’s bed is cool to the touch. In fact, the pillows haven’t been touched either as they are smooth and not imprinted.
Riley squeezes his eyes shut trying to remember last night. It comes back to him in pieces. He remembers talking to Tiffany. He remembers stumbling as she put her hand in his pocket to discreetly hold him steady. He thinks she’s annoying, but she does have a motherly instinct to protect her cast mates. He remembers Jax showing up at some point in the night, and that he danced with Colin.
Colin.
