Page 39 of Curtain Call
“I know you were figuring things out.”
“Still, it wasn’t right for me to hurt you along the way.”
Riley picks up Colin’s chin and kisses him. It was slow. It was passionate. Colin knows this one will burn for hours.
Scene 14
Setting: Boston Symphony Hall
Boston, Massachusetts
Colin
Riley and Jax were already at the symphony hall helping to get the kids ready when Colin dropped Mac off at the front entrance, which was covered in green and red strip lights and garlands. He wasn’t sure where to park, and Colin didn’t think having her walk several blocks in heels and a skirt was a good idea, especially since the temperature dropped below freezing. He’s always amazed at how manly her work is yet when she cleans up, she’s so feminine.
Once Colin made his way into the lobby, he hands his ticket to one of the ushers standing next to what looked like a twelve-foot Christmas tree. It’s decorated in gold, red, and green, and not nearly as pretty as the one he decorated with Riley and Mac at his own theater. He might be a bit biased. He took out his phone and snapped the photo anyway. There is an electric energy in the air and the first time he has felt the Christmas spirit since he lost his parents.
The usher guided Colin down a long hallway and into a left entrance to his orchestra table. Mac was already seated and waiting. He remembers the hall from earlier during rehearsal and it was nothing like this. The boxes of decorations were now hung on display for everyone to admire. Fairy lights sparkled everywhere through a dimly lit theater. Colin was taken aback by the magic of the lighting technicians, and it gave him an idea for his own little theater.
As Colin looks around taking it all in, he notices above their heads, lining the main hall, are the Greek statues, each decorated with a scarf and Santa hat. He grins remembering the surprise of them when he visited Riley at rehearsals. Only a few statues were decorated at the time. Rows of seats and tables were strategically placed around the hall and waitstaff in all black were already delivering orders the patrons made from the QR codes on the tables.
“Should we order drinks for the table,” Mac asks him.
“Yes, please.”
Mac scans the code and orders a bottle of wine for the table. It comes in a bucket of ice, and she thinks it’s a great way to commemorate the evening.
“These are fantastic seats Jax scored for us,” she comments referencing the proximity to the stage.
Their table is in the third row on the right side of the stage, but not too far right where they can see behind the curtain on the opposite side. A few orchestra members are already on stage warming up their instruments when Riley and Jax make their way to the table to join their party.
Mac stands to give Jax a kiss and a hug.
“You look fantastic,” Jax comments on Mac’s black lace dress.
“Thanks, babe. And this jacket is everything,” she tells him while rubbing her hand down the lapel of his gold and black brocade coat.
“Hi,” Riley stands looking at Colin who’s in a black suit, black shirt, and no tie. It’s been a while since Riley has seen Colin dressed up. He likes it.
“Hey handsome,” Colin takes a step closer pulling Riley into a hug. “I can’t wait to see what you and Jax did with the kids.”
“Well, mostly me,” he jokes while looking over at Jax, who missed the insult since he was busy whispering something in Mac’s ear while she giggled like a schoolgirl.
The four of them sat for a little bit while enjoying the now-delivered bottle of wine. Riley and Jax both only take a few sips. Riley thought it would take the edge off. After a few minutes of fun banter, Riley and Jax excuse themselves.
“We need to go make sure the kids are all lined up and ready. See you in a few minutes,” Jax tells Mac and Colin before they are both standing. Riley leans over and gives Colin a kiss on the cheek and a wink before the exit to the right of the theater.
“Looks like it’s just the two of us,” Colin tells Mac.
“And I love spending time with you,” she tells him before lying her head on his shoulder briefly. “So, not to pry, but are you getting Riley anything special for Christmas?”
Crap. Colin hasn’t even thought about gifts with all that has been going on. He had just been enjoying Riley’s company and the two of them spending time together. It totally slipped his mind.
“Well, we haven’t actually discussed it,” he informs her. “Are you getting Jax anything?”
“I thought I would take them on a date and buy them a little souvenir to commemorate the day. It’s so new, that I feel like exchanging gifts is too soon.”
“Good point, but I have known Riley for a long time. Do you think he’s expecting something?”
