Page 59 of Curtain Call
“Unexpected. I never thought in a million years I would meet someone who challenges me and worships me all at once,” she grins stupidly. “They send their love, obviously.”
“Obviously,” he jokes while leaning into her. “They have been such a good friend in New York and on tour. It’s still weird that you two are dating, but I couldn’t be happier.”
“Thanks, babe.”
Riley and Mac sit in the lounge and let their conversation flow effortlessly. He talks about his and Colin’s trip to the museum and sleeping together, although he leaves out the parts Mac really wants to hear. He tells her about their fight and the fact Colin noticed his eating disorder. His stomach flips as he chokes down the bile. He then tells her about the audition and, well, his mood takes a turn. Mac looks at him. No judgment.
“Riley,” she begins while squeezing his hand in hers, “you know your career isn’t over. This whole ‘vacation’ is just a minor setback. You will be back on your feet in no time. This experience will be another way for you to tap into your acting abilities.”
Riley thinks about it for a moment and lets her words resonate. He doesn’t respond. He doesn’t know what to say to that. He has been thinking of ways to alter the course of his career, but continuing to do what he loves. Since being here at the center, he feels something stirring but can’t pinpoint what it is. Could he be like Ms. Jackson or Jessica, and take his love for the theater and do something else? If he could, what would he do? Teach? He’s not credentialed. Would he have to get a teaching credential? Could he open his own studio somehow? Riley doesn’t feel like he could make enough money as a teaching assistant to survive on his own, but maybe he could move back home for a while. His parents would support that decision just to have him back in the same town.
The phone ringing in Mac’s bag brings him back into the room. Mac swipes up on the screen.
“Your ears must have been burning,” she says smiling at the screen.
“How was your visit with Riley,” Jax asks while keeping their voice reserved.
“Why don’t you ask him yourself?”
Mac turns the screen around and on the other side of the phone is Jax, looking well-rested for someone who is helping get a new show off the ground on Broadway. Were they still doing that?
“Riley, I miss you,” Jax tells him while using their stage smile. Their eyes are hiding something.
“I miss you, too.”
“How have you been?”
“I’m really focusing on getting healthy right now.”
“You look great, and I can’t wait to see you.”
“Me too,” Riley’s eyelashes are dewy. “Hey, Jax.”
“Yeah?”
“Sorry about the scare in New York. But, I’m glad you were there to make sure I was taken care of.”
“Me too,” Jax’s voice was strained. “I need to run, just wanted to check in with Mac, and I’m glad I got to talk to you too.”
“Bye, babes,” Riley tells them before Mac turns the phone back around. Her eyes widened as she looks at the screen and shakes her head.
Riley doesn’t hear what Jax says but feels this weird kind of energy in the air. It’s just going to take some time, he reminds himself.
“Love you,” Mac says before swiping up on the phone to end the call.
“Everything Ok?” Riley asks.
“Yeah, they’re just busy with work. Jax spent last weekend with me and has been busy with showbiz stuff all week.”
Mac doesn’t meet his eyes when she tells him this.
“Mac, what’s going on? Be straight with me – and no pun intended.”
“That’s it, nothing else to say.”
Riley doesn’t believe her but doesn’t press the issue further. He reminds himself that this ishistime to focus onhisrecovery.
“Hey, Rye.”
