Page 46 of Cheater and the Saint
12
Saint
I loved the theater: the smells, sounds of people working backstage, the excitement of sitting in the auditorium as the lighting crew tested the various lights and waiting for the show to begin. Never in a million years could I everbea performer, but I appreciated their hard work and enjoyed being in the audience.
Shadows passed beneath the curtain on stage as the crew hurried to set up the scene.
One of the best parts of the night, however, was I wasn’t alone. Leo sat beside me, bouncing his leg as he read through the pamphlet we were given before taking our seats. He looked at the page with the cast before pointing at a photo of a guy with shaggy brown hair beneath the characterCripple Billy.
“That’s Jacob,” he announced, still bouncing his leg. I had the urge to push down on it to stop its incessant moving, but refrained from doing so. Barely.
“He’s in your literature class?” I asked, knowing the answer, but asking the question, anyway.
“Yeah. He was excited when I told him we were coming tonight.” Leo looked toward the stage where the curtain opened. No one was on stage, yet, but the set was of the inside of a house, with a table and chairs, couch, and a bed in one corner. “I don’t think he has anyone. It’s his big night, and I didn’t want him to be alone, ya know?”
My respect for Leo had reached new heights. I’d been right about him. He wasn’t just a playboy who didn’t give a shit about anyone or anything. There was so much more to him—like a kind heart—even though he often tried to hide it.
“That’s not true,” I said. “He has you.”
“Poor guy.” Leo grinned, looking back down at the pamphlet. “I hope this isn’t boring.”
And there was the Leo I knew again.
I had to force the smile from my face. I wasn’t sure why I didn’t surrender to the amazing feeling Leo brought out in me—his playfulness somehow reached into me, as if it were contagious.
The answer was clear, though, when I really considered it.
If I were to let my guard down and embrace that feeling, I’d get attached to it. To him. And then it’d crush me that much more when he turned out to be a player who’d move on once he got what he wanted.
I cast a stare around the audience. A lot were college students like me and Leo. One of the benefits of attending school there was that we got into all the activities and performances—basketball games, theater, et cetera—for free. The lights dimmed to let everyone know the play was about to begin. People who were standing in groups and talking took their seats, and a quiet came over the auditorium.
“I wish I had some popcorn,” Leo whispered, an inch from my ear.
“Your chomping would distract from the play,” I whispered back. “Now try to behave yourself.”
Leo sighed, looking ahead. His friend Jacob limped onto the stage, and the first line was spoken. After a few minutes, I was engrossed in the story, in the performance. The actors were brilliant, and I couldn’t look away.
Unlike Leo, who couldn’t sit still. I swear, he was worse than a toddler.
At intermission, the houselights came back on, and Leo exuded a relieved sigh. “Thank fuck that’s over.”
I pressed my lips into a line. “It’s not over. This is just intermission. There’s still another half to go.”
“Ah, for fuck’s sake,” Leo groaned, and I couldn’t hold back the laugh any longer. He cut his eyes at me. “You take joy in my pain. I knew you were a sadist.”
I laughed harder. “Quit being a baby. If you’d actually pay attention, you might like the story.”
“I’m already lost,” he replied. “There’s no saving me.”
Fifteen minutes later, the lights dimmed once again, and everyone took their seats. The actors returned to the stage for the next scene, and a little way into the second half, Leo scooted closer to me.
At first, I didn’t think much of it, thinking he was only trying to get comfortable, because after a while, the seats sucked. But then his arm touched mine. He moved his leg closer.
All of a sudden, I couldn’t concentrate on the play. I was too attuned to where Leo and I touched; leg against leg and arm against arm. My heartbeat kicked up a notch, and I tightly swallowed. My hands started to clam up, and I splayed out my fingers before wiping a hand on my jeans.
As inconspicuously as I could, I peeked over at Leo. Shit. He was watching me, and by the lopsided grin on his face, I was certain he picked up on the effect he had on me. I couldn’t look away from him.
Even in the dark theater, I saw that gleam in his eyes, the one that said he’d give me what I wanted… if only I were to ask.
