Page 77 of The Dramatic Life of Jonah Penrose
“What did he say?”
“Did you know Henrik auditioned for Achilles?” Dexter asked, focusing on his tea rather than Jonah. “Because I didn’t. I was doingWest Side Story, as you know, and that’s where Stephen met Henrik, and he signed him as a client.” He took a deep breath. “Their affair started then. And I think I knew it at the time, but I didn’t want to acknowledge it because I was so in love with Stephen, I would have done anything to keep him.”
Jonah dipped his finger back into his cream and licked it again. “I get it. Sometimes pretending nothing’s wrong is easier than accepting the truth.”
“And that’s not even the thing that’s hurt me the most,” Dexter said. “He told me he withdrew my name from consideration for Achilles. He called Colbie and said I was no longer interested, just so Henrik would be seen as a contender.”
“Sorry, what? He didwhat?” Jonah leaned forward as he spoke, the anger he felt at stupid Stephen Carrington practically melting the marshmallows dotted on top of his drink.
“Of course, it backfired, because you then came along and blew Henrik out of the water.”
“Dexter, I’m so sorry.”
“He told me they didn’t want me. He made me feel shunted, like I wasn’t good enough, and he saw what that did for my self-esteem. Then he crushed me even further by leaving me to be with Henrik all while we were still in a show together.” Dexter sniffed and quickly swiped his hand beneath his eyes, stilling any tears that threatened to fall. “And Henrik loved it. He loved seeing me feel like shit behind the scenes. I begged Stephen to get me an audition for something, anything else, and I think he only did it out of pity, but thank God he did.”
“He’s a bastard,” Jonah said, trying hard not to grind his teeth out of sheer frustration. “You didn’t deserve any of that.”
“This all came out the day of the meeting, which is why I was angry that night. I was angry at what Stephen admitted to, angry at Colbie for trying to force me into another role to capitalize on my relationship with you, and angry atyoufor meeting with one of the biggest directors in the industry without telling me.” He looked up from his drink. “Are you leaving the show?”
Melanie had called Jonah at nine thirty-two that morning and told him she’d just got off the phone with Julianna, and that they were officially offering him the role of the Emcee. Contracts would be sent over by the afternoon, and if Jonah was happy, then he could sign and Melanie could call Colbie and tell her where to stick her poor attitude. It should have been news Jonah shared with his partner, something he could scream about with Dexter the moment he got off the phone, if he didn’t think of him as his enemy, even when he knew full well that’s not what he was.
“Yeah. I’m leaving,” Jonah said. “Colbie’s been awful to me, Dex. I feel like I’m walking on eggshells around her, not knowing if my position is safe, and that’s down to her hinting to my agent that I wouldn’t be offered another year. So, yeah, I met with Julianna, and I’m going to be leaving at the end of my contract.”
Dexter nodded slowly, then pushed his tea away from him. “What’s the show?”
“Cabaret.”
Something lit up behind Dexter’s eyes, a recognition; he remembered their conversation in bed after spending the night together for the first time. “Please tell me it’s the role you’ve dreamed of.”
“It is.”
“Jonah,” he said, voice softening. “Jonah, that’s amazing. I’m so happy for you.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I’m sorry I didn’t involve you in any of this. I should have, and it’s my fault for being insecure.”
“I don’t blame you for being insecure. It’s the way this industry works, isn’t it? We have to exude confidence, but behind closed doors there’s mountains of rejection and constant self-doubt. And working with Colbie Paris will shrink anyone’s self-worth. She’s treated Bastien terribly since he gave her notice, and now she’s doing the same to me.”
“Because you won’t play Patroclus?”
“Because I’m not extending at the end of my contract either.”
It took Jonah a moment to get his head around what Dexter just admitted. “But, Dex, you can be Achilles again. I’m leaving. The role’s open, and you know it’s yours. People want you to play him again.”
“You know, I think I’m done with Achilles,” Dexter said with a laugh that sounded more sad than joyful. “It’s time to let go. I knew I needed to let him go the first time I saw you as him. You were beautiful, and still are. You’ve taken that role and made it your own.”
“Dex—”
“Jonah.” He smiled. “It’s going to be okay. I got a new agent the moment I got back from Cornwall, and she set me up with an audition straight away. And I got it.”
“You did?”
“Yeah. The paperwork’s all signed. Which means we are both saying goodbye toThe Wooden Horse.”
“What role did you get?”
“Bobby Child”
“Wait.” Jonah couldn’t stop himself from laughing and put his hands over his face. “Crazy for You?” he asked as he lowered his hands, only to see Dexter looking royally pissed off at him.
