Page 52 of Something New

The other man laughed nervously. “Yes, we knew we wanted you for the lead, but had been a little concerned about your media issues. But, as we saw last week, some of your more private moments leaked out, giving us, and the fans, a different impression of you. You’re more than Bianca St. John.”

She cocked her head. “Of course, I am. I’m Anna Costado. Bianca is a character I play. I know people sometimes confuse the two, but we’re not the same.” She stood. “Gentlemen, thank you so much for your time and offer. Upon further consideration, I think I’m going to need some time off after my role onBlazing Passions. I think you’ll understand that it was a demanding role, and I’m feeling a bit burned out right now. As much as I love your show and want to do it, I’m afraid that I might not do it justice right now.”

Everyone scrambled to their feet, shock written all over their faces. “Anna, do you know that you’re turning down a lead on a major Broadway show? This could change your career completely.”

Shae smiled, suddenly sure of her decision. “Yes, I know it could and it would. It’s an amazing show, and I really regret this decision, but I’m afraid that I might not be the best fit right now. I know you considered Shae Connors for it. She’s amazing, underrated, and maybe not as experienced as I am. But she’d be awesome for it. I hope this doesn’t burn any bridges between us.”

The director smiled at her, almost as if he understood. “Of course not. I would have liked the opportunity to work with you, Anna. Maybe in the future. May I walk you out?”

She nodded and walked up the aisle with him, feeling the eyes of the cast boring into her. “Karen called you, didn’t she?”

He shrugged. “I worked with Karen a lifetime ago and will always take her calls. She recommended you highly, but also implied you might be a little torn on the role. I knew you were perfect for it. Karen didn’t have to convince me. May I ask why you’re stepping aside?”

Anna paused at the theater doors. She gestured outside. “I need a break, honestly. I changed when I went to Hollywood, and I don’t like who I’ve become. I still love acting, and I don’t regret my roles or decisions. But I need some time to figure out Anna and what Anna wants.”

“The media firestorm never goes away. It will always follow you, especially when you come back. If you come back.”

She grinned. “I’ll be back, on my terms. And I’ll be ready for them.”

He opened the door for her. “Say hi to Karen and good luck, Anna.”

She weaved her way through the throngs of media, ignoring their questions and intrusive cameras. A peace had settled over her, one she had not felt since she had been on Whitby Island with Wyatt. She might not have the career she had wanted, but what she said was true. She had to ditch Bianca and find Anna again, and maybe she could find the happiness that had eluded her all of these years.

* * *

Wyatt sat in the offensive coordinator’s office at his dented mental desk and reviewed game plans for Saturday’s game. He had reviewed game tape until his eyes burned and were gritty from staring at the screen. Not that he needed to see the tape; he knew the Aggies’ game plan inside and out. No, he needed the escape.

After reconnecting with Anna, he thought he would recover from it as easily as before. Now he knew that five years ago, when he thought he had gotten over her, he had never excised her from his heart. She had lingered deep inside, still a part of him, until she had come roaring back into his life as only Anna could, awakening those feelings again, reminding him of how good they were together. This time, the connection had been broken, severed, and he felt the pain right to his core. A raw, gaping wound that left no respite. He couldn’t sleep, was barely eating, and barked at all the players like they were freshman who couldn’t get out of their own way.

The door opened and banged shut. Wyatt glanced up with dull eyes. Kyle Monroe stood there, glaring at him with two six-packs of beer and a bucket of wings. He slammed them down and swiped everything off the desk. Wyatt lunged for the playbook, but Kyle, with his considerable bulk, easily pushed Wyatt back into his office chair.

“Sit your ass down and stay there.” Kyle dragged another chair across the room and sank into it, opened two beers and handed Wyatt one. “So, I’ve left you alone all week, but this bear with a sore paw thing has gone on long enough. What crawled up your ass and died?”

Wyatt grimaced and took a long swallow of the beer. “Nothing.”

“Don’t bullshit me, boy. I’m your boss and won’t take any more crap from you. We can do this the easy way or the hard way, and trust me, you don’t want the hard way. So, again, I say what the fuck is wrong with you?” Kyle leaned forward, wearing the expression he often wore when he was an offensive lineman.

Wyatt shuddered. “Anna.”

Kyle cursed. “I told you to bring a date and not get involved with her again. But did you listen? No. So, tell me what happened.”

Wyatt gave Kyle the abbreviated version, in between sips of beer and wings. As soon as he bit into a wing, he realized he was starving and inhaled half the bucket in record time. Finally, the bucket was empty, with one six-pack finished. Kyle nodded at him.

“Feeling a little better? Good. Now you can listen.” Kyle leaned back, the hinges on the rolling chair squealing under protest. “You’re a damned fool, Wyatt Turner. Anyone could see you still loved her. I mean, shoot, you knew everything going on with that TV show of hers, talking about it with Claire, gossiping like two old women. You were never over her; you had just buried it.”

Wyatt grunted and picked at the beer bottle label. “Yeah, I know that now. You couldn’t have clued me in before?”

“Nope, some things a man has to learn on his own. So, why did you break up with her? I mean, you knew she would never stay. She never promised that. And when she got the offer, why were you so surprised?”

Wyatt glared at Kyle. “She never even considered me. Never even asked what I thought.”

Kyle looked innocent. “Why should she? Did you ever ask her if she wanted to come back here? Did you ask her what she wanted?”

Wyatt opened his mouth to speak, then paused. He closed his mouth, thought, opened it, then closed it again.

Kyle started laughing. “You look like a trout there. Spit it out.”

“No, I never asked her. I just assumed she’d be okay coming back here, starting over, because she said she didn’t know what she would do next.”

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