CHAPTER 29 (2)
Andie cocks her head as I squirm in my seat, tugging the hem of my skirt that’s riding high up my legs. “I bet he’d learn everything you like, memorize it, use it all against you to get his way.” Rica’s words have me flushing, averting my gaze. Forgive me for not bringing a change of underwear to this venue. My gaze drags from the girl and over to Timothy, his strong shoulders, handsome profile. He’s beyond sexy. Thinking about him is sexy. Talking about him is sexy. Breathing the same air in the same room is sexy. The guy in question turns his head and catches me staring. His gaze skims down and back up, as if he can see me press my thighs together under the table. I can’t look away. If I’m honest, I still have feelings for Timothy. But even if I think there’s a chance he feels the same way, that’s not why we’re here. We have our dreams, and we’ve both given up things to pursue them. The waitress comes by to see if we want more drinks. “You guys are Vanier students. I was one. Acting.” “Do you work?” Rica says. “Mostly, I’m here. I get good hours.” She winks, but her smile seems forced. We order another round, and she disappears. That’s the reality, I remind myself. It’s easy to want this life. It’s harder to make it happen. Especially when your plan for getting it done—the showcase—gets yanked out from under you. Before I’ve taken another sip of my drink, hands settle on my neck. I jump as something soft brushes my ear. “You’ve been quiet tonight.” Timothy’s not in my line of sight, but I feel his touch on my bare skin, smell his familiar cedar scent. Before I can respond, he lifts me out of the booth and sets me by his side. “Tell me what’s up.” “What’s up is you win. Congratulations.” I pull my phone from my bag and hold out the email I got from the dean’s office today. I shove a hand through my hair, looking past him while he reads it. “They’re not letting me audition,” I say under my breath. “New policy.” “This isn’t happening.” The edge in his voice does nothing to soothe my frustration. I take the phone back and tuck it away. “Whatever. It was a long shot anyway.” I try to brush past him, but he cages me in with his arms. “Timothy… there’s nothing we can do.” “Audition with me.” My mind goes blank as I take in his angry face. “Wait, what?” “We can do your song together.” “They won’t let us—” “Then we’ll make them.” “But what if they disqualify you?” He narrows his gaze. “Let them try.” My chest expands with emotions I can’t name. “You want to change your audition with three days left to rehearse.” “Yeah. I do.” I study him, trying to figure out where Timothy went and who this reckless man in his place is. But all I see is the same guy I’ve always known, with a flash of rebelliousness in his dark gaze that has a shimmer of hope starting low in my stomach. I throw my arms around his neck, inhaling his familiar scent and trying not to be distracted by the heat and hardness of his body. My eyes burn. “Thank you.” His arms wrap around me, too, and my heart feels lighter than it has in two days. “We can rehearse all day tomorrow. We can use the apartment. Jacob will understand.” “I promise I’ll do you proud.” “I know you will.” Over his shoulder, I notice a pool table at the other end of the bar. “But since we’re not rehearsing until tomorrow... look what I found.”
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