Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 73940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
But talking about it with Maddy made me wonder… who was I so scared of disappointing? Was it the people around me, or was it the one person who watched from above me? The thought of letting my dad down, even after his passing, was what really tore at my heart.
Would I be able to move passed that gut-wrenching feeling?
“I’ll think about it,” I said. There was still time for me to make a decision. I could invite him and be sure he was there, or I could leave it up to fate. Whatever happened, happened.
I liked that option.
But did I like the other more?
Chapter Fourteen
Ryan
My comp ticket for Jay’s show sat on the shared nightstand in our dorm. He texted me after my finance class today, giving me the good news. I nearly tripped walking back to the dorm. Even Colton was like… dude, what the fuck is going on?
“It’s a ticket to Jay’s show,” I explained.
Colton shrugged, dropping his book bag at the foot of my bed. He grabbed the video game controller and turned on the console. The friendly beep sound dinged through the room. “I didn’t realize he was an actor.”
“Oh yeah,” I said. “And a dancer. I helped him rehearse for tonight. I didn’t realize he’d get me a free ticket, though.”
“Is he still all worried about your dad being your dad?”
I nodded, setting the ticket down and grabbing the second controller. “And I get why. He’s the definition of an environmental activist. My family is the opposite. It sucks, but I understand.” I grabbed my chair from my desk and pulled it next to my bed. I sat down, propping my feet up on the mattress.
“I don’t,” Colton replied. “I’ve seen how you two look at each other. It’s gross but also pretty sweet.”
“We look at each other normally.” My eyebrows inched together. I ignored the prompt on the screen to start the game and turned to Colton. “Do we?”
“You look at each other like you’re both five seconds away from fucking at any moment.”
My head dropped. “No way. Really?”
“Mhmm.” He chuckled and pointed at the TV. “Let’s start this game so I can beat your ass.”
I clicked X on the controller. The TV screen filled with a rainbow assortment of swirls and colors as the game started up. “Fine, but we can only play a couple rounds.”
“Why?”
“Because the show’s in a few hours, and you’re coming with.”
“I don’t have a ticket.”
I smiled. “Yes you do. I bought one before Jay comped me. You can have that one.”
“You… bought a ticket to one of the school plays? You hated theater shows. Damn, he’s really got you sprung, huh?”
“I never hated theater shows,” I said, turning my focus to the game.
“You literally said you’d rather do anything else than sit in a dark theater while people tap-danced and—”
“That wasn’t me. That was an impostor.” I smiled at my best friend and motioned toward the screen. “Now, can we forget about me and focus on the game for a bit?”
“Sure, Ry, sure.” He gave me a sideways look. “You also said that—”
“Oh, look, the game started.”
My character flew across the screen and punched Colton’s in the face, sending him launching off the platform. Colton forgot about his mission to poke holes in my story and focused on the game. He ended up winning nearly every match. My head just wasn’t in it. All I kept thinking was, Hah. He got me a comp ticket. He wants me at the show.
With how flighty Jay was about being seen in public with me, I really didn’t think he’d get me a free seat up at the front row. It was why I’d secretly bought a ticket all the way in the back of a theater. I wanted to see him perform, but I didn’t want to tip anyone off as to why.
Guess I was overthinking it all along. Jay was full of surprises.
Just another reason why falling for him felt so natural.
…Shit. Falling for him.
Talk about a plot twist.
“Ah, shit,” I said, the screen turning black as my character died again.
The Franklin University theater was packed. It was opening night, so all the rows were full. It was a nice theater, too. I’d never been in it, which was a damn shame. It was like one of the theaters my dad had brought us to on trips to Los Angeles.
Luxurious red curtains draped on a stage that was framed by intricately carved wood paneling. The stage gleamed under the lights, the curtain shifting as people walked behind it. The energy was electric, a lot like the start to one of my big games or a rowing match.
My heart pounded like a stage drum as I slid into my seat—front row, dead center. Colton nudged me, a wide grin splitting his face. “Dude, this is nuts. We’re so close!”