Chapter Twelve
Theo
I still can’t find my mojo
For whatever reason, Joey seems reluctant to take my compliments about her sexiness.
Or maybe it’s because I’ve lost my touch and I just suck at it because I’ve been traumatized by my ex. I’ll have to work on upping my game.
After we’d finished dinner, we sat on the couch and opened our scripts, turning it to the beginning of the third act. This is where the tension levels between Silvia and Chester have been brewing and it finally comes to a head and they end up kissing.
Which is exactly what I want to practice with Joey.
I’ve wanted to taste those lips for a week, but I’m so out of practice that I keep wimping out. But tonight’s plan is to ensure it comes to fruition. Even if I have to do it in an underhanded deceitful fashion.
Even if I won’t be acting when we finally hit that scene.
“Do you think you’re giving me special treatment?” Joey asks as she skims through the lines on the pages before looking up and giving me a look of concern.
“How so?”
She shifts her position. “Well, duh. I’m getting to practice my lines with the director and guy who wrote the play. If that isn’t a leg up on the competition, I don’t know what is.”
I nod and wink. “I see your point. I guess you’ll have to knock me dead with your amazing natural talent so no one questions my decisions.”
Joey huffs out a breath. “Great, I’m going to be viewed as teacher’s pet. No one likesthosepeople.”
She scrunches her nose and I want to lean over and kiss every cute freckle sprinkled there. But I hold back.
Again.
“It’s a good thing than that Birdie is also helping with the casting, so it won’t be biased.”
“That’s even worse. I think that woman has it out for me.”
I laugh, but it might be true. I’ve seen with my own two eyes the dirty looks Birdie gives to Joey. I’m guessing it might be out of jealousy.
Birdie has on occasion tried enticing me back to her place to “go over the play”. I’ve always politely turned her down because I know it’s just code for wanting to fuck. But she does nothing for me. I’m not interested in her in the slightest, especially not when my attention is on Joey.
“Don’t be silly,” I wave her off and grab my wine glass, taking a big swig of it. Letting the warmth filter through my system. Filling me up with the liquid courage.
Joey’s gaze assesses me, as if she’s trying to figure me out. She tips her head from one shoulder to the other, pursing her lips in thought. And then as if she’s come to some kind of resolution, she heaves a sigh.
“Whatever. She gives me the stink eye whenever you ask me to read. She seems kind of territorial and possessive.”
Shrugging off her intuition, I redirect the conversation to the play.
“Well, she’s barking up the wrong tree.”
“Exactly,” she says, lifting and pointing her index finger at me.
I raise my brows at the emphatic tone she uses.
“I guess we’ll just have to show Birdie how spectacular you are, then. Let’s start on Act Three Scene Two, where Chester is out in the yard. Ready?”
She gives me the thumbs up and finds the scene I’m referring to. I get a thrill knowing what’s coming up.
And I was completely serious about her abilities. She is a natural, just like I knew she would be. Her style is easy, she’s great at reading and expressing emotion and takes direction without hesitation. Unlike some of the other students in my class.
