A laugh erupts from Ezra. The way he’s looking at me isn’t judgmental at all, but endearing, like I’m the most adorable creature he’s ever seen. It makes me blush. “You told me once that you’d love to write your own stories someday, so why keep acting in someone else’s anyway? You’d be a great screenwriter,Rue. You like giving people a voice…even though you don’t think you have one yourself. At least not for singing.”
My breath catches. “You remember that?”
He smiles faintly. “Of course I do. You said it after we watched that awful student film about pirates. You said you’d fix it if you could.”
A laugh bubbles out of me before I can stop it. “That movie was so bad.”
“It was terrible,” he agrees, his grin widening. “But you didn’t just make fun of it—you talked about what you’d do differently. You’ve always seen stories like puzzles you can rebuild. I think that’s pretty amazing.”
For a moment, I can’t breathe. His words are too sincere, too careful, and way too sweet. If we weren’t stuck in this booth together, I would probably leave, just to put some space between us. Because here in the quiet comfort of this room, where no one else can hear, my resolve is starting to weaken toward him.
I try to pay attention to the sound cues for the rest of the rehearsal. Ezra points out buttons on the soundboard when I need them, occasionally playing his game. The light clicking of the buttons as he plays is somehow comforting, making it feel like old times.
We finish cue testing the first act, and Miss Fern calls it a day. Ezra walks me out of the auditorium and down the steps into the dusky light.
“Want me to drive you home?”
I hesitate. “No, it’s okay.”
“See you tomorrow?”
“Yeah…thanks for the granola bar.”
“Anytime.” The grin that lights up his face weakens my knees.
You better keep standing, Rue. Just keep standing.
Chapter 14
Rue
The game schedule for the Fallbrook Falcons is something that’s never been on my radar before. Rehearsals? Yes. Auditions? Of course. But never basketball games.
Ezra has only mentioned it once, but as his girlfriend, I know I’m expected to be there. And with Mabel dating Tucker, the next game is all she’s been able to talk about. When Friday approaches, I’m just relieved it will be over after tonight so I can stop hearing and thinking about it.
“I’m so glad we’re both dating basketball players,” Mabel says as we navigate the corridors between classes. My shoes clop against the historical hardwood floors as we weave through the rush of students, trying to make it to my locker, and then class, before the bell. “Now we can sit together at the game tonight. Meredith can’t come, and Dot’s busy too. There’s no way I’d want to go alone.”
“There’s always Carlton,” I mutter. “He’s our friend, too.”
She averts her gaze. “Yeah…true. But you’re way more fun.”
“Thanks.” We finally reach my locker, and I just barely get it open when I hear Ezra’s voice, deep and warm from behind me.
“Hey, Sullivan.”
My stomach does a flutter dance like a total traitor. “Hey.”
He leans a shoulder against the locker next to mine, the metal straining slightly beneath his weight. “Are you still coming to my game tonight?” He looks at Mabel for a second, and she pretends to be studying her nails.
“Yeah, of course I’ll be there.” The part I leave out?Because if I didn’t show up, it would look weird for us.
“Right. Sweet.” His grin softens into something almost shy. “Then you should wear this.”
He holds out his basketball jersey—navy blue with his number, 12, stitched in gold across the chest. The faint smell of detergent and cologne clings to it.
Oh…I’m definitely going to be sniffing this in the comfort of my room after tonight.
“Are you kidding me?” Mabel whispers, pressing a hand to her heart like she’s watching a proposal unfold. “Rue, do you know what this means?”
