I need to see you.
Now?
FaceTime?
Ok
My heart flutters in my chest. He doesn’t normally text like this, and I’m usually the one begging to see him. The phone lights up with his call as I hold it out in front of me and lie on my bed.
When it connects, his screen is dark like he has his camera off.
“Are you alone?” he asks, but his voice sounds different. Like he’s not wearing his mask.
“I am.”
“Show me,” he huffs. There’s an uncharacteristic desperation in his voice.
“Is everything okay? You don’t sound like yourself.” I’m not even talking about his voice; his tone is off. He sounds like he’s out of control and needs reassurance.
“I’m not in the mood for games. Be a good girl and show me that you’re alone.”
Flipping the camera on my phone, I sit up and make a show of giving him a 360 of my room. It’s not big, just a bed and a desk. Turning it back to my face, I smile, sensing this isn’t the time for sass. “See? Alone.”
He blows out a breath. “Okay. Thank you.”
There’s silence as neither of us speaks for several moments.
“I wish you were here. My roommate is gone for the weekend, and I have the apartment to myself.”
There’s a deep sigh on his end, and I know I’m not getting my way. “I’ve got to go. Just wanted to make sure you were safe. Something just told me to check in with you.”
Before I can unpack the meaning in his words, he’s hung up and I’m left alone, again.
CHAPTER 25
JOHN
Rehearsal drags on as I sit in the back of the theatre and try not to stare at Emma. As the faculty advisor I have very few responsibilities. I mainly have to make sure the theatre is cleared and locked each night after rehearsal. I could sit in my office and just lock up after they finish since Mackenzie has everything under control, but I’m a glutton for punishment, so here I am staring at the woman I wish I could be with.
Being in her presence lately is starting to feel like too much of a good thing and not enough at the same time.
Commotion on the stage pulls me out of my spiraling thoughts. Emma drops to the floor hard, her knees pulled against her body as she rocks slightly. The fuck?
I’m out of my chair and on the stage in seconds.
“I’m sorry, Emma. I was acting on instinct. It felt natural to grab your shoulders. I didn’t mean to freak you out,” Jeremy says.
“What’s going on?” I demand, giving Jeremy a death glare.
“It’s nothing, I’m fine,” Emma chimes in, looking up at me.
I look at Jeremy and Mackenzie and am met with silence.
“Somebody better start talking,” I grit through clenched teeth.
“I said I’m fine,” Emma repeats as she stands and brushes off her backside.
“We can just call it a day,” Mackenzie chirps as she claps her hands and backs away. “We’ll pick up with this scene tomorrow.”
