I lose my air. “Wh-what?” I force out before sucking in a deep breath.
“Summerset Nights is having open auditions.”
Summerset Nights.The mother-daughter musical Mama and I used to watch together when I was a little girl. Playing the daughter in that musical had always been her dream for me. And it had been my dream, too. At least, I thought it was. Now, I’m not so sure.
Pat explains how they’ve opened up the show to new talent. “And I’ve worked my magic for you and secured you an audition.”
“When would I need to be back in Manhattan?”
“The new cast won’t start rehearsals for a few months. Right around when you’re scheduled to return anyway.”
“Wow.” I swallow. “Pat, I can’t guarantee I’m ready for a live audition. I’m sure you remember how my last few have gone.”
“That’s why I convinced them to let you send in a taped audition.”
“Seriously? That’s amazing.”
“I’ll email you the details. Get started practicing ASAP. You can video your audition and send it back to me. Okay?”
I know how this business works.I’ll think about itis not an option. You’re either in or you’re out, and I honestly don’t know which I am. But I can’t tell my manager that right now. So I give him the only answer he’ll accept. “Okay.”
* * *
Hunter
“Hey,do you think I should have a hot tub installed?” Murph asks from his hotel bed.
We’re in Houston as part of our road trip. We don’t play until tomorrow, and practice already finished for the day.
I don’t take my attention off the sports countdown on the television. “No clue.”
“It could liven up my house parties,” he says. “I was thinking of putting it by the pool.”
“Sure.” I stare mindlessly at the sports co-hosts as they rattle off stats from the hockey games that were played today.
“What’s up with you tonight?” Murph asks me. “You’re not even listening.”
“I never listen to you,” I say jokingly.
“How’re things with Winter? I thought you guys were doing well.”
“We are.” Except I called her hours ago and haven’t heard back, which is unusual for Winter not to even send a text.
Looking for a distraction, I turn my head toward Murph. “I think you should get the hot tub.”
“Yeah?”
I shrug. “Why not? You could use it in cold weather, right?”
“Ashley suggested it,” he says, his eyes flashing with amusement. “That girl loves the water. I think she’s half mermaid.”
I smirk. “Maybe you two could have some fun with that hot tub then.”
His expression darkens. “Ash and I don’t vibe that way.”
“The fuck you don’t,” I say. “I saw you at the Odyssey. We all did.”
“You don’t get it.” He shakes his head just as my phone starts ringing. “Better answer your phone.”
