I’m smiling from hearing Hunter’s voice when my phone rings.
Pat Buckman, my manager.
Butterflies shoot through my tummy. This would be the first time I’ve heard from Pat since I left.
He has no reason to be calling from Manhattan.Not unless…
I answer the call. Before he can say anything, I say, “Hi Pat. I have some exciting news.”
“Me, too,” he says in response.
Wanting to get my news out first, I start to tell him about the musical I’ve been writing.
“I know the industry prefers adaptations, but this story is fresh and contemporary,” I say quickly. “It’s a romance and has all the elements of a love story, but the heroine has a redemptive storyline, and she survives a physical attack. I think it will play well on Broadway or Off-Broadway.”
“Forget that for now.” Pat’s voice is brisk but it can’t hide the excitement beneath the surface. “I’ve got something better.”
“What is it?”
“How does landing an audition for your dream role sound?”
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.”
