Annie finishes on stage and walks over to the desk to watch the others perform. I wish I could go join her, or sweep her into my arms and kiss her. But I won’t, because I respect my girl and what she’s doing. Enough to know not to make it about me.
This is her rehearsal. Her stage. And she owns every inch of it.
From what I can tell, she’s burning the candle at both ends to make this work. To be both a principal actor and director. I won’t put my needs above hers. Especially when it’s just to show someother girl that Annie is mine. She needs to focus, and we need to take care of her.
This isn’t forever. Yes, she’ll always have something she’s working on or working in, but that doesn’t mean we won’t get time. She’ll take care of us too. She does take care of us. Maybe it isn’t an all-night marathon, but more stolen moments here and there for now.
She turns, and when she sees me, she smiles softly. Because this morning, she woke to me sucking on her pussy before I fucked her hard while she sucked on Cam’s cock. Damon watched before rolling her onto her back and fucking into her.
I’m not sure how many times she came, but she definitely had a smile on her face this morning for breakfast. This week flew by. Mom has been breathing down my neck, wanting to have another dinner with Annie, but I had to tell her she’s busy for the next few weeks.
My parents seem to have settled into a rhythm. It’s still not safe to enter rooms without knocking or making loud noises as approaching, but they’re less affectionate than they were. Which is good, but it’s still odd to have my parents around all the time.
The rest of rehearsal goes off without a hitch. Cam and Damon were busy today, so I get to wait with Annie. She’s already at her desk, scribbling notes, as some cast members are hanging around, talking. I walk over and take Keira’s empty seat next to Annie, but I don’t say anything to disrupt her train of thought.
“Chase!”
Abby hurries into the black box theater. She walks over and kisses Chase, like he’s returning home from war. I can’t wait to fuck with their little relationship. Guarantee he hasn’t stopped fucking around just because he’s with Abby.
“I missed you, babe,” she says, loud enough that even the people in the hallway probably heard her.
He might just be more sneaky about it.
“I think I’ve lost my appetite,” Annie says softly to me.
I chuckle.
But it must not have been soft enough, because Abby turns to glare at Annie.
“What did you say to me?” Abby projects to the whole theater.
Annie sighs and looks up. “I’m sorry, but I didn’t say anything to you.”
Abby braces her hands on her hips and gets a snotty look on her face. “You couldn’t even keep your man satisfied enough to stay with you. And now, you’re whoring yourself out to the Devil’s trio.” Abby laughs coldly. “Everyone thinks you’re pathetic.”
Annie leans back in her chair with a smile. “Really?”
Her nonchalance enrages Abby. “Everyone knows they’re only with you because you put out.”
“So which is it? Am I a prude or a whore?” Annie taps her chin with her finger like she’s thinking it over.
I could step in, but she’s got this, so I sit back and enjoy the show.
“Whatever. No one likes you.” Abby turns to put her hand on Chase’s chest. Chase has the decency to look uncomfortable with all this. He’s probably remembering everything we did to him and doesn’t want a repeat.
“I like her,” Mark says. “Honestly, I’m pretty sure if you asked anyone in here to pick you or EvanAnn, I bet they’d pick EvanAnn.”
“You don’t even count.” She waves her hand dismissively.
“Why?” Mark straightens. “Because I’m not from wealthy parents who bought my way into this school? Or is it because I didn’t have to bribe the guy whose parents bought him a spot in the showcase? I mean, you’ve got some talent, Abby, but you’llnever reach the caliber of performance EvanAnn will. So tell me again how I don’t count?”
Abby’s mouth opens and closes, but she’s not wordless for long. “I bet EvanAnn set up that social media account herself to get attention. And how do we know Mia actually went home? Maybe EvanAnn hurt her somehow.”
“Are you that threatened by me?” Annie hasn’t moved at all. She’s still relaxed in her chair. “Are you so worried everyone would choose me over you? Even your boyfriend? Sure, he was an asshole, but he needed someone like me to clean up his image after you ruined it. Do his parents even know you two are dating again? Or is he still keeping our breakup a secret?”
While Abby tries to figure out what to say to that, Annie stands.
“Rehearsal is over. I need to lock up.” She looks directly at Abby. “You don’t belong in here.”
