I stop to listen before rounding the corner.
“You know there’s always a part for you in my show.” I’m confident that’s Brandt’s voice. “Leaving EvanAnn’s production will show her how much she actually needs you.”
“I’ve got Iago, why would I give that up?” Chase, fucker. “You wouldn’t be able to offer me something like that this late in the game. As an actor, I’d be a fool to give this role up.”
“Like she hasn’t already made you into a fool. EvanAnn sits there lording over you that she’s fucking three guys, and you just let her.” Brandt makes atskingnoise. “You look weak.”
“Weren’t you the one telling me she’s the perfect good girl? That I could have it all, a girlfriend my parents approved of and my social life because EvanAnn doesn’t have one? It’s not like anyone would tell her I’m cheating on her?” Chase laughs bitterly. “I should have just fucked her and then she would have stayed with me.”
“The Devil’s trio was never part of the plan.” Brandt lowers his voice. “That’s your own fault. Did you think Damon would let you get away with the hit and run? That there wouldn’t be consequences? I had to convince Olivia to make a play for him to distract him from coming after you. I didn’t count on EvanAnn moving in with Damon.”
“I should have just taken the hit and gone to the police.”
“What good would that have done?” Brandt laughs. “You would have been fined and everyone would have hated you for taking out their king. You did the right thing.”
“He never would have taken EvanAnn from me if I’d gone to the police.”
“Do you honestly believe she would have moved in with Damon Storm and stayed with you? She was always a lost cause. You just couldn’t see it. Now you want to stay in her play, which is also a lost cause. Suit yourself. Just don’t come crying to me when it fails.” Brandt moves away, his voice growing distant.
“Asshole.” Chase mutters before his footsteps move away.
Damon might be right about Brandt playing sides. But that doesn’t mean he has anything to do with the stalking. Though he could be planning to ruin Evan’s show. Stealing her lead would definitely cripple her production at this point.
I wait a few minutes before heading into the theater room, careful to do so quietly because their rehearsal is in full swing. I walk over to sit behind the desk where Keira works. She waves at me as I pass her.
My seat is behind Evan’s. She doesn’t always talk to me during rehearsal, but she knows I’m here, and it gives me time to do my homework. Turns out I just needed a good plan, not really a tutor, but I still like it when Evan tells me what to do.
Chase takes the stage with Hawk. Their dynamic plays well. Chase’s jealousy of Hawk bleeds through in his performance. He truly hates Hawk for taking Evan away from him. Brandt canblame Damon all day for Evan falling for us. But when it comes down to it, I think Hawk is who pushed Evan over the edge.
None of us could have won her on our own. Not when she thought she had a loyal boyfriend. But Hawk seduced, I flirted, and Damon came through with lust. We work well as a set. At least for Evan.
She finishes giving direction and comes back to the desk. Her eyes light up when she sees me. I got her a cheese quesadilla from a restaurant she loves. I’m going for brownie points tonight since I’m taking her home.
It’s Mom and Dad’s date night, so they won’t notice if I’m not in, and since they took tracking off my phone, I’m free to do what I want.
The actors take the stage again and run through their lines. Fuck, if I keep coming to this,I’llknow their lines. I get out my English Literature book and focus on the paper that’s due.
“Cam?” Evan sits down next to me. Hawk walks our way, but everyone else is gone.
“Maybe I am a good student.” I grin at her.
“Or maybe our play is really boring after the fifth time of the same scene, and you zoned us out.” Evan brushes my hair out of my face. “We’re good to go. Thank you for my quesadilla.”
I turn and press a kiss to the palm of her hand. “Anything for you.”
“Hey, I gotta head home.” Hawk looks between me and Evan. “Do you need anything else, Annie?”
“No, I think we’ve got it.” Evan stands and gives Hawk a hug and kiss.
I gather up my notes and stuff them into my backpack. Hawk hesitates.
“I’ve got her. We’re good.” I stand and put my backpack on before taking Evan’s and tossing it over my shoulder too. “But if you want to ride with us to her house...”
The tension leaves Hawk’s shoulders, and he wraps his arm around Evan’s waist to walk her outside.
She’s riding with me, so he can have this. She locks up, and I notice Brandt’s room is dark. I need to remember to dig a little deeper into Brandt.
We get to the bikes, and I get Evan settled on mine before we ride toward her house. I love riding with Evan on the back of my motorcycle. I’m sure Damon will take over once he’s home again, but maybe I can talk Evan into going on rides with me.
