Colin snickered, then grabbed Joshua’s arm and dragged him up the steps. At the top, he turned Joshua around, placed both hands on his shoulders from behind, and walked him into the bedroom. “Riddle methis, Joshua Campbell-Abrams. Would you rather berightor be happy?”
Joshua turned to face his husband, then stood in silence, gazing at Colin through half-lowered lashes. “My god, you’re on fuckingfiretonight!” Then he drew in a deep breath. “I’dmuchrather be happy.”
Colin gave an exaggerated shrug and then pointed to the bed.
Joshua couldn’t help but laugh. “That well and trulyisthe heart and soul of my happiness,” he said, chuckling as he stripped off his clothes. “You and I in bed together.”
“Thank god you’ve come to your senses.”
“Was there ever any doubt? I may be neurotic, but I’m not stupid.”
CHAPTERSIX
THE CASE
Nate spent the following day supervising auditions. He saw nothing of Ross Tanner, who was on the other side of the theater holding interviews for production staff positions. But at the end of the day, Tanner approached him with an easy smile.
“You know what?” he offered, touching Nate’s shoulder. “You were right. It worked out better with you hearing auditions. And why not? As you pointed out, you’re good at it and have experience. And while you were auditioning, I hired a stage manager, a costume designer, and a production assistant with lighting experience.”
Nate nodded. “Sounds great, Ross. Naturally, I’d like to meet them.”
“We have a staff meeting scheduled for nine tomorrow morning at the production office. They’ll be there.”
Nate handed a sheaf of papers to Tanner. “These are the resumes for the folks who impressed me today. I’ve given callbacks to the memorable ones and would like you with me when they read again. The only one I’msureof is Kory Holder. I want him for Blair.”
“When are the callbacks coming in?”
“Tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. Those who didn’t read today will be here at three.”
“That’s great, Nate. I’ll be there.” The hand on Nate’s shoulder tightened. “You and I are OK, aren’t we?”
Nate shrugged and moved out from under Tanner’s hand. “Whywouldn’twe be?”
* * *
Tanner and Rugbyinvited him to dinner, but Nate begged off. He was used to long days. His teaching schedule at the university was often a prelude to evenings spent at the Culbreth Theatre supervising rehearsals, sometimes for two separate classes on the same night. But those long days were bearable because when they finally ended, he knew he was headed to his comfortable home and his evenmorecomfortable husband.
Since their wedding day, Nate and David had rarely been apart, and Nate found their current separation deeply painful.I’ve taken him for granted,Nate thought as he unlocked the door to his hotel room and stepped over the threshold. He threw his briefcase to the floor and moved toward the leather sofa, mumbling as he drew his phone from his pocket. “Believe me, that will never happen again.”
David answered on the first ring. “Hi, sweet baby. How are you? Did you have a good day?”
“No!” Nate blurted out, his throat aching. “I’ve had a shit day!”
David drew in a long breath. “Nate, I’m sorry. But listen: I’ll be there soon. Maybe I can help smooth you out a little.”
“I hope so, David,” Nate replied, his voice weary. “I should be enjoying this! I’m on Broadway, or—as Colin would say—almostBroadway. Why do I feel so damned sad?”
“You miss your home and your family. You miss your students. And…” David added after a brief pause, “… you’re used to being in charge. The Culbreth has become your little kingdom. In New York, you have to share the spotlight with people you don’t know or trust.”
“Well, I know Tanner is pissing me off,” Nate grumbled. “We got into it today about auditions.”
“Did you smack him down with a dose of ‘sassy mouth’?” David asked with a chuckle.
“A liberal dose,” Nate replied. “Seemed to improve his attitude, but you’re right, David. I don’t like sharing control of what’s happening to my play. I don’t like not being in charge.”
“Suck it up, Nate. This is a huge opportunity for you. Don’t piss it away for stupid reasons. You can cope with not being in charge. You’re bigger than that.”
“Notmuchbigger!”
