“Nate, don’t talk like that,” Joshua said, grasping Nate’s wrist. “You’re a brilliant playwright. You deserve this chance to see one of your plays performed on Broadway.”
“What’s the projected run of the play?” Colin asked.
“Ursula said maybe six weeks,” Nate replied. “I suppose if it’s a massive hit, that could change, but…” He quirked his mouth and shrugged, “I’m not sure I see that happening.”
“Why not?” Colin asked.
“Even if itdid,” Nate told his friend. “I’m still not sure I’d want to…” His voice trailed off.
“You’re in a safe, comfortable cocoon here in Charlottesville,” Joshua said. “No risk. Nothing new and unexpected to deal with. You know UVA like the back of your hand. Plus, you’ve got the whole huge apparatus of the university wrapped around your little finger. It’s a very insulated environment. Nothing new to scare you.”
“Or challenge you,” David added.
“Maybe I don’twantto be challenged!” Nate grumbled. “Maybe I just want to be left alone!” He threw down his fork and hissed out a breath between clenched teeth.
Colin threw David a look, then stood. “Josh, come help me get coffee.”
Joshua followed him into the kitchen and watched Colin pour coffee into four waiting mugs. “Maybe we should just leave him alone,” Joshua suggested.
Colin shot him a quick, thoughtful look. “You could be right. We’re so geeked forhim that maybe we’re not thinking about whathewants.”
Joshua placed sugar and cream onto the tray holding their four mugs. He stared down at the coffee for a moment, then met his husband’s eyes. “I don’t want him to back out of this because he’sscaredof it.” He picked up the tray and turned toward the door. “If he wants to back out because he’s examined the situation from every angle and decided it isn’t what he wants… then fine. I’ll have nothing to say.”
Colin pushed the swinging door open and waved Joshua forward. “Problem is, babe, how would we know which it is?”
Joshua glanced over his shoulder and grinned. “Askhim?”
David and Nate were still at the dining room table. David had both of Nate’s hands clasped in his own, and they were staring into each other’s eyes. “You want this in the living room?” Joshua asked, and David nodded.
“Yeah, Josh. Thanks for getting it.” He rose to his feet, drawing Nate up with him. “C’mon, babe. Let’s go have coffee.”
Nate nodded and leaned against David momentarily before trailing behind Colin and Joshua into the living room.
“Sorry, guys,” Nate said as he slumped onto the couch beside David.
“Look, Nate,” Joshua said, leaning forward after sitting on the other couch opposite him. “We just want to be sure you’re not backing out of something that might end up being a wonderful experience for you simply because you’ve got—well, for lack of a better phrase—stage frightor something.”
“If you honestly don’t want to do it,” Colin added, “fine by me. Don’t do it.”
“No,” Nate said. “Idowant to do it.” He threw an embarrassed grin Joshua’s way. “And you’re right about the stage fright. But I won’t let that push me into backing out.” He turned toward Colin. “Find me, that lawyer, OK?”
“You mean a qualifiedattorney?” Colin replied, flashing his dimples.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake!” Nate blurted out. “Fine! A qualified attorney.” He stared into Colin’s eyes and smiled. “Thanks, Irish.”
“No sweat, Natey-baby.” He picked up his coffee mug and then glanced at the tray. “What? No dessert?”
“Thereisdessert,” David replied, getting to his feet. “There’s pie in the fridge. You just didn’t put it on the tray.” He entered the dining room and headed toward the kitchen to fetch pie.
“Listen, rabble-rouser,” Colin said to Nate. “Don’t be bitching David out just because you’re all antsy about being a Broadway playwright.”
“I apologized to him,” Nate replied, then sighed. “Iknow, Colin. I’m just nervous about all of it.”
“It’s a big change,” Joshua said. “And big changes can be frightening.”
“Never saw you as a guy who scared easy,” Colin said to Nate. “You’re the scrapper in this bunch.”
“Idon’tscare easy!” Nate snapped. “I just…” His voice wavered and trailed off. “God, Irish, I don’t want to lose what I have!”
