I’m stationed by the doors, ready to turn off the house lights once she gives me the signal. We’ve got a projector set up, and a big folding screen, and a super-old DVD player that I had to use five different adapters to connect to the Little Theatre’s sound system. But I got it working, despite not even being a sound person.
Denise was on a big call at the Kauffman Center today and couldn’t make it, so it’s just me. Well, me and Paige, who is standing by the DVD player and ready to hit play. She cocks her head to listen to Dr. Lochley’s speech to the cast.
I can’t make out a word of it, and I don’t even try. It’s for the actors anyway. I glance at Liam, who’s sitting on the last row, saving a seat for me with his arm slung over the back of the bench. His hair is still a little damp from the pool, shining in the house lights. He catches me looking and gives a little smile.
I shake myself and wait for Dr. L’s cue. She’s got two movies for us to watch: one a recording of a staged production from London a couple years back, the other a movie calledShe’s the Man,which is an adaptation set in the lurid world of high school soccer.
As I settle in next to Liam, I think he’s going to move his arm, but he doesn’t. Instead he shifts so he can run his fingers through my hair, playing with the ends and finding all the spots where it’s about to curl if I let it get too long. He still smells like chlorine and lemon soap and a little bit of sweat.
I shouldn’t be letting him do this, not in public. But Cam and Philip do stuff like this all the time. It’s not fair. I shouldn’t have to keep this a secret just because Jasmine can’t get over him.
And it feels so perfectly peaceful. Like this is where I belong. Liam’s laughter rumbles against my side. No one can see us in the back row, not without craning around, and it’s too dark anyway. We’re in our own little world.
So I relax against him. Liam brushes the shell of my ear, and I twitch a bit, but he avoids touching my hearing aids. Instead his fingers trail along my jaw, the back of my neck, and back up into my hair. It’s hypnotic, sending tingles from my scalp all the way to my toes.
I never want him to stop.
35
It’s long past dark as Liam and Paige help me fold up the screen. Cam has cornered Dr. L, like usual, so I just give her a wave, and she gives me a nod back. Paige takes the screen, while I gather up the pillows left behind by forgetful actors.
“Thanks,” I say as I close the prop room.
Paige shrugs. “Don’t mention it. See you?”
“Yeah. See you.” I grab my coat and follow Liam out to the parking lot.
It’s raining, one of those late-winter drizzles that somehowsmellscold. Liam’s only got a light jacket, but he shrugs at me and we run out to his car. Its remote unlock died before he even got it, but he unlocks my door with the key before running around to let himself in.
“Thanks.” I rub my hands as he starts the car and waits for it to warm up a bit. We’re beneath one of the streetlamps, but the rain streaking down the windshield turns the light into amber stars, shining across Liam’s face.
“I had fun today,” I say.
“Me too. It felt like... like we were on a real date.”
My chest burns. “Weren’t we?”
“I guess.”
“We swam together. Kissed in the pool. Cuddled through two movies.”
“Yeah. You’re right.” Liam sighs. “I just wish we didn’t have to be so careful.”
“Me too. But if the cast finds out, Jasmine will find out.”
“Would it really be the end of the world?”
“It would.” I chew my lip. “I tried talking to her the other day.”
“Oh yeah?”
“But it didn’t go so well. She’s still just... I don’t know. Hurt.”
Liam purses his lips and blows out a slow raspberry. “Yeah. I really messed up, huh?”
“No. No. You didn’t know I liked you. I didn’t know you liked me. It was no one’s fault.”
“You don’t have to say that,” he says. “Itwasmy fault. I could’ve turned her down. I could’ve told you how I felt. I should’ve been honest.”
