I need to get it together.
I’ve done how many shows with my ex now? This will be number four. I’m fine. Liam’s not even an ex. He’s just a friend. A very kind,very hot,very talented friend. Who is taking Jasmine out tomorrow.
And I’m a professional. I’m a stage manager. It’s my job to make the show go well. Not to go around crushing on the actors. Dr. L would be so disappointed in me.
I shake myself off. I can do this.
I wash my hands, grab some water from the drinking fountain, and head back into the theatre. Cam and Liam kiss over and over and over; eventually Dr. L has Liam bring his hand up to cup Cam’s cheek as they’re doing it, and I don’t want to set myself on fire because it looks so real, and I don’t let myself remember how Liam’s hands feel.I don’t even think about how I hate my sister a tiny bit.
I’ve got a show to do. That’s what I’ve got to focus on.
Except then, between kisses, Liam catches my eye again. And I’m like a notice pinned to the Theatre Board, stabbed right through the heart, because for a split second it’s like he knows what I’m thinking. But he doesn’t.
He can’t.
No one can.
***
“Right, so we’ll work the trial on Wednesday instead,” Dr. L says as I make the changes to our schedule. “And that way Mr. Cartwright can have time to work on ‘Superstar’ with Judas.”
I nod. “Great. And then, next week, we’ve got Tori double-booked—”
“Dr. L?” Cam’s come up on her other side.
“Hm?”
“I’ve got a couple questions about the scene, if you’ve got a moment.”
“Sure. Just a sec, Jackson.”
Cam shoots me a smirk as Dr. L abandons our planning to go massage his ego. I sigh and turn to grab the dust mop, but Paige is already sweeping the stage.
“You okay?” Liam asks. He’s already got his backpack on.
“Huh?”
“Is it just me or somethingsomething?”
I shake my head. “Sorry. I’m really tired.”
He nods, pulls his phone out.
Is it just me, or does Cam do that on purpose?
Like he always needs Dr. L whenever you’re talking to her
I shrug. “It’s whatever.” It does happen more than I’d like. But Cam is kind ofan attention hogneedy. I glance back; he and Dr. L have stepped out of the theatre entirely.
It’s not whatever
He’s being a jerk
And Dr. L shouldn’t let him get away with it
Part of me wants to bask in the fact he’s trying to defend me. But the other part of me is mad. Because this is my job. I’ve been doing this for two years now. I know how to handle Cam.
He’s brand-new and he doesn’t know how things workand he’s got a date with Jasmine anyway.
