“He tried to make me suck his dick, but I told him I was leaving him instead. I knew there was a chance he’d kill me after that, but I wanted him to know. Your strength burrowed into my very bones by coming to the theater that night. You made me believe I could be more than a homeless orphan with no college degree, who whored himself out for room and board.”
“Hey,” I say more forcefully than I probably should. “That’snotwho youare.That’s what youwent throughat the hands of people who should have cared for you.”
Pulling back, I cup his face, and his tears are damn near ending me, so I swipe them away with my thumbs.
“Let’s go home,” I tell him.
“Wait. Can we stay a few more minutes? I don’t want to be chased out by his memory. If I am, it feels like I never left him, like I’ve made no progress, like he still has the power to take from me.”
“Baby, I’ll do anything you want.” I debate whether to say the next part, but I realized a while ago that keeping things from Zeke isn’t the way to gain or keep his trust. “And just so you know your options, the director here tonight is a friend of mine. She agreed to allow you an audition for her next show if you want it. It’ll most likely be a small part to get your feet wet, and I can only promise the audition. The rest is up to you, and whatever follows will be on your own merits. You don’t have to decide now, but she’s willing to meet you tonight, which is why we’re back here. There will be other chances if you’re not ready, though,” I add quickly.
Zeke takes his glasses off and wipes his eyes.
“I h-hate cr-crying,” he sniffles.
Running my hand over his hair, I can’t help the truth that escapes.
“Even when you cry, you’re so goddamn beautiful it hurts.”
“I think you might be b-biased,” he says.
“Not biased. Just not blind, either.”
“I’d like to meet her,” Zeke says, blowing out a breath, placing his glasses back on his face. “I will not let Derek diminish my dreams or rob me of my future.” The resolve in his voice makes me so damn proud.
“But…won’t her show be months from now? How am I supposed to rehearse for a show in New York when I live in Montana?”
“Maybe…” I trail off, knowing it’s too soon.
But is it?
I fucking love Zeke.
I’min lovewith him.
I’ve waited my whole life for him, and nothing awaits him back in Montana. He’s meant for bigger things. He’s meant for this city.
“Maybe what?” he asks.
“Maybe you should move to New York. With me.” I gain speed as I try to sell this idea to him before he can find a reason not to do it. “We’re already living together. I have to leave Montana soon, and I can’t breathe when I think about you not coming with me. This city is where you belong, Zeke. On that stage. Just like you’ve always dreamed. Move in with me. You can sign up for acting classes, do open calls, whatever you want…just stay with me.Please.”
The next second lasts an eternity.
“Okay,” he finally whispers in shock, making allmydreams come true.
I wascertain after the long, emotional day he’s had, Zeke would want me to call the car for the two-mile walk back to the penthouse, but he was adamant that he wanted to walk. He seems largely unaffected by the freezing temperatures, and like me, he draws energy from the constant buzz of the city around us.
Well, that, and I think he’s still riding a bit of a high from meeting Ginger, who fell head over heels for Zeke the second she saw him. He apologized for his emotional response uponmeeting her, and she’d said, ‘If you can bring that level of vulnerability and emotion to the stage, Love, I’ll give you any role you want.’
It was a wonderful end to a night I almost unintentionally derailed, and seeing Zeke so happy right now gives me wings.
We stop to take selfies in front of the theater, and a very nice elderly lady offers to take our picture. Zeke sends a quick glance at the woman who is smiling at us, patiently waiting for us to get into position before he places one arm at my waist and puts his other hand on my chest, leaning into me.
It reminds me of a prom picture, which makes me offer a genuine smile to the camera.
“I like it when you’re close,” I mumble into his hair as the picture is taken.
She hands my phone back and goes on her way, bidding us a good night, and Zeke and I start to make our way home.
