Did he just call me baby in front of a room full of people?
Or was it a general cheer common for a hockey player?
The public persona inside me hopes it’s the latter. But I can’t do anything to stop the fluttering in my stomach. It only builds as I make my way off stage. The curtain closes and the stage lights switch to running lights.
Show over.
I hang backstage to help get things cleaned up and returned to storage properly. When everything is where it should be, I head into the hallway.
Families are embracing, kids shrugging off hugs because they’re too cool, moms and dads come to give me hugs and handshakes, and at the end ofthe hall stands Duncan with his hands in his pockets, one ankle crossed over the other, just watching me.
He's in no rush, he almost seems like he wants to wait until I'm finished with everyone else. I can see through his glasses clearly here and the fluttering from my stomach earlier flits through my entire body.
Save the best for last.
I make my way up the hallway to him and his smile grows as I approach.
"Thank you for coming."
"I haven't come yet." He wags a finger at me.
I smack it down. "There are kids and families around."
"Well the parents definitely know about it. And they're teens, if they don't know what coming is they're in for a rude awakening."
"Oh my god Duncan."
"What?" He shrugs. His smile widens. "Great job tonight."
"Thanks."
"Why don't you come by my place instead of going home?"
"For another great job tonight?" I mumble quietly as I lean in closer to him. Oranges and bonfire fills my head as my mind pictures the two of us in sweats watching a show before going to bed. I haven’t been able to just hang out with him in two weeks because of his travel schedule and I miss it.
I miss him.
And I want as much time with him as possible before I leave.
"Ha!" His laugh barks and echoes in the hallway. "Of course, you know you can count on me for a good time."
Duncan pulls me into a hug and I’m startled by the public display of affection for a moment before I close my arms around him.
Stage Rhys is reeling.
Real Rhys is begging for more.
He sighs. "It’s good to see you again. And, fuck Rhys, you singing on stage is so hot."
I laugh and squeeze tighter for a moment before pulling back. "I’ll see you at home."
With that he claps my chest and turns away.
I watch him leave. His ass in those dress pants is a sight to see. His tapered waist under a belt and the perfectly tailored button up shirt he has tucked in is every boss daddy fantasy come to life.
A throat clears behind me. "Didn’t want to introduce your friend?" Zara asks too innocently.
"Nope." I move past her back towards the exit behind the stage.
