Page 71 of Forbidden Romeo
Camaraderie over, I guess.
She’s barely out of earshot before McCay steps in close to me.
My breath catches in my chest, causing a flutter of nerves in my stomach. My chest rises and falls rapidly as I take in the sight of McCay's determined expression and Maggie scurrying off in the background.
Normally she would tower over me, but tonight, she’s in flats and I’m in heels, bringing us within a few inches of being eye to eye. “Don’t let him get in your head,” she whispers.
“Who?” I play dumb.
With McCay? Always play dumb.
“You know who. He doesn’t get the spotlight tonight… you do.”
My eyes widen with apprehension as McCay steps closer, her expression intense and focused. The dim backstage lights cast blue shadows across her face, emphasizing the lines of determination etched on her features.
My mouth is dry, my tongue feeling thick and heavy as I struggle to form words. The taste of nerves lingers on my tongue.
The sound of my sharp inhale echoes in the small space, mixing with the steady buzz of conversation from backstage. My words come out in a hurried whisper, almost choked with emotion. “We both get the spotlight. There’s room on this stage for both of us.”
“Oh for fuck’s sake, Kate. Will you listen to me, please? For once in your life, command the stage. You are the star of this show. Not Holden. Not even Skyler. You. Kate Fucking Harris. And don’t you forget it.”
The air catches in my chest, sharp and jagged.
McCay is being so nice to me. And she’s rarely nice to me… I don’t trust it, not for a second.
“You spent my entire adult life trying to stop me from being a star,” I whisper. “Why the change of heart now?”
A smile twitches on McCay’s mouth and it’s so utterly disarming, I’m not sure what to make of it. “That’s the point Kate. Nothing can stop a true star from twinkling.” Her smile grows and I’m frozen in place as she steps forward and wraps me in a tight hug. “And despite everything, you shine.”
Tears spring to my eyes as she releases me from the hug and backs toward the exit. “Break a leg tonight.”
“Mc—” I start to say, then stop myself. We’re peers now. No longer in a dynamic of constant struggle. “Laurie,” I correct myself pointedly. “Just tell me. Why did you hate me so much?”
She swallows, her hand still resting on the door to the exit. “From the moment you stepped into Turner Hall, your presence threatened my job there.”
I shake my head, more confused than ever. “What are you talking about?”
“You were better than I ever was. Or ever could be. I needed one of my students to become a star and while I knew you could have been that star, after the Kennedy Center performance, I couldn’t let it be you. The only reason you stayed in my program… was because of Holden. He didn’t throw you to the wolves. He saved you from the lion’s den.”
This time, she doesn’t wait for my response. She simply turns and walks out the door.
I’m not sure how long I stand there staring at the shut door, but I jump when I feel Holden’s hand brush my arm.
“Maggie sent me. We’re at five minutes to places.”
My stomach leaps into my throat. Five minutes.
Five more minutes until I sink or swim.
Holden pauses, regarding me quietly. “Maggie also said you… you might need me?”
Everything around us becomes a vortex spinning away until all that’s left is Holden and me.
And McCay’s honest, vulnerable words echoing in my mind.
In a blink, my addiction is broken.
Reaching up, I touch his face, dragging my thumb along his jawline, so sharp it could make me bleed if I let it.