Game of Love

Chapter Four - Playing the Part

Emily's POV

I pushed through the crowd to see the cast list, finally coming face-to-face with the lined paper stapled to the theater bulletin board. "Playing the role of William is..." I said. "Kaitlyn?!"

"Whoa, really? But I read for Duke Eccleston!" Kaitlyn exclaimed.

"So if you're William, who am I?" Chris asked.

"Looks like you got Duke Eccleston!" I exclaimed.

"Guess we switched parts!" Kaitlyn exclaimed.

"Well, if I can't be a hot stableboy, I guess a hot duke's the next best thing!" Chris exclaimed.

"I don't remember seeing 'hot' anywhere in his character bio..." Tyler said.

"C'mon, Tyler. Just let me have this one."

Kaitlyn and I stepped aside so everyone else could look at the cast list. "So... looks like we're co-stars now. You excited?" Kaitlyn asked.

"Definitely! I can't wait to kiss you in front of tons of people!" I exclaimed.

"Oh, right... forgot that was happening."

"Are you nervous?"

"No, I just... Never mind, I'm being silly. This'll be fun."

Just then, James arrived, carrying a dozen scripts under his arm. "Ah, I see you've all found the cast list -"

"Yeah, and I'd like to have a word -"

"Let's just get this out of the way now... All casting decisions are final. So long as you're performing on my stage, I make the rules," James said.

"But you obviously just cast Emily because -"

"I'm done talking about this. If we're going to have a problem, you can just leave now. Got it?" Becca glared at James but didn't say anything more. He shifted his attention to Kaitlyn. "Kaitlyn, can I have a word with you in private? I want to give you some backstory on William."

"Okay!" Kaitlyn exclaimed.

As Kaitlyn followed James to the theater's attached office, Chris ambled over, looking sheepish. "Guess I got a little ahead of myself, thinking I'd be the lead, huh?" Chris asked.

"Oh, honestly, I wish it had been you," I said. "After all... we already know we have chemistry."

"Thanks, Emily. But... Kaitlyn was pretty amazing up there. Whereas I... wasn't good enough, apparently."

"That's not true. You were good... James just had a different vision for the role, that's all."

"I guess."

"Anything I can do to cheer you up? Since we won't be getting that stage kiss, how does a real one sound?"

Chris grinned as I pulled him close, cupping his cheek with my hand and standing up on my tiptoes. "I'd say that sounds pretty damn good."

"Thought you might say that..." I pressed my lips against Chris's, feeling his arms wrap around me and hold me tight. "I know you were hoping this'd be a fresh start for you, Chris... and it still can be. Duke Eccleston's still a pretty sizable role..."

"I know you're right, but... Somehow I still feel like I'm right back on the bench like I was at the start of the year."

Just then, Kaitlyn came out of the office with a sly smile on her lips and walked over to Chris and I. "What were you two talking about in there?"