A Third Boy

Chapter Eight

Charlie

She's gone. I didn't expect her to stick around if I'm honest, but it would've been nice if she had left her number. She left a note telling me that she took $50 out of my wallet to pay for her dress to be dry cleaned. I would have given it to her anyway, she could have just asked, although we were too busy fucking and there was no time for small talk. I liked Hannah; she was a breath of fresh air, a little eccentric and unorthodox, but someone different. Oh well, maybe I will run into her one day who knows. I need to get to work as I have a meeting with this hot shot that the producers want for my new play.

"Charlie, can you have a look at these costume designs, what do you think?" It's Mary Ann, one of my work colleagues, I slept with her a few years ago when my ex wife Nicole made me sleep on the sofa. I'm not attracted to her in the slightest, I just needed someone and she was there at the time, I think she still has a thing for me even though I've told her plenty of times I'm not interested. "Yeah, that's fine. I trust your judgement anyway." I go to walk away and she grabs my arm, "Charlie, I'm so horny right now. Why don't we go down to the basement, no one will know?" Cringing with embarrassment, I release my arm from her grip and tell her, "Mary Ann, no. I'm not interested. There are plenty of other men that would want you I'm sure, just leave the past in the past, ok?" She looks devastated, but I'm doing her a favour, it would be very easy for me to sleep with her again, I just don't want to lead her on. As much as she pisses me off on a daily basis I could never be cruel and lead someone on like that. That's probably why I am still single, I'm too nice, maybe I need to become a bad boy type of guy. Mary Ann looks as though she's about to cry, so I leave quickly and go to the audition room, not wanting to deal with anymore dramas today.

The guy they've recommended for the lead seems really articulate, ambitious and talented. He has a few Broadway shows to his name, appearances in television shows, and a short film that he produced. "Do you think I have a shot?" He asks me, he's very excited, and it reminds me of myself when I was younger. "I like you and you were highly recommended by the producers, I will get a contract written up and you'll be good to go." He jumps up from his chair, grabs my hand and shakes it excitedly. "Thank you so much Charlie, I promise I won't let you down, this means everything to me." I look down at my hand, I'm surprised it hasn't come away from my wrist, "I will need my hand back mate." Embarrassed, he let's go of my hand and heads for the door. "I can't wait to tell my wife and kids, Natalia will be so happy."  I am happy for him, he seems like a talented guy and I have a feeling he will deliver an amazing performance. "All I can say is, Adam Sackler, welcome aboard."