Dream Chaser (29 page)

“I don’t think she’s his sister,” said Sophie.

Tyson pulled the woman close and brushed a lock of long silky hair behind her ear. His gaze devoured her. He flashed an eyebrow then kissed her again.

“Definitely not his sister,” said Troy.

“I feel like we shouldn’t be watching,” I said, but couldn’t look away.

“I don't think he loves John, the way he obviously loves her, ” Eli said to me.

“Yeah, they should get a room,” said McKenna.

“Woo
hoo
!” Jason cheered. We applauded, and Eli whistled.

Tyson turned to us and laughed. Nothing could wipe the smile off his face. He wrapped his arm around her narrow waist and walked down to us. “So does this end the speculation?” he asked.

“Damn, I was so sure you were gay,” said Jason.

“Pay up,” Troy said with his hand out to Jason.

The beautiful woman laughed easily; the guys couldn’t take their eyes off her. By now the word spread and the whole cast gathered at the edge of the stage like preschoolers waiting for morning snack.

“Everyone, I’d like you to meet Samantha. Samantha, this is everyone.”

“Hi, great to meet you.” She had a mega watt smile. Despite the fact she looked better than a runway model, she seemed instantly nice and totally down to earth.

“Samantha will be helping direct traffic this week. So if you have a problem or question and I’m unavailable, Sam’s your girl.”

“I’m good with that,” Jason said.

Tyson ignored his comment. “Now go grab lunch before you’re due back on stage.” The cast dispersed. “And don’t be late!” he hollered.

Eli and I started to leave with the others.

“Willow, could you join us for a sec. Eli, you too.” Tyson called.

“Sure.” We took the temporary steps set up to the stage.

“Samantha, this is Willow and Eli, my stars.” Pride shone in his eyes.

“I don’t know about stars, but we’re doing our best,” said Eli.

“Hi.” I shook her slender hand.

“It’s great to meet you both.
Tyce
has told me so much about you. Something about Messer something Road.”

My head snapped to Tyson and Eli’s jaw dropped.

“Don’t worry. Your secrets are safe with me.” She winked.

“Samantha has been lead in many shows and knows all the ins and outs of what you’re about to face. Willow, she’s going to help you out during the show and serve as your dresser.”

“Oh. Thanks.” I didn’t know what to say. Tyson’s girlfriend was going to dress me?

“What about me?” Eli said. “I have a ton of costume changes too.”

Samantha laughed.

“Don’t worry. I have a guy for you. He’s about five foot two, tops the scale at about two hundred fifty and sweats a lot.”

“Gee thanks. It’s good to know you have my back,” Eli said.

“Always.” Tyson grinned.

Chapter 34

The next days were hectic with piano tech,
mic
checks, and media interviews. We were now working with the orchestra, who blew me away! The professional musicians transported the show to another level. The cast was so
excited,
because now we knew the show would be a hit. All pistons were running smoothly. Before I knew it, it was Wednesday and our final dress rehearsal was the next night.

“Eli, Willow, can I have a minute?” Tyson called to us where we did our dance warm up with the rest of the cast.

“Sure.” I stood up from my spot, nudged Eli’s foot, and held out my hand. “No rest for the weary.” Eli popped up. As we joined Tyson at the production table, he still held my hand. The connection felt so natural now.

“I need to talk to you both about a change in the final scene.”

Just then a trumpet player in the orchestra began blasting notes. An electric guitar riffed up and down the scale, and a keyboardist joined in the racket.

“Let’s take a walk. I can’t think with all this noise.” He slipped off his headset, tossed it on the tech table, and we followed him to the side door.

“Much better!” Tyson said now that we were in the main marble and chrome corridor of the Overture Center. He wore a rumpled shirt, and his jeans sagged like he’d worn them too many days in a row. Stress creased the corner of his eyes and dark shadows lay beneath.

“Listen, we’ve had a huge screw up with the lighting projector that creates the special effects we need for the death scene.” He rubbed his hands over his weary face and through his hair.
 
He walked us over to the
rotunda
that overlooked a lower level performance area.

“So what happens now?” Eli leaned against the marble ledge.

“We’ll have to do it old school after all.”

The
hair on my neck stood at attention as dread crept up
my back. “What exactly does old school mean?” My voice sounded eerily calm in my now buzzing ears.

“Does this mean we get to
fall into the pit
? Eli’s
eyes
were wide with anticipation.

“That’s exactly what it means.” Tyson laughed and shook his head at Eli’s boyish enthusiasm.

“Yes!” Eli punched his fist in the air. “How far do we fall? How’s it going to work?”

I bit my lip and pressed myself as far from the edge as I could. Hot panic consumed me like a blast of heat in a sauna.

Tyson started to chew at his fingernails when, for the fifth time, I didn’t budge. “Willow, just relax, take a deep breath, and let gravity do the work.”

But gravity was the problem. Gravity would pull me down. I wouldn’t be in control.
Despite the fact that the trap opening in the stage floor was ten feet wide.
I could still miss it. Anything could happen. I could hit my leg and snap it in two or smack my head on the edge and bleed to death of a brain hemorrhage. I shivered at the thought.

“Tyson.” I mustered all the courage I could and prayed he’d understand. “Is there any way I can not do this?” I know he saw pure terror on my face.

Eli joined us from his last thrilling fall to the mat.

Tyson blew out a huge breath of patient frustration and put his hands on his head. “Oh boy.” He contemplated
me and this dire situation
.

“What’s going on?” Eli looked at Tyson and then me. “Why haven’t you gone?”

I averted my eyes so neither one could pin me with disappointment. Tyson didn’t speak a word. He must be screaming inside.

“Willow, what’s wrong?” Eli asked, still oblivious. How could he not see the problem?

He stepped next to me. “You’re trembling. Are you okay?” He held my shoulders and leaned down to see my face. “Willow, talk to me.”

“I can’t do it.” I whispered, because I didn’t have the guts to admit it any louder.

Eli’s face screwed up, and he looked at Tyson who raised his eyebrows in a sign of defeat.

“You’re kidding? Right?” He asked and then dawning struck. “Oh my god, are you scared?”
Disbelief shown on his face.
“Oh, Will. It’s okay.” He hugged me and chuckled at the irony of the situation. My body was rigid like a telephone pole.

“It’s
gonna
be okay. You can do this. I’ll help you.” He smiled up close, so confident and trustworthy.

I stared back like a little kid afraid to go in the pool. There was no way to make them swim or get in the water, short of lifting them and throwing them in. He better not even consider that. A new wave of horror shook through me.

With his handsome, innocent face close to mine, he spoke calm and quiet. “First, take a couple of deep breaths. You’ve got yourself all worked up over nothing.”

I looked into his wide dark eyes and focused on his words. Tyson watched and I’m sure prayed Eli could turn this situation around. I took the breaths and exhaled. It helped in the teensiest way.

“You’ve done tons scarier and more difficult stuff than this as a cheerleader. You can do this one simple fall. Just think of it as a cheerleading trick.”

Which was the worst thing he could say, but I couldn’t tell him that.

“Eli,” I whispered again. “I don’t think this is going to work.”

“Sure it will. Here, take my hand.” He stepped toward the edge and held his hand out to me. I clenched my jaw and focused on him. I wanted to take his hand, I really did, but he stood so close to the edge. I worried he’d slip and take me with him to my doom.