STAGESTRUCK - The Complete Series (16 page)

I immediately dialed into my voicemail and listened to Marion’s message.

“Good morning, Kate.” She said in a warm, friendly tone I’d never heard from her before. “There’s been quite a development with your Chicago audition… quite a development indeed. Call me back as soon as you get this message; I’ve instructed Marge to put you straight through.”

My curiosity was peaked; I dialed Marion’s office as a near paralyzing excitement built in my chest.

“Kate!” Marion exclaimed as she came on the line. “Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. I spent all day yesterday on the phone with people from the theaters. I don’t know what you did at that Chicago audition, but I’m happy to tell you that the casting directors are fighting over you… In all of my years in the business, I’ve never seen anything quite like this.” She added.

“I don’t understand.” I told her. “I only auditioned for Harrison Kaylin… I’m thrilled to know that he liked me, but who in the world is fighting over me?”

“Well, Kate, it seems that someone involved with Jersey Boys caught your audition. They’ve been considering a recast for Lorraine; the current actress is getting burnt out on the role, and it’s showing. They’re very interested in having you come in and read specifically for the role. The casting director assured me that if you’re as good as he’s been told, the audition will only be a formality.”

“And Chicago?” I asked.

“They’re offering you Roxy. Kate, I can’t emphasis enough what an accomplishment this is. You’re a completely unknown, unproved talent and you’ve got your pick of two leading roles. You can’t make a bad decision here.”

“How long do I have to decide?” I asked.

“Hank Mitchell, the casting director of Jersey Boys, would like to see you tomorrow. Kaylin would like an answer as soon as possible so he can get his rehearsals going.” She told me.

“What would you do if you were in my shoes?” I asked; I was overwhelmed by what was happening and I didn’t want to make the wrong choice.

“You need to decide if you want to accept the Roxy part, or if you want to go out for Lorraine. It would be considered tacky for you to wait until after the Jersey audition to let Kaylin know something. You can have until early afternoon to make up your mind.” She told me.

The reality of what was happening began sinking in and excitement coursed through my veins. “Thank you, Marion.” I gushed.

“Thank you, Kate.” She replied. “A lot of people in the industry have been wondering why I signed you… thank you for shutting their mouths and making me look good.”

‘I’m not sure I’ve shut their mouths.’ I thought, remembering my call with Serena. “I’m glad that I’ve made you proud.” I told her. “I’ll have my decision for you after lunch… any last bit of advice?”

“Both roles could make your career.” She told me. “But to be honest, Jersey Boys will give you more exposure; everyone’s buying tickets for the Matthews’ run.”

“I’ll keep that in mind and talk to you soon.” I told her. “I have one last question… do you know who else Kaylin has offered roles too?”

“I have a list in front of me,” she replied, “is there anyone in particular you’re wondering about?”

“Serena Carson,” I told her.

“There’s no Carson listed.” She answered, confirming my worst suspicions.

“Alright, thank you Marion. I’ll talk to you soon.”

I ended the call and burst into happy squeals and pounded on the wall that separates my bedroom from Janette’s. She pounded back, and then called out “What the fuck is going on? Why are you walking me up at the ass crack of dawn?” The wall muffled her voice but I could still hear her frustration.

“I have news!” I yelled. “Get your ass over here.” I slipped into my bathrobe, walked through the living room, and threw open my front door. Janette appeared a few moments later; her hair fell wild around her face and she wore mismatched pajamas.

“What the hell is so important that you had to wake me up at nine a.m.?” She asked as she stumbled into my kitchen. She started a pot of coffee and perched on the counter.

“You’re never going to believe what’s happened.” I told her, just as her cell phone began to ring. She pulled the phone from the pocket of her sweatpants.

“It’s Serena,” she told me, “oh my god, did you guys hear back about Chicago?” She asked as she moved for the ‘accept’ button on her screen. I put my hand over hers and stopped her from answering the call.

“We both heard back. Janette, I know that you’re Serena’s friend, but I need you to ignore this call… please.” I said.

Janette eyed me suspiciously as she slipped the unanswered phone back into her pocket. She sighed. “You got cast and she didn’t, am I right?”

I nodded; I was about to give her all of the details, but she didn’t slow down long enough for me to get a word in.

“Damn it, I knew that this would happen. It’s not your fault, Kate. You’re incredibly talented, and we all knew that you’d get a role sooner or later. Serena just…” her voice trailed off. She took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, and then turned to me and smiled. “Forget about Serena for now, I’m so happy for you!” She beamed. “Which role did they offer you? Roxy?”

“It’s a little more complicated than that.” I told her. I filled her in on my run in with Dylan Matthews and the decision I had to make in the next few hours. Her mouth dropped in disbelief as she listened to my story.

“I can’t believe that you waited over a week to tell me that you met Dylan Matthews!” She exclaimed after I finished my story.

“I know,” I said apologetically, “I thought it was best to just keep my mouth shut… I didn’t know that it would turn in to such a big deal… according to Serena, everyone at Lincoln Center thinks that I slept with him… that that’s how I got the audition.”

“Let them talk,” Janette said dismissively, “you know they’re just jealous.”

“I know,” I sighed. “But maybe with all of the gossip that’s going around, it would be best for me to accept the role with Chicago… if I go to Jersey Boys, the gossip will just get worse.”

“But Marion was right,” Janette argued, “Chicago is iconic and everything, but staring alongside Dylan Matthews could launch your career overnight. This is the chance you’ve been dreaming of all of your life, Kate. Don’t pass it up because of a bunch of jealous shit-talkers… what does your heart want?”

“I want the Jersey Boys role.” I confessed passionately. “I want it more than I’ve ever wanted anything, Janette.”

“Then call Marion and tell her that. Who knows? Maybe Kaylin will offer Roxy to Serena after you pass… I doubt it, but stranger things have happened. The point is that Serena’s career isn’t your problem. You have to do what’s best for you. But you should talk to Max before you call Marion,” she added with a smile, “make him feel like you’re including him in the decision, even if you’ve already made up your mind.”

In my excitement about the job offers, I’d completely forgotten about my fairytale date the night before. I beamed and told Janette what an amazing night we’d had. The only detail I left out was what Max had told me about his family’s money. I knew it was something he considered private and I didn’t want to betray his trust.

“He didn’t spend the night, huh?” She chuckled. “That was a smart move on his part. Kate, I’m so happy that everything’s happening for you.” She said genuinely. She seemed calm, more content and low key than she’d been when we first met.

“I’m happy for you too,” I told her. “It seems like everything’s going well for both of us. How’s Paul?”

“He’s still asleep in my bed.” She smiled. “How he slept through your pounding is beyond me… we’re thinking about moving in together… it makes more sense than going back and forth down the hallway.”

“That makes sense,” I agreed. “Which apartment will you keep?”

“Mine… I’d thought about asking Serena if she wanted Paul’s, but maybe that’s not the best idea anymore.” She said thoughtfully.

“Janette, I know that you’ve known Serena for a really long time… I don’t want you to feel like you’re being put in the middle of our drama.” I told her.

“Kate, you’re not causing any drama.” She assured me. “And I don’t feel like I’m being put in the middle… I’m happy for you! Forget about Serena and be happy for yourself!”

I was sitting on my couch going over the songs for my Jersey Boys audition when my buzzer rang. I pushed the intercom and was pleasantly surprised to hear Max’s voice.

“Hey baby,” he greeted me, “can I come up?”

“Of course you can!” I replied. I hit the lock release to let him in the building and then rushed downstairs to greet him. We met on the second floor staircase and I jumped into his arms. “I’m so happy to see you.” I told him; something ice cold pushed against my back. Max set me back on my feet and released me, and I saw the tiny bottle of champagne in his hand.

“I thought we should celebrate,” he smiled, “but I know that you have to be at the theater early tomorrow. I got the tiny bottle so there’s no way you can over do it.”

“You’re so thoughtful baby.” I told him as I led him back to my apartment.

After talking to Janette, I’d taken her advice and called Max before I gave Marion a decision. I reached him while he was on his lunch break, and he encouraged me to follow my heart and take the audition for the role I really wanted over the guarantee of the role on Chicago.

“I’m so proud of you.” He gushed. “I can’t wait until opening night.”

“I’m kind of nervous,” I confessed as we stepped into my living room. “What if I made the wrong decision? What if Mitchell hates me the audition and I end up with no job at all?”

“Relax,” Max smiled. “The guy already told Marion that the audition is just a formality. Have some faith in yourself Kate, you’ve earned it.”

I wanted to believe him, but I couldn’t. I knew that Dylan Matthews was the only reason I’d been offered the Jersey Boys audition, and a nagging voice in the back of my head kept telling me that it wasn’t my acting ability he was interested in.

“Whatever happens, at least it will all be over tomorrow.” I smiled.

“But you’re wrong, Kate,” he argued with a grin, “tomorrow is when it all begins.”

“You’re in an awfully good mood.” I told him. “Is there something you’re not telling me?”

He beamed. “I was going to wait… I wanted tonight to be all about you… but I have some news myself.”

“What is it?” I asked.

“I got an e-mail from The New Yorker this afternoon… they’re going to publish one of my articles.”

“Oh my god baby!” I flung my arms around him again. “I’m so proud of you! Which article was it? Can I read it? When will it be out?”

He laughed. “I don’t know all of the details yet. But if all goes well, my name will be in print around the same time yours goes up in lights.” He took a seat on the couch as he spoke and I settled into his lap. I took the champagne from his hand and popped the cork.

“So we both have something to celebrate. You know, I can think of much more enjoyable things to do with this champagne than drink it.” I said suggestively. “Unless you still want to take things slow…”

“That depends,” he replied huskily, “what do you want to do with it?”

“I was thinking that you could take off all of my clothes, and then lick it off my bare skin.” I purred. I felt his cock stiffen against my leg.

“That does sound… enjoyable.” He whispered into my ear. I leaned into his lips and turned my face to meet his. I felt his hot breath against my skin as his mouth searched for mine; our lips met, and that now familiar fire spread through my body. We kissed passionately, our bodies moving instinctively against each other, the bottle of champagne balanced precariously in my hand. After a few intense minutes, Max pulled away and took the bottle from my hand. He pushed me to my feet and then rose to his.

“Follow me.” He said, taking my hand. I assumed that we were heading to the bedroom, but to my surprise Max walked me into the bathroom. He lit the candles that were arranged on the vanity and turned off the lights while I turned on the hot shower spray. I reached for the hem of my t-shirt; Max covered my hands with his and stopped me. He turned me to face him, looked down at me, and smiled.

“I believe I’m the one who’s supposed to do that.” He said as he lifted the shirt over my head. He tugged at my yoga pants next; they dropped to the floor and I stepped out of them, kicking them off to one side. Max shimmied out of his own clothes; he grabbed the tiny champagne bottle, lifted me into his arms, and stepped into the shower. He set me on my feet and backed me against the wall. He took a small sip of the champagne and kissed me passionately, the bubbly liquid still dancing in his mouth. I kissed him hungrily as the hot water sprayed over our bodies.

After a few minutes, Max pulled out of our embrace. He held the champagne bottle above me and trickled it into the shallow wells of my collar bone. He leaned over me and sipped the liquid off of my body; I melted beneath his touch. He took another sip of champagne and took my right nipple into his mouth. The sensation of the cool bubbles sent shivers through my body and I felt my knees weaken beneath me.

Max set the bottle on the side of the tub and then wrapped me in his arms. He gently laid me on the floor of the shower, careful to rest my head against the foam bath pillow. He retrieved the champagne bottle and slid on his knees to the other end of the tub. Max pushed my legs apart and poured a light stream of champagne over my throbbing love tunnel. He softly lapped it off of me, teasing me with his tongue until I cried out for more. Max tossed the champagne bottle onto the bathroom floor; I heard the glass shatter against the far wall, but I didn’t care. Max drove his tongue forcefully into my throbbing pussy; I wiggled beneath him, aching for release.

Max replaced his tongue with two fingers and came up for air. “The champagne tastes so good mixed with your sweet pussy juices,” he told me. He stroked his cock with his free hand while teasing my clit with the other. I slid up and struggled to my feet.

“Switch places with me.” I insisted. Max turned around and slid up to the top of the tub. He rested his head on the bath pillow and I climbed onto his lap. “I haven’t gotten a chance to taste you yet.” I told him seductively. I straddled him and rocked my pelvis against his engorged cock as I traced a trail of kisses from his earlobe to his nipple. I slid my body down his, nibbling his abs as I took his stiff prick in one hand. I stroked him firmly as I took the first two inches in my mouth.

“Oh Kate,” he moaned, pushing my head down further. I pushed his hand away and took control of my movements. I bobbed up and down, swirling my tongue around his shaft as I teased his balls with my free hand. “You’re going to make me cum…” He warned as he struggled for breath. I eased my grip and raised my head.

“Do you want to cum together?” I asked him daringly as I lightly stroked his cock.

“Always,” he gasped as he bucked against his hand. I released his cock and crawled onto his lap. There were no condoms in the bathroom, and I didn’t care. Aching to be filled, I shoved myself on to his throbbing member.

“Oh god Kate,” he moaned. “You feel… so… good.” He gasped.

“So do you baby,” I told him. Max slid forward a bit and bent his knees. I leaned back against his legs and wrapped mine around his waist. I planted my feet on the back of the tub and pushed myself up and down in Max’s lap. He kept his hips motionless as he roughly took my breasts into his hands.

“I’m going to cum…” He warned again.

“Cum inside me baby… I’m on the pill… it’s okay… I need to feel it inside me.” I begged.

Max groaned as his hot love juice spilled into me and I exploded in my second orgasm of the night. It wasn’t until we’d caught our breath that we realized that the water had turned cold.

Max helped me out of the shower, wrapped me in a towel, and carried me to bed. He tucked me under the blankets before climbing in beside me.

“Is it alright if I stay here with you tonight?” He asked me sweetly as he rested his head on a pillow.

“I wouldn’t want it any other way.” I told him as I nuzzled into his chest. I drifted into a peaceful sleep, the anxiety over my audition gone from my mind.