From Sir, With Love

by Rachell Nichole

  Except, she’d been mired in that darkness all of last weekend, and she had seemed content with it. No, not content. Pleased. And it had made him start to hope. Maybe...

  “God damn it!”

  Leo paused on his way down the stairs at Evangeline’s words, his thoughts scattering. She was pissed the fuck off at something. He considered giving her a minute, going into the kitchen to start lunch, but he just couldn’t. He stalked back up the stairs and knocked on her door.

  “Go away.” Her voice was sullen. This morning, she’d mentioned making some plans for them this evening. Since her plans for last weekend had gone so well, he hadn’t thought to argue. But then she’d said the we would include Charlotte. So, they wouldn’t be climbing to new crazy sexual heights tonight apparently.

  “You know damn well that’s not going to happen,” he called through the door. “Open up or else.” He wasn’t sure what or else meant. He hadn’t been able to bring himself to really punish her this week. Not once. But watching those bruises on her ass last Saturday had been sobering. He had liked that they were there. And then hated himself because he liked them. Who enjoyed seeing bruises, basically nothing more than the mark of too much violence, on their lovers’ skin? Didn’t that make him a terrible person?

  She yanked the door open. “You’re a brute sometimes, you know that?”

  “I do.” In fact, he’d just been thinking the same thing.

  “Whatever, it’s not like it matters now, the whole night is ruined.”

  He looked around the room. Her bedroom was a disaster zone. Clothes were strewn every which way. “How’d I miss the tornado that came through here?”

  “Har, har.”

  “Come on, minx, what gives?”

  “I was going to surprise you and Charlotte with a night out. Dinner. Drinks. A show. Except, there apparently isn’t going to be a show, because some asshole broke his leg.”

  “Whoa, okay, slow down. What?” His brain was having a hard time catching up. Probably due to the fact that she was half-naked, which was distracting as hell.

  “I got us tickets, to see Phantom of the Opera. It’s traveling through Spartan for the next couple weeks. I thought it would be impossible to get tickets last minute like this, but I did. And I just got an alert that tonight’s, and the rest of this week’s performances have been canceled. Because one of the actors broke their leg.”

  “That’s ridiculous. There has to be an understudy.” That was the first thing that popped out of his mouth. His head was still playing catch-up. Shit. She’d bought them all tickets to see Phantom. That couldn’t have been cheap. Even for a traveling show. He was so touched. She’d obviously done that for him. That was quite the gesture. Did it mean...? No, he wasn’t going to hope. His thoughts whirled.

  He watched her face and she looked so damned devastated. Like she might cry.

  “Well, apparently there isn’t!” She slammed her phone down on her dresser and started scooping up armfuls of clothes to throw in the closet. She was devastated. He could see it in every line of her body. She tossed the clothes in a heap into the closet and shoved the door closed with a frustrated scream.

  He was desperate to fix it. It was one thing for her to get pissed at him, for him to purposely rile her up, so he could watch that fire burn in her eyes. But this... no, this he could not tolerate. It felt like someone was dancing all over his insides. He pulled out his phone and looked up the local theater, which, sure enough, was playing Phantom, and on the front page, canceled in big bold letters scrolled across the screen.

  He dialed the theater, sure that the lines would be busy. No doubt they’d be getting a hundred plus calls in minutes.

  He waited, holding his breath, and Evangeline turned away from the closet, her face contorted with fury. She paused when she saw him, confusion taking up residence on her features instead. He held up one finger and waited as the phone rang and rang and rang. Finally, someone picked up.

  “Hello, Spartan Theater?” the harried voice said on the other end of the line. As if the last thing she wanted was to hear whatever he had to say.

  “I need to speak with your director,” he said without any preamble. He didn’t have time to screw around. He had to fix this. He had to chase away that defeated look in Evangeline’s eyes. She hadn’t looked this sad in months. And his damned heart couldn’t bear it.

  “I’m sorry Sir, that’s not possible,” the woman from the theater said.

  “Find him. Now. I think I can save all your asses tonight.”

  A long pause. Then, “What do you mean?”

  “You have no understudy. For the main role in the performance. Dumb, but I guess it happens. I can fix it. Now, go find me the director. I’ll wait.” He made his voice a hard command. The same voice he used with Evangeline when she was being extra impertinent. He would wait, no matter how long it took. He would do anything, everything in his power, to wipe away that look on his minx’s face.

  The line went quiet for a moment, and he feared they’d hung up on him, but he pulled the phone away from his ear and the screen confirmed the call was still connected.

  “What are you up to?” Evangeline asked.

  “I don’t know what traveling Broadway show doesn’t come with at least one understudy. This is ridiculous.”

  “So you’re waiting on hold so you can scream at someone? Cause, I want to help with that plan. I’m not sure how that fixes anything, but I’m certainly willing to give an irate scream the good ole college try.”

  He smiled. Leave it to his minx to go from sad and sullen to pissed off warrior queen in an instant. She was something else. “Well, yes, there may be a fair amount of yelling going on, but I’m actually calling to offer my services.”

  “What?”

  “I know this performance. I was in the chorus for it for years. It was the first on-Broadway role I landed, two years after moving to New York. I’d wanted to be the lead, of course. But I wasn’t good enough back then. I am now.” He had no qualms about saying it. Maybe it was hubris. But it was also the truth. Sure, he was probably older than most of the actors were when they began the role, but McGillin was 56 in his final year of the role.

  “You mean that you’re going to just tell them that you can do it, and save the performance?”

  He shrugged. “That’s the plan.”

  “That’s insane.”

  “I know.” He grinned. And he felt exhilarated. Almost as excited as he felt every time Evangeline disobeyed a direct order.

  She returned his smile. “I mean, I just wanted to bring you and Charlotte to a show. Have some fun. I thought we could all use it. But this... well, this might be an even better option. Provided, of course, you don’t mind working all night instead of sitting in the theater seats.”

  He didn’t mind at all in fact.

  Finally, a gruff voice said, “This is Reg, how can I help you?”

  “Well, first off, you can tell me how in the hell you conduct a traveling Broadway performance in this manner. I’m sure that you couldn’t possibly be doing a performance of this magnitude without at least one understudy.” Leo let his indignation rein. He really couldn’t believe this kind of incompetence.

  “I beg your pardon! What the hell would you know about it?”

  “I’ve been an Equity actor for two decades. I know a thing or two about this.”

  “Well, that’s great. But this isn’t New York. My understudy quit in Denver and hasn’t been replaced. And now Quint broke a leg. Why am I even telling you this? Who are you?”

  “I’m the guy who’s going to save your ass this week.”

  Reg was quiet on the other end of the line. “Have you... no this is crazy. You can’t just bring in a wildcard the day of the performance. It would be a disaster.”

  “Normally I’d agree, but would you rather continue to take calls from angry fans whose tickets are all going to have to be refunded? Or take a chance?” Leo couldn’t give up. Not that easily. Sure, it
would be a challenge. He’d be an outsider. He’d have to work to seamlessly integrate himself into the performance full of a cast that had no doubt been together for years. After even a few months together, a cast became like a family. He wouldn’t be able to break through that. Not this quickly. And he didn’t want to. But he could take cues from his peers. And he knew the performance inside and out.

  “It’s crazy.”

  “I know. But I can be to the theater within the hour.” It was barely noon. The performance didn’t start until eight. That should be enough time for him to get acquainted with the cast, the set, and the director. He’d practiced for this performance for years. He’d auditioned for it. He occasionally hoped that both the actor and understudy would get food poisoning, so he’d be the only one in the chorus able to be the Phantom. Sure, it had been a minute since he’d been on the set of this production. But there were some things you just never forgot.

  “I’ll see you then Mr. ...?”

  “Hastings. Leo Hastings.”

  “Why does that name sound familiar?” Reg asked. “What have you been in?”

  “A few things over the years. Phantom, as a chorus member when I first started out, and more recently I played Boq in Wicked.”

  “I’ve never been involved in those productions. Never mind. Doesn’t matter. I’ll see you in an hour.”

  He hung up and Evangeline’s smile was glorious. “I can’t believe you just did that.”

  “Neither can I. I’m sorry, though, that means I have to...”

  “Go. Absolutely go. Can I get you anything before you leave? Do you have like a special pair of underwear or something?”

  He laughed. “No!”

  She joined him in his mirth. “Okay. I just thought you might be superstitious about this kind of stuff. Oh, this is exciting. Call me later, if you get a chance. But I understand you’ll be busy.” Her face had lit up completely. And he loved that he’d chased away that anger and sadness, the disappointment, and replaced it with such excitement.

  “They won’t let me work straight through from now until the end of the performance. I’ll get a break at some point.”

  “Good. We can maybe meet you in town for dinner or something?”

  The offer stopped his heart for a second. She hadn’t eaten in public since he’d been here. Not once. He’d offered to take her out four times before she’d finally admitted she couldn’t eat in front of people yet. This was... huge. He didn’t care what he had to do to get a break in, he would make absolutely sure that it happened.

  “I’ll call you when I know what time it will be. You’re sure you don’t mind if...”

  “Leo. Go!” She shooed him with waves of her hands. “Get over to the theater before that guy changes his mind.”

  Grinning like a fool, Leo yanked her into his arms. “Thank you.” He kissed her, quick, deep, and all-encompassing. Pouring the rioting emotions inside him into that kiss. But he pulled back before it could gain too much steam. He had work to do, after all. And she’d never let him have his way with her now. Not when he had to get showered and changed, and out the door.

  She pushed him away. “Get a move on.”

  He nodded and turned. As he was striding into the hall, she called, “Break a leg!”

  At least she knew enough not to wish him good luck. He couldn’t believe the turn today had taken. Last weekend had been an incredible gift: playing with Evangeline at The K Club, and the closeness afterward. Coming home and spending two straight days entirely wrapped up in each other. And now, here he was, getting ready for the performance of a lifetime. Taking on the role he’d wanted to play for so long.

  If someone had told him a year ago that he’d get the chance to be the Phantom, but he’d have to pack up his life and move home to Nevada, and that he’d have his hands full with such a wayward little minx, he’d have thought them bad. But here he was. He was on the cusp of getting almost everything he thought he’d never get with Evangeline, and now the universe was handing him his dream role.

  Sometimes, Fate worked in very odd ways.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  “So, he’s just going to be in the musical?” Charlotte asked her.

  Evangeline smiled. “Apparently. He called me from the theater a little while ago and told me that they had a great run-through this afternoon, and that he and the cast were comfortable enough to do tonight’s performance. And I already have the tickets.”

  “Theater isn’t really my thing,” Charlotte said.

  “But, it’s your brother.”

  “I know. I’ll come, obviously. What time is the show?”

  “Eight. And we’re going to meet Leo for dinner at five, and then you and I can hang in town or come back here until the performance. Since he has to be back to the theater by 6:45 to do last minute preparations.”

  “Oh. Sure. We can have a drink or something?”

  “That sounds great.” Evangeline might soon be able to call Charlotte a friend. She’d gotten the impression the other woman didn’t have too many of those, and truth be told, neither did Evangeline.

  “Cool. What does one wear to something like this?”

  “I’m going with a dress. But not a super fancy one. A little cocktail dress.”

  “I don’t know if I have one of those.”

  “Well, we can go shopping then, instead of have a drink. You can wear jeans or whatever to dinner, and we can get something cheap and gorgeous after that. I know where to find all the best deals.” She would have offered Charlotte something of her own, but even though Evangeline had actually gained a few pounds in the last few months, she was still a few sizes smaller than Charlotte’s beautiful curves.

  “It’s been so long since I went shopping,” Charlotte said sadly.

  “That settles it, then. We’ll get you something lovely tonight, and maybe in a few weeks once you’re settled at the new job, we can go on a little excursion to the Outlets.” Some of what Leo had pick up at Charlotte’s house had been business clothes she’d still had, and she’d insisted those would do for her new job until she got on her feet again.

  “Sounds like a plan.” Charlotte pulled her hair back, out of her face. She looked annoyed for a minute, and then stopped. She’d been growing her hair out the past couple months, and it was clear it was a bit of a struggle to get used to it. “I’ve been meaning to ask you... what happened last weekend while I was away? You’ve both seemed so... I don’t know... intense since I got back.”

  Evangeline laughed. “Right. Well, I’ll spare you the details, but we spent the entire three days you were gone utterly wrapped up in one another like overly-hormonal teenagers. It was definitely intense.”

  “So you guys are like, officially a thing now, huh?” It was clear from her tone that Charlotte still wasn’t entirely on board.

  Since Evangeline was determined to show Leo why they needed to stop this whole thing, she really shouldn’t be talking to his sister about it before him. But, she wanted Charlotte to like her, to trust her. She was determined to help the other woman after Leo went home. She owed them both that much.

  “Well, no, actually. In fact, I think it’s time for Leo to go home.”

  “What?” Charlotte demanded.

  “I needed him. Benson knew it, Leo knew it. It just took me a while to figure it out. But I don’t need him like that anymore. I’m finding other ways to cope. And it’s not fair for him to stay here forever. He has a life he has to get back to.”

  “So, you’re just going to break his heart?” Charlotte asked.

  She couldn’t break his heart. Because Leo didn’t love her. How could he love an obligation? “No.”

  “But you’re going to send him home?”

  “Right.”

  Charlotte shook her head. “I’ve seen you together the past few months. I’ve seen way more than I wanted to, to be honest, but... there’s something more between you than whatever this started out as, and I think you know it.”

 
She did know it. That was the problem. She had to end it now, before they both broke each other. Because he could never be with her for himself. And when he realized that, whether it was next week, next year, or a decade from now, it would break her, at least as much as losing Benson had broken her. Since she was still mending the pieces, this second break might be one she couldn’t come back from.

  “I won’t let him throw his life away out of some obligation to his dead brother. I thought that would make you happy.”

  Charlotte’s blue eyes turned sad. “A few months ago, it would have. But I think you’re making a mistake.”

  “He can’t stay with me because he feels like he has to. He can’t stay with me out of fear that without him I’ll fall apart, that I’ll let my disease kill me. That’s not love, Charlotte. I know that my decision will hurt him. He’ll be upset with me over it, but I can’t let him stay for me.”

  “I felt the same way. Even though his being here was the only reason I was brave enough to leave Pete. Pathetic as that is.” She cleared her throat. “But yeah, he has his own life. I get what you’re saying. I do. I guess you’re right. He should go back to New York.”

  “Exactly. And I want you to know, I meant what I said. Leo, or no Leo, this place is yours for as long as you need it to be, okay? You get working, and situated and through the rest of the divorce process, and whatever else you need to get settled. I want you to stay here.” She found she meant it. Maybe the someday soon that she could call Charlotte a friend was already here. After so many years of barely being on speaking terms with Benson’s sister, this was kind of nice.

  “Thanks. Well, I guess I better go get ready.”

  Evangeline nodded and headed off to the kitchen in search of a snack. She was doing much, much better. As she munched on some popcorn, she thought of what exactly she was going to say to Leo and tried to convince herself that Charlotte was wrong. She couldn’t break Leo’s heart. Because Leo didn’t love her. You couldn’t love an obligation.