Starlight

by Alexandra Richland

Jack kneeled beside her and placed a gentle hand on her back. “It wasn’t your fault, Beth. Lydia was supposed to pass in front of you, but from what I saw, she was a few steps back from her mark. She did it on purpose. That’s why she was prepared for the impact while you fell to the floor.”

  Beth looked up. Lydia stood beside Jack with a scornful look on her face and her arms crossed.

  “Why are you making this routine harder for me when you know I’m struggling already?” Beth asked.

  Lydia rolled her eyes. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  Beth tried to control the tremor in her voice. “If you’re so concerned with having flawless rehearsals, you shouldn’t be sabotaging our routines on purpose.”

  Lydia glared at Jack. “I’m a professional and did not miss my mark. The problem was that Beth was too far forward. Quite frankly, I just don’t think she has what it takes to succeed in this film.”

  Beth’s bottom lip quivered. Normally, she wasn’t so sensitive, but she was tired, overworked, and with Lydia yelling at her all the time, pushed to her emotional limit.

  Jack stood and dusted off his pants. “Look, I think we all need a break. Let’s take some time out for lunch and then we can regroup and try the number again.”

  “Great idea, Jack,” Ryan said, making his way to the stage.

  After another glare in Beth’s direction, Lydia marched across the stage and disappeared behind the curtain. The piano player stood from the bench and quietly gathered his sheet music before making his exit. Now that Lydia was gone, Beth’s tears threatened to escape, but she held them back; she wanted to display strength in front of Jack and Ryan.

  Ryan hopped up onto the stage and draped his arm over Jack’s shoulders. “Don’t worry, Beth, you’re doing fine for a beginner. As cliché as it sounds, practice does make perfect. With Jack and me guiding you, everything will work out.” He patted Jack on the back and they exchanged smiles.

  “I know it’s difficult, but try to forget about Lydia’s attitude and focus on the routine instead,” Jack advised. “If she pulls something like that again, I’ll make sure she’s aware we won’t stand for such immature behavior.”

  Beth rose to her feet and winced as her ankle smarted. “All right, thank you.”

  “Ryan and I are going to grab something to eat at the commissary. You can join us if you’d like,” Jack offered.

  Beth was thankful for the invite, but she felt like being alone. She didn’t have the strength to put on a brave face in front of patrons at the commissary.

  “You two go ahead and enjoy your lunch,” she replied. “I’m going to remain here and practice my steps again.”

  Jack sighed. “Okay, if you’re sure.”

  He and Ryan walked offstage. When Beth heard the steel back door slam shut, she placed her head in her hands and let her tears fall. She had no desire to rehearse her steps again. She planned to remain in the theater and wallow in self-pity during her lunch break. With any luck, her tears would stop by the time everyone returned.

  Beth crumpled to the floor. With her vision blurred from her tears, she crawled on her hands and knees across the stage to the grand piano, where she removed her high heels. Her feet were sore and covered in blisters, her facial muscles ached from constantly forcing a smile, and her calf muscles felt tight because she was learning the dance moves in foreign footwear. She had reached her breaking point.

  Sitting cross-legged underneath the piano, she let the tears flow. After rehearsing for two weeks, she believed she should’ve been more confident in her dancing and able to run through a routine without making mistakes.

  “I’m never going to get this, ever!” Her shrill voice echoed throughout the theater.

  Beth wept until she was in hysterics. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, her tears ran dry. Sniffling, she lifted her head and tightened her lop-sided ponytail. That was when she heard the distinct sound of someone walking across the stage floor.

  She scanned the stage from her place under the piano. A pair of blue jean-clad legs headed toward her. The person was clearly male, for he wore large, scuffed leather boots. She tried her best to remain silent and hoped whoever it was hadn’t heard her. When the person stopped right in front of the piano, she knew there no way she had gone unnoticed.

  “Beth.”

  She recognized the low voice immediately and cringed, wondering how long he’d been here. She looked around for an escape, but realized she couldn’t crawl out from underneath the piano without detection.

  “Yes?” she replied hoarsely.

  “I don’t mean to bother you, but I couldn’t just let you …” He shifted on his feet. “Uh, are you okay?”

  “Yes.” Beth hoped he’d feel satisfied and leave so he wouldn’t see her in such disarray.

  “Please come out so I can see if you’re all right.” He paused. “Or else I’ll have to crawl under there with you.”

  Beth’s eyes widened.

  “I’m not kidding, you know.” After a few moments of silence, he spoke again. “Okay, I warned you.” He began to crouch down.

  Beth brushed away her tears hastily, preparing for utter humiliation.

  It wasn’t long before she was staring into Aidan Evans’ vibrant green eyes as he came down onto his knees and ducked his head under the piano. His lip and cheek had healed perfectly, and his mop of messy brown hair and the stubble on his jaw gave him a rugged look.

  “Hey,” he said softly.

  Beth looked at the floor. “Hi.”

  Aidan was so close she could smell his faint scent, the perfect blend of mint and cigarette smoke, which she hadn’t realized how much she missed until now.

  “Beth?”

  She raised her gaze. “Yes?”

  The ends of Aidan’s mouth lifted. “I told you I wasn’t kidding about coming under here with you.”

  For the first time today, Beth smiled genuinely. “Yes, you did.”

  He backed out from under the piano. “Here, let me help you up.”

  Beth positioned herself on her knees and took Aidan’s hand. Her body hummed from the contact. He placed his other hand on top of her head to shield her from the edge of the piano as she crawled out from underneath and rose to her feet.

  As she stood before him, she wondered what to say to break the ice. Aidan made the first move. She inhaled sharply as he stepped toward her and brushed his fingertips against her cheeks, erasing the tracks of her tears. The compassion on his face made her weak in the knees.

  Aidan’s hand lingered on her face. They stared at each other in silence. Then he pulled away and abruptly averted his gaze, running his hand through his hair. Beth marveled at his strong chest and rippled abdominals, which his white T-shirt showed off beautifully. He wasn’t as brawny as Jack, but she preferred his physique much more.

  As she surveyed his handsome face bathed in a warm glow of the stage lights, her shame over her appearance returned.

  “Aidan, I would like to apologize.” She felt the blood rising to her cheeks. “I’m sorry you had to see me like this. I’m not usually so … emotionally unstable, if you will. It’s just been a difficult couple of weeks, trying to learn all of the dance routines for my film. I’m proving to be a hopeless dancer and—”

  “Heck, you don’t have to explain anything to me. I think you’ve been doing a wonderful job. In fact, you’ve really showed improvement—” He grimaced.

  Beth’s eyebrows furrowed. “How would you know?”

  Aidan bowed his head and ran his hand along the back of his neck. “Sorry, I’m not following you or anything. I’ve been hanging out with the Spike Rollins post-production team in the building across from this theater. One day last week, I stumbled upon your rehearsal and decided to stay and watch. I’ve only seen a few rehearsals so far. I’ve been sitting in the back in the dark and—” He chuckled and brought his eyes to hers. “I’m not helping myself at all, am I?”

  “No, it’s fine.” She felt her blu
sh deepen under his charming stare. “It’s not a closed rehearsal so you’re free to watch us if you please. I’m just sorry you had to witness my failure in trying to match my costars’ grace and talent.”

  “You’re a lovely dancer.” Aidan’s gaze remained unwavering.

  The compliment made Beth’s heart flutter. She giggled in an effort to mask her nervousness. “Well, Lydia Dale doesn’t think so.”

  Aidan’s expression darkened. “Who the hell cares what she thinks?”

  Beth cast her eyes to the floor.

  He sighed. “I’m just saying she’ll never be as classy as you, so you shouldn’t concern yourself with what she thinks.”

  She looked up. “Oh.”

  Aidan drew a cigarette to his lips. As he struck a match on his pant leg and bowed his head to light up, Beth crinkled her nose. It wasn’t intentional, but he took notice. He snatched the cigarette out of his mouth and extinguished the match.

  “Sorry.” He waved the smoke away with his hand.

  “I don’t mind.”

  Aidan twirled his cigarette between his thumb and forefinger, watching it as if he was deep in deliberation. Then he tucked it behind his ear and flicked the match to the ground.

  “Nah, it’s okay. I don’t really feel like a smoke anyway.” The reassuring grin he flashed made Beth forget the matter.

  Silence befell them.

  Aidan cleared his throat, his expression sobering. “So, uh, you probably don’t remember because it was a few months back and I’m sure you’ve long forgotten about me since, but, uh … fuck.” His wide eyes skipped to hers. “Shit, sorry, I didn’t mean to say fuck.” He winced. “Or shit, for that matter.”

  Beth smiled. “It’s all right. I’ve heard curse words before.”

  “Still, it’s not polite to speak that way in front of you.” Aidan ran his hand through his hair again. Beth assumed it was a nervous habit.

  He exhaled. “Look, what I’m trying to say is, remember that day in the commissary when you saw me and I looked kind of … distressed?”

  Beth nodded.

  “Well, I don’t want you to feel frightened or concerned—not that you would after all this time but—” He tugged at his hair, frowning. “Man, I’m really messing up here.”

  “It’s all right, Aidan, take your time.”

  He began pacing before her, gesturing to nothing in particular. “I just wanna tell you that I’m fine. What I mean is what you saw that day in the commissary was just a reaction to a stressful morning of shooting and that’s all. I don’t want you to believe any of the rumors that were going around the studio about me because it’s all bullshit. Uh, lies, I mean.” He stopped walking and peered at her tentatively.

  “Nathan told me it was all just a big misunderstanding, but even before speaking with him, I never believed any of those ridiculous rumors,” she assured him. “Bad days happen to all of us. Just look at me today.” She placed her head in her hands, reminded of her disheveled appearance. “Goodness, look at me, I’m such a mess.”

  Beth felt Aidan closing in on her. With a gentle grip on her wrists, he lowered her hands. A pleasurable tingling sensation traveled up her arms and when she looked up, she found his face positioned mere inches from hers. His mouth looked soft and smooth. Inviting …

  “You look beautiful,” he whispered, drawing her attention to his eyes.

  Beth’s stomach did somersaults. She didn’t know what to expect next. One thing she did know was she enjoyed their current closeness a lot.

  When Aidan released her wrists and took a step back, she was flooded with disappointment. She realized she had wanted him to kiss her, even though it was completely inappropriate since they were nowhere even close to dating.

  “So … I heard Sparkling Meadow is gonna be released two weeks from now.”

  Beth couldn’t help but stare at Aidan’s lips as he spoke, her longing to share a kiss with him lingering in the forefront of her mind.

  “Yes, it is,” she replied, “and then I’m going on a three week promotional tour across the country.”

  “That’s cool. I’ll definitely have to check out the film.” He tossed her an admiring look. “I’ve heard good things about your performance.”

  She blushed. “Same here. About your performance, I mean.”

  Aidan raked his hand through his hair. “Hey, uh, speaking of premieres, at the end of next week is the Spike Rollins premiere and, well, I was wondering if you were going to be there.”

  “Yes, Mr. Mertz is making most of his contract stars attend your premiere.”

  Aidan frowned. “Yeah, I figured.”

  “Not that I don’t want to go,” Beth amended. “Although it’s mandatory for me to attend, I’m actually really looking forward to seeing your performance.” She quickly added, “And, of course, Preston Adams’ work as well.”

  “Well, I’ll be there, too, obviously.” Aidan scratched behind his ear, a deep blush coloring his cheeks. “Anyway, since you’re going and I’m going, uh, maybe we’ll run into each other.”

  She smiled. “I hope so.”

  A significant silence filled the theater again.

  “Well, I better put my shoes back on before everyone returns,” she said. “Please excuse me for a moment.”

  Aidan cleared his throat. “Yeah, sure.”

  Their eyes remained locked for a few more seconds. Beth realized it was up to her to make the first move. Reluctantly, she turned away from him and walked across the stage to the piano. She picked her high heels off the floor and cringed at the reminder of her sore feet.

  With her shoes in place, she turned around and discovered Aidan admiring the piano at the side of the stage, tracing his fingers along the keys. She wondered how his hands would feel caressing her skin in the same manner.

  “Do you play?” she asked.

  Aidan glanced at her. The sparkle in his eyes was gone. “Yeah, I do.”

  “How about you play something for me now?”

  Aidan looked flustered. “Not now. I … don’t have any sheet music.”

  Her face fell. “Oh, all right.”

  “And I don’t think you want me to play the song from your rehearsal today,” he added in jest.

  Beth giggled. “No, you’re right. After I finish this picture, I hope to never hear any of those songs again.” She stepped toward him. “But if we cross paths near a piano again and you happen to have some sheet music on you, I would love to hear you play.”

  “Really?” His expression was filled with doubt.

  “Yes.”

  As Aidan focused back on the piano, his eyes clouded. “I’d be honored to play for you one day, Beth.”

  “Even though I’m not happy that Mr. Mertz cast me in a musical, I really do love music,” she said. “Any genre will do.”

  Aidan walked toward her with a confident swagger. “Then why are you doing it?”

  Her eyebrows furrowed. “Doing what?”

  “Why are you filming this musical if you don’t want to? Your talent exceeds far beyond this sort of thing. I think it would be much better for you to tackle a part with more depth.”

  Beth’s irritation spiked. “My character in Sparkling Meadow has depth.”

  “But don’t you want that depth in every character you play?”

  She regarded him hotly. “How do you know that my Venus Rising role isn’t profound?”

  Aidan smirked. “Because I’ve seen Lydia and Jack’s movies before and they’re all the same fluff.”

  Beth decided not to acknowledge his tactless comment. “According to my contract, I have to act in whatever film Mr. Mertz chooses for me. So even if this part isn’t my ideal role, I have no say in the matter.”

  Aidan scoffed. “Just ’cause Mertz tells you to do something, doesn’t mean you have to do it.”

  Beth placed her hands on her hips. “It’s not my place to argue with him.”

  “He’s controlling your creativity.”

  Her eyes
narrowed. “Mr. Evans, you may have complete creative control over your career, but in my case, it’s not that simple.”

  “It can be if you stand up for yourself. You’re better than all that contract junk.”

  “First of all, you don’t even know me.” Beth squared her shoulders. “Secondly, that’s how things work around here at the studio. You trained in New York. I wouldn’t expect you to understand.”

  Aidan pushed his hand through his hair. “All I’m saying is if you don’t want to do a musical, you shouldn’t have to.”

  “I bet you find me weak because I like to follow the rules,” Beth said spitefully. “Is that why you laughed at me on the set of Checkmate?”

  Aidan’s eyes widened. “Beth, I wasn’t laughing at you! I was laughing at that poor excuse for a director, Carter Masters. He doesn’t know true talent when he sees it.”

  “Oh, and you do?” Beth’s cheeks flamed as she registered he’d actually complimented her.

  Aidan lowered his gaze. “In certain cases, it’s hard to overlook.” He exhaled a deep breath and his eyes met hers again. “Beth, I’m sorry. I was just trying to help and I guess it came across the wrong way.”

  Beth’s resentment faded. She understood his points about the studio contract and wished she had more creative control over her career, too. It just wasn’t possible for most actors and actresses. Aidan’s situation was unique.

  “Apology accepted.” Her eyes darted offstage as the door in the back slammed shut and Lydia’s voice filled the theater. She didn’t even try to hide her disappointment that she and Aidan were no longer alone.

  Lydia stepped onto the stage, accompanied by the piano player. She halted in her tracks when she spotted Beth’s visitor.

  “It’s time for me to go.” Aidan glared at Lydia, although his words were directed at Beth.

  Beth offered a smile, though she was perplexed by his abrupt change in mood. “I’ll see you at the premiere, hopefully.”

  Aidan made a move to leave, but Lydia jumped in his way, escalating the tension between them. The piano player took off toward his instrument.

  “Hello, Aidan.” Lydia placed one hand on her hip, regarding him with a scowl.

  Aidan looked across the stage and didn’t respond.