Just Playing House by Farah Heron

Author:Farah Heron [HERON, FARAH]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Published: 2024-07-02T00:00:00+00:00

“I can’t believe you did shots with Serena Vox in a press junket,” Tyler said, shaking his head. “Oh, how the lowly hath risen.”

He was sitting near the pool in his friend Tyler’s backyard with a beer in his hand, watching Tyler’s film-editor husband, Angelo, barbecue sausages at the other end of the yard. Angelo’s son, Felix, was splashing in the pool. It was a very domestic tableau… night and day from the party-kid lifestyle Tyler and Nikhil had lived for years in downtown LA.

“Shut up, Emmy nominee,” Nikhil said. Tyler had been nominated for a supporting role on his show last year but lost. Nikhil hadn’t forgiven Tyler for taking his husband to the award ceremony instead of Nikhil.

Tyler chuckled. “We’ve both come a long way, haven’t we?”

Nikhil shook his head. “You’ve come a long way. I’m still on the road. And somehow, I don’t think I’ll be reaching the destination.”

Tyler scoffed. “Nah, man, your screen tests were fire. Everything will be fine when the movie is out. Fans need to see you to love you. This pre-production promo is ridiculous. Their caving to the masses… that never works.”

“But when the masses are this angry…”

“They’ll get over it. Things are changing in this industry. Look at me, a gay Mexican who got an Emmy nod for a storyline that had nothing to do with homophobia or illegal immigration. Progress is here—it’s just taking baby steps, that’s all.”

Nikhil shrugged, then took a long gulp from his beer bottle. He wiped his mouth on his sleeve. “Maybe. Or whatever. I just…” He looked at his friend. “I don’t know, Ty. Do I even want this life anymore? I thought I did. Hell, I worked my ass off for years to get here. We both did. But you… you fit here. With your hot industry husband and Hollywood Hills home. I just…” He sighed. It was brutal. All his dreams had come true, and now he didn’t even know if he wanted them anymore. “The last few weeks I’ve felt more grounded than ever in Toronto—but only when I’m not in rehearsals.”

Tyler raised a brow. “At your parents’ house?”

Nikhil exhaled. “No. I’ve been staying… somewhere else.”

“Ah. I knew that gossip about you and Serena Vox wasn’t true. Can I assume there is a person behind this keeping-you-grounded situation in Toronto?”

“Yeah.” He sighed, looking out at the breathtaking view at sunset. “I’ve been staying with my friend Marley. She’s… great. But we’re just friends.”

“Seriously, Nik? I can see right through you. You in love with her?”

Well, there was an interesting question. Nikhil was infatuated… fascinated, preoccupied, crushing hard… but in love with Marley?

“How long have I known you?” Tyler asked. “You can be honest with me.”

Nikhil huffed a laugh. He’d known Tyler since two days after showing up in LA a decade ago. “I’ve known Marley longer. She was my high school prom date.”

Tyler loudly put his bottle down on the table between them. “Get out of town, Nik… This is Mahreen? The love of your life?”

Nikhil made a face.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.