The Last Dance by J. Mackenzie

Author:J. Mackenzie [Mackenzie, J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-05-24T00:00:00+00:00

13

Rehearsal on Monday was harder than it should have been given how close to opening night they were. But some days didn’t click, and today was one of them. It also didn’t help that Travis was still seemingly trying to drive them into the ground. Achilles was ready to drag himself home when Marcela caught up to him by the dressing room. “Hey, Travis wants us to practice the sex scene now that the set is ready. He thinks props put out too many blankets.”

The sex scene required a set piece that looked like a bed but was actually a firm platform to give them more leverage. But to make it look like a bed, it had to be dressed in bed linens, which had to be meticulously manipulated while they moved to give it the look of authentic furniture. Achilles didn’t really think he was in a place to be particularly useful at this point, but this was his job, so he said, “Okay, but I have to leave in an hour. I have a dinner.” He quickly texted Patroclus, Caught at rehearsal. Meet you there, and tossed his phone back in his bag.

“With your man?” Marcela followed him toward the stage.

“With Patroclus, yes, and his friends.”

“Oh, so, like, a best-behavior thing?”

Travis was already onstage watching the crew roll out the bed set piece. “What’s a best-behavior thing?”

“Achilles has to leave at seven for a date.” Marcela hit her mark without even trying.

Achilles got in position for the top of the scene, putting him perfectly in line to catch Travis’s side-eye. He was getting a feeling that Travis’s mood somehow had something to do specifically with Patroclus. Whether he was remembering the various times Achilles had ditched Patroclus for any number of terrible reasons, being protective of Patroclus as one of the most beloved members of the company, or just generally wary of their rekindled relationship, Achilles wasn’t sure.

“Alright then, let’s run it.” Travis started the music.

And they did run it, and run it, and run it.

“Okay, it’s not the blankets.” Marcela starfished on the set piece like it was a real bed. “It’s that I’m PMSing and starving and a thousand percent over this day.”

Achilles stood with his hands on his hips, panting, waiting for Travis to weigh in.

“Let’s call it a night. The props are fine. The vibe is just off today.”

It was a little before seven, and Achilles was beyond beat, but he had to get home to shower and change before heading to Gracie’s.

“Hey, Achilles.” Travis followed him toward the dressing rooms.

Okay, apparently this was happening now. Not ideal. But the sooner this got resolved, the sooner everyone could move on. Achilles stood and waited, letting Travis set the tone of this conversation.

“I— Look, are you good?”

So maybe they weren’t broaching the subject of what was pissing Travis off? “Yeah, just low energy. It’s getting harder to pick myself up after days that don’t click, you know?”

“I know what you mean.” He rested a hand reassuringly on Achilles’s shoulder.

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