Dream Chaser (35 page)

A stagehand reached out to help me off the mat because Eli would fall in another couple seconds. His character Zach is devastated by the death of his true love and follows her to a tragic death.

Another gasp erupted from the audience. I looked up and watched Eli in a perfect dead man’s fall. He dropped through the air and landed on the mat in front of me.

I climbed back on to the mat just as he popped up.

“You did it!” he said. “I’m so proud of you. You never even hesitated.”

“You were awesome!” I hugged him. “And it was fun!”

Eli started kissing my face.

The stagehand shook his head.

“Eli, we have to change for the Mega Mix.”

“Let a guy
have
his moment here, would
ya
?”

I kissed him back, and then we climbed off the mat.

“Can’t you just see Tyson out there about to have a coronary.
”

“Poor guy.”

The giant trap door closed above on the darkened stage as sad mournful music played. We hurried to our dressing rooms.

“Way to go!”
Samantha high fived me.

“Thanks!” I couldn’t hide my grin as I kicked off my shoes.

“Ready for the finale?” She unfastened the belt of my costume.

Heaven.

“Am I ever,” I said as she stripped clothes off me and pulled new ones over my
head.

Fully dressed in my all-white costume of snug low-rise pants adorned with a wide looped silver belt and a little midriff top. I headed back down under the stage to a smaller trap and waited for my entrance. Eli joined me, dressed in fitted white jeans and a tank that showed off his assets. Another monitor allowed the technician to know exactly when to raise or lower the trap.

A change in music from the band and the lighting on stage softened. The music pumped through the place like the best rock concert ever. This was heaven.

Back in the dressing room, I rushed to get ready. Standing in my underwear, I washed the sweat off my body with about twenty baby wipes. A far cry from a real shower, but at least now I smelled powder fresh.
 
I slipped into the little black dress and strappy heels my mom bought and applied normal make up.

By the time I left the cluttered dressing room behind, the rest of the cast had already left.

Except one.

Eli leaned against the back wall in that sexy adorable way of his. His hair was damp on the ends where he must have stuck it under a faucet to wash up. He was dressed in a silky black shirt, open at the neck, black dress pants and shoes. My stomach did a little flip.

“Hi!” He kicked away from the wall the moment he saw me. Appreciation lit his face. “You look amazing!”

“Thanks,” I joined him and wrapped my arms around his neck. “You look pretty fantastic yourself.”

“Yeah?” Eli lowered his head touching his nose with mine.

“Oh yeah?” I leaned up and kissed his soft lips. He slid his arms around my waist and pulled my body against his. We fit together so perfectly. He tilted his head and our kiss deepened waking up all my nerve endings.

When we parted I gazed into his eyes. “I love you so much!”

“I know.” He grinned.

“You are such a shit.” I lightly slapped his chest.

“Yes, and you still love me.” He rested his forehead against mine. “And I love you.”

Warm, happy joy filled me. “There’s one thing I need to say.”

“Oh, you getting serious on me when all I want to do is make out?”

“Only for a second.” I took a moment to collect my thoughts. “I want to apologize for letting you down.”

“Whoa! Oh no you don’t. You have nothing to apologize for. I was a jerk too.”

“No, please listen. Freshman year I walked away from you because I got scared. You were my best friend in the world. When things changed, I freaked out and ran away. I did that with cheer, and I did it this week with the show. I want you to know that I will never run away from you again, even when I’m scared. Thanks to you and my mom and dad, I’ve figured it out and I know what I want.”

“And what’s that?”

“Well, you for one thing.” I leaned against his firm body and peeked up from under my eyelashes.

He wrapped his arms around me again. I snuggled in. He bent to kiss me.

“Save it for the back seat, you two!” Tyson came through the doorway looking smooth as James Bond.

“Sorry man.” Eli stood straighter and loosened his hold on me. I stepped away, allowing air to cool our heated bodies.

“Shouldn’t you be schmoozing with all the New York big wigs at the party?” I asked. “You can’t let them get away.”

“Samantha is holding them hostage with the dress she’s barely wearing.” He joined us. “Everyone’s asking for the stars of the show, and I promised to bring you. Listen, I know we still have more shows this weekend, but I wanted to take the time before all the craziness of the party and the rest of the weekend to make sure you two know how proud I am of you.”

Eli gave my waist a squeeze.

“This show wouldn’t have gone off so well with anyone other than the two of you. In fact, when the school kicked Jessica out of the show, it’s the best thing that could have happened. She wasn’t right.”

I wanted to point out all the headaches I gave him, but decided not to spoil the moment.

“This is my dream, my baby, and it happened tonight with the two of you leading the charge. I know how hard you both worked. I never asked you guys to devote your lives to this show, but you did, and I am eternally grateful. Thank you.”

I couldn’t believe our director, looking all Hollywood in his dark suit, was thanking us, when all I wanted to do was thank him for giving me this phenomenal life-changing opportunity.

“If either of you ever need anything, and I mean anything, from college reference letters to a place to crash in New York, promise you’ll call. In fact, come out this summer. I know you have my number, since you called me at three a.m.” He eyed Eli. “I will never look at a
grape
Power Aid
again and not think of you two fools.”

“Me either,” I groaned recalling the experience.

“I’m serious about the call. Eli, I know you have your eyes set on Broadway. When the time comes, call me. I'll help set you up with some auditions.”

“Thanks. I will.” Eli shook his hand.

“Thank you,” I said. “For everything. You’ll never know how much working with you has meant. Thank you for giving me this chance and sticking with me when I went psycho.” It started to get a little too touchy feely, like somebody might cry. “And I’d love to see New York!”

“Great! I’ll talk to both your parents about it. Now let’s get you to the party. Everyone’s waiting.”

“We’ll be right behind you,” Eli said, and Tyson returned to the party.

Eli and I stood outside the open doors to the swanky reception. The rest of the cast and crew partied inside along with parents, friends and orchestra members. A ton of people I didn’t recognize held fancy drinks; by the way they dressed, I’m pretty sure they were the people from New York.