Acting Up (21 page)

“I thought you were going to kick me out of the play,” Michelle whispered.

“Why would I do that?” Addison asked in surprise.

“Because I keep messing up.”

“I'm not going to kick you out for missing a note.”

“But you're a professional,” Michelle said. “You work with people who know what they're doing.”

“Honey, let me tell you, even the pros mess up. They forget lines, miss cues, knock over scenery. It happens all the time. Everyone has a bad day. Like I said, we've got to figure out how to make the scene work.”

“But I can't do this.”

“Of course you can. The song isn't very difficult and it's certainly in your range. Maybe we can change a few notes to make it more comfortable in the low parts.”

Michelle stepped back, head shaking. “It's not the notes.”

“What is it then?”

“It's the words. I can't look at him and sing them without losing it.”

“Him?”

She turned, her face reflecting misery and hopelessness. “Luke.”

Of course
. If Addison hadn't been so trapped in her own daydreams over what had happened in her aunt's attic, she would have realized sooner. “You're embarrassed to be singing a love song to Luke.”

“Sing to him? I can't look at him. Period.” Michelle paced across the stage. “I turn into a blubbering idiot. My throat closes up, and I feel like I'm going to faint. Then the frog voice comes out. Maybe you
should
kick me out. I'll never be able to sing a duet with him. Not without falling on my face or my voice cracking.”

“No one is getting kicked out.”

“Then what am I going to do?”

“Use it.”

Michelle's brow crinkled in confusion. “Huh?”

Addison walked over and took Michelle's hands. “This scene is about Ellie realizing she cares for Harry. It's about love. So, take all your feelings and put them into the song. Part of being a performer is harnessing emotions and letting them come out through your voice, your face, your body. You have to let go and feel.”

“How?”

“Forget Michelle. Forget Luke. Think of Ellie. What she's feeling and wanting. Look at Harry and make him understand.”

For a moment, Addison feared Michelle would give up, but then she seemed to gather her courage. “Okay, I'll try.”

“Good girl,” Addison said.

She went out and found Luke, who was sitting on a chair in the hallway. He sprang to his feet. “Everything okay?”

“Of course,” Addison said, with a breezy smile. “A note was tripping her up. We fixed it.”

“A note?”

“Yeah, but we're good to go now.”

“So, Michelle is still in the show? I thought she might get kicked out or something.”

Addison's shoulders stiffened at the second reference to her pronouncing a death sentence on a hapless student. “Why does everyone assume I'm completely heartless? I don't go around shooting down the hopes of shy high school girls because they mess up a few times.”

“I don't know.” Luke shuffled his feet, looking embarrassed. “On TV you were kind of a witch.”

“I was
acting
,” Addison said in exasperation.

Luke's eyes widened with trepidation. “Sorry.”

With an inward sigh, she patted his shoulder. “Don't worry about it. It's my own fault for being too convincing. Let's get this scene blocked out, all right?”

Luke did a little crab sidestep around her and hurried into the auditorium. Addison followed behind him, chuckling to herself.
House of Fashion
had nothing on the real-life drama going on right here at Covington Falls High.

Michelle waited on the stage. Luke paused to look at her before taking his place.

The accompanist appeared from the wing and sat at the piano.

Addison pointed at Michelle. “Remember. Use it.”

The opening chord sounded through the auditorium. Luke made it through his verse with no problem. Addison watched as Michelle began, praying the girl would be able to get through the song. Literally praying.

“Why do his eyes make my heart beat like thunder?”
Michelle sang
. “Why do I feel this way? When will I be more than something to prove? When will he see more?”

Michelle's voice rang true, carrying through the theatre. Luke was so surprised he almost missed his entrance. He recovered quickly, and they made it through the first page.

With a deep sigh of relief, Addison leaned back in her chair.

A noise came from her left. “How is everything going?” Marjorie asked as she took a seat.

“Better now.”

Addison watched her star with pride. Michelle still seemed nervous, but then something magical happened. Addison saw the moment the girl let go. Her entire body transformed, and her tone became darker, more urgent. For the first time, Michelle sang to Luke.

“I'm more than the girl in patches and pigtails. More than a problem to solve. Will he ever know I'm all that he needs? When will he see more?”

The music swelled, and Addison found herself leaning forward in her seat. Michelle moved across the stage toward Luke. It wasn't part of the blocking, but Addison wasn't about to stop the scene now. Luke answered the rising passion in Michelle's voice, and as the song reached its crescendo, their voices melded together. The last note actually did soar, and Addison held her breath as the final chord died away.

Applause began. The sound seemed to snap the two teenagers back to attention. Michelle gave a shy smile, and Luke blinked as if coming out of a trance. He stared at her with something bordering on wonder.

“I think this scene is going to work,” Addison said.

Marjorie's mouth dropped open. “Work? It'll blow everyone away.”

Addison grinned and rose to talk to her cast. “If only you'd come in a few minutes earlier. They've made a lot of progress today.”

“I'm not sure they were acting,” Marjorie said, following along. “I could actually feel Michelle willing Luke to love her. Or Ellie, I guess.”

“I know. Isn't it amazing?” Addison said, grinning over her shoulder. “Maybe Ellie will get the guy in the end.”

Addison hurried up to the stage, clapping as she went. Michelle was luminous, as if the song had helped her break through an invisible barrier, allowing her true personality to shine through. Meanwhile, Luke acted like he'd been knocked over the head. He couldn't seem to tear his eyes away from Michelle, as if he were seeing her for the first time. And perhaps he was.

And for the first time, Addison thought it was possible
Michelle
might get the guy in the end, too.

From Hollywood actress to matchmaker. Maybe it was a new life calling.

Addison's cell rang on the way home from rehearsal.

“This is earth to Addison Covington. Earth to Addison.”

Still marveling over her newfound matchmaker skills, Addison took a moment to register the familiar voice of her former cast-mate. “Sydney?”

“Of course it's Sydney. So, what's the deal? You relocate to the land of Dixie and forget all your friends?”

“I wasn't aware I had many friends left in Hollywood,” Addison said, with a wry chuckle. “Don't tell me I've been missed.”

“Are you kidding? Everyone wants to know where you went. It's eclipsed Merrick's engagement by far.”

“Good to know. You haven't said anything?”

“No, it's better to let people speculate anyway. By the time you return, it'll be like a coronation of the queen.”

“Fabulous.”

“Speaking of returning, any idea when that will be? When will your aunt be coming home?”

“Her doctor thinks she can be released from the rehab facility on Monday.”

“Wow, so you could be back in a week or so?”

Funny, Addison hadn't even thought about returning. “No. I've got a project here I need to finish first.”

“What kind of project?”

“I've taken up directing in my new life.”

On the other end of the phone, Addison heard someone inform Sydney she had to be on set in ten minutes. Addison surprised herself by not even wincing at the reminder of her former life.

“Sorry,” Sydney said when she came back on the phone. “Did I hear you right? You're directing now? What could you possibly be directing in Covington Falls?”

“A musical. A high school musical.”

Sydney didn't say anything right away.

“Syd?”

“I'm still processing,” she said. “Whatever possessed you to direct a play… with kids?”

“Boredom, depression, the insane idea it might look good in the press. Take your pick.”

“How is it going?”

Addison had to smile. She'd thought her best friend would give her the third degree, which was partly why she hadn't called. “I'm enjoying myself, believe it or not. Plus, I have a boarder now. Merrick's son is here.”

“What?”

“He ran away from home. It was rocky for a while, but we seem to have settled into a comfortable pattern. Ethan's been great with him, too.”

“Who's Ethan?”

Oh, shoot! Why had she said his name?

“Addison?” Sydney said, in a tone Addison knew meant her friend would not drop the subject.

“He's nobody,” Addison said. “The principal of the high school. He used to live next door when we were kids.”

Even through the phone and across thousands of miles, Addison could hear the wheels turning in Sydney's head. “I can't believe you met a man and didn't tell me.”

“I didn't meet a man. He's a neighbor.”

“Right. Is he handsome?”

“Not so much.”

Sydney's laugh was pure evil. “So better than handsome. I wish I had time for details. Although, now I'm thinking I shouldn't have been worried about you.”

“Why were you worried about me?”

A long pause occurred before Sydney spoke again. “Honey, it's tonight.”

“What's tonight?”

Another pause. “The show.”

“The—”

Suddenly, the wave smacked Addison down. Her show.
Her last show.

“Did you forget?” Sydney asked in amazement.

“I guess so.”

“Well, then I'm sorry I called. I thought you'd be upset and need some cheering up. Instead I made you remember everything.”

“No, no. It was sweet of you to call. I'll survive. I've endured worse.”

On the other end of the phone, Addison heard the production assistant yell for Sydney.

“I have to go,” Sydney said. “I wish I could be there to watch with you.”

“Me, too. I miss you.”

“Ditto. Hey, you sound good, you know? And if it's this neighbor-slash-principal guy who's doing it, I think I love him.”

She hung up before Addison could respond.

Addison pulled into the driveway of her aunt's house, but didn't get out of the car right away. She couldn't believe she'd forgotten the show aired tonight. What's more, until Sydney had asked, she hadn't even thought about going back. Addison's life in Hollywood seemed further and further away.

Realistically, Addison knew she couldn't stay here forever. She had a career to resurrect. She loved acting and wasn't about to give it up. Sydney's call had reminded her of all she'd lost. It was a good thing, too, because she couldn't afford to lose focus now. Nothing was going to stop her from reclaiming her old life. Not a play. And certainly not a small-town principal.

****

“Are you going to watch the show or not?” Aaron asked as he walked into the kitchen, no doubt looking for a snack. It had been fifteen minutes since his last meal, after all.

“I don't know yet,” Addison said, staring down at the entry in the TV listings.

Will the evil Corrine Barrett finally get what's coming to her? Find out on an explosive new episode of House of Fashion.

“I wouldn't,” Aaron said with a shudder. “Watching yourself die? That's creepy.”

“Maybe I should watch, though. For closure.”

A I'll-never-understand-adults look came over his face, and then, of course, he shrugged. “Torture yourself, if you want.”

The doorbell saved Addison from having to explain why she had to watch her alter ego bite the dust. Aaron trailed behind her as she went to answer it. She opened the door to find Caroline, Elizabeth, and Diana Thomas standing on the front porch. All of them were holding covered dishes.

“Well hello,” Addison said. “To what do I owe this honor?”

“We decided to keep you company tonight,” Caroline said. “I brought my famous lentil soup.”

Addison stared at them in bemusement. “Why?”

“We didn't think you should watch alone,” Elizabeth explained. “So, we're having a girl's night. No men allowed.”

Diana held up her dish. “I brought chocolate cake. You can't have a true night of pity without chocolate.”

“Seriously?” Addison said, blinking in astonishment. “How amazing are you guys?”

Elizabeth gestured to Aaron. “My husband is waiting out in the car.”