Acting Up (8 page)

“Who's the town crier?” Addison asked.

“Robin Bradley. She auditioned yesterday.”

“She was one of the bad ones, right?”

“She struggled,” Marjorie admitted, as though reluctant to say anything negative about a student.

“Ask her to be the stage manager.”

“Really?”

“She didn't get cast, but yet she's thrilled for everyone else. I need someone like her on my side.”

“Sounds good to me.”

Michelle pulled her eyes off the board and turned toward Addison, as if seeking confirmation. Addison nodded, and Michelle put a hand to her mouth. Even from where she stood, Addison could see tears fill the young girl's eyes. Michelle pushed past the other students and walked over to where Addison stood.

“I can't believe it,” Michelle said.

“I don't know why,” Addison answered. “You're amazing.”

Michelle suddenly shrieked and launched herself at Marjorie.
“Thank you! Thankyouthankyouthankyou!”

Marjorie laughed as she hugged the girl back. “Congratulations, Michelle.”

Michelle hesitated in front of Addison, perhaps unsure if she'd accept an embrace.

“Go ahead,” Addison said. She braced herself, but the impact of Michelle's body still nearly toppled them both.

“Thank you,” Michelle said in Addison's ear. “I won't let you down.”

“That went okay, don't you think?” Addison asked, after Michelle had retreated back to other students. “Other than the Queen Bee leaving in a snit?”

“We shouldn't call Lisa the Queen Bee,” Marjorie said with a frown.

“Right… sorry,” Addison said, back-pedaling fast. “Old resentments surfacing.”

A long look followed. “I guess you can go out the front door. The kids won't even notice you leaving.”

“I don't know if I should be happy about being ignored. I already have a complex about that.”

Marjorie laughed. “Don't worry. I'm sure you'll get a lot of positive attention once rehearsals start.”

“Do you think Lisa will make trouble?” Addison asked, as they walked back out to the parking lot. “She didn't look happy.”

“Oh, I wouldn't worry. She's a bit over-indulged, but she'll accept the situation with grace, I'm sure.”

Ethan Thomas' day officially went off the rails at 3:33 p.m.

Before 3:30 p.m., his day had been pretty uneventful. A couple detentions, two junior boys setting off a stink bomb in the boys' locker room, and a freshman boy who freaked out a class full of girls with his pet tarantula, Barney.

Nothing he couldn't handle with a stern look and a solemn vow from the student to never to bring any type of arachnid to school.

All was well in High School Land. The problem of the musical was solved, and he no longer had to feel like a jerk for treating Addison Covington so badly.

Then his administrative assistant, Nancy, showed up in his doorway. “Mr. Thomas, there are some parents gathering out here. I think you're going to want to see them.”

“Who is it?”

“Mrs. Turney, and she's brought back-up this time.”

“Again? What does she want?” The reason didn't matter. Ethan already knew he wasn't going to enjoy this visit.

“She mentioned Ms. Covington.”

Great, now what?
He stifled a groan but stood to follow Nancy.

Ethan emerged into the outer office to find a small knot of parents gathered in the waiting area. He kept a smile in place and approached them without hesitation. He couldn't afford to show any fear. Angry parents were like sharks, and if they smelled blood, they'd move in for the kill.

“Mrs. Turney, how can I help you?” he asked, holding out his hand.

Mrs. Turney ignored his friendly overture. “I won't have it, Ethan Thomas.”

Several of the other parents sported matching bullish expressions. Ethan knew he had to keep control, though. “Please calm down and tell me what's wrong.”

“What's wrong?” Mrs. Turney puffed up her chest, eyes widening with indignation. “What's wrong is I told you to fix this issue with the musical. I told you we needed a director.”

“I found one, ma'am.”

“What you found is an unmitigated disaster. I asked you to find a real director, not some washed-up, scandal-ridden Hollywood
actress.
”

“Ms. Covington is imminently qualified to…”

“She's no more qualified than I am,” Mrs. Turney said, cutting him off. “I cannot believe you would dare to bring
that
woman into
our
school, exposing our children to all manner of depravity.”

He tried again. “Mrs. Turney…”

“I informed you nothing could get in the way of my Lisa realizing her destiny. When she told me what happened, I knew I had to come down here. Obviously you've been taken in and don't realize the danger she poses to our children. She must be removed immediately.”

“And you brought along some of your friends?” Ethan asked, indicating the other anxious parents around him.

“I made some calls,” she said. “There are more people on their way now. We demand a meeting so we can hear how you plan to resolve this untenable situation.”

He felt a headache coming on. “All right. For now could you all please go wait in the hallway?”

The parents shuffled out of the office with obvious reluctance.

Nancy appeared at his shoulder. “Mrs. Turney would drive a saint to drink.”

His lips twitched, but he hid any sign of amusement as he glanced over at his administrative assistant. “Do you have any idea what happened today? Last I heard, everyone was thrilled to have Addison directing this show.”

“They were, until she cast Michelle Cerillo as the female lead.”

“Michelle Cerillo?” he said in surprise. “She barely says a word to anyone.”

“She may not talk much, but the girl can sing like an angel apparently. Marjorie Shannon told me the whole theatre was stunned after her audition.”

“Which must be what has Mrs. Turney up in arms.”

Nancy lifted a brow. “Far be it from me to criticize a mother trying to protect her child, but that woman needs a hobby.”

Ethan didn't quite hide his grin this time. “We need to set up for a meeting. I'll call Addison and get her down here.”

“Is that wise?” she asked with a worried expression. “It might be best to keep Ms. Covington as far away as possible. If she waltzes in here wearing her designer clothes and a high-and-mighty attitude, she'll only make their case.”

Ethan frowned. “Why do you assume Addison would pull a diva act?”

“She was pretty convincing on
House of Fashion
,” Nancy said, doubt in her eyes. “Plus, she did punch her co-star on live TV. Poor girl.”

“A poor girl who stole Addison's husband,” Ethan pointed out.

He felt his temper rise and then wondered why he cared. He didn't know Addison anymore. A week ago he might have said the same things about her. Except a week ago he hadn't glimpsed the utter devastation in her eyes when she'd overheard the news report about her ex-husband. There had been another one later when she'd watched his brothers with their wives.

Sure, Addison was an actress, but he didn't think she was
that
good at faking emotions. In fact, he was beginning to think there was more to Addison Covington than her public image and scandalous behavior revealed.

“Sounds like you're going to fight to keep Ms. Covington and her female lead,” Nancy said.

“I don't like being bullied,” he said as picked up the phone and dialed.

Addison answered on the second ring. “Principal Thomas, to what do I owe this honor? Was I tardy to class today? Perhaps I need a visit to the principal's office.”

Her voice flowed through the phone to touch his nerve endings, and he fought back the visceral reaction. He had no time for
any
reactions. No time to wonder why this confusing, confounding woman intrigued him so much.

“I need you to come to the school,” he said, attempting to block out everything but the situation at hand. If he wasn't careful, he'd have a war on his hands. Nothing got parents more riled up than a perceived threat to their children. Nothing was more guaranteed to get the school board — and even the mayor — involved either.

Addison dropped the flirtatious tone immediately. “Why?”

“I'm in the middle of a minor implosion.”

“Over what?”

“I'll explain when you get here.” He suddenly remembered Nancy's comment. “Oh and Addison…”

“Yes?”

“Don't wear anything… provocative.”

“I'm sorry?”

“If there's one time you don't want to look like a Hollywood starlet, today would be it.”

Silence hit him on the other end of the line before she answered. “So you're saying the evening gown I was planning to wear might be overkill?”

The tension in his shoulders eased a little. “Probably, although I might like to see that dress.”

“Shocking… I am appalled, Mr. Thomas.”

“Because I like to look at beautiful women in sexy dresses?”

“No, that you don't know daytime is strictly for cocktail attire,” she said with a soft chuckle. “Thank you for the compliment, though.”

The low, sexy sound of her laughter sent shivers down his spine, reminding him of how dangerous Addison Covington could be to his sanity… not to mention his libido. Ethan was convinced he had no business flirting with someone like her.

He reigned in his emotions again. “How soon can you be here?”

“A half hour, and don't worry, I'll rustle up some Regular Jane duds.”

“Thanks.” Ethan headed back out to face the angry mob.

“What's that look about?” Nancy asked as he passed.

He jerked around. “What?”

She pointed to his face. “You're smiling.”

He was? “I am?”

Her stare became speculative. “Did you speak to Ms. Covington?”

“Yes, she's on her way now.”

“I see.”

For a moment he feared Nancy could see every wayward thought running through his head. “I'm going out front to meet her.”

“Where do you want all the parents?” she asked.

Just like that, his tension returned. “All?”

“The group in here was just the first line. Mrs. Turney sure did work everyone up into a tizzy.”

“Put them in the chorus room.”

He went outside to wait for Addison. He was disconcerted to find the parking lot almost completely full, with more parents arriving. He couldn't help feeling as if he were suddenly under siege. A half hour later, Addison's car turned into the school.

He drew in a deep breath when she emerged and started walking toward him. Her Regular Jane attire included dark blue jeans and a white, button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up. Her hair was loose to her shoulders. On anyone else, the outfit would have been plain and unassuming, but Addison Covington was anything but plain. She could probably make a garbage bag look sexy. He tried not to appreciate the sway of her hips as she moved, but he was a man, and the undulating movement was almost hypnotic.

She stopped in front of him and ran a critical eye up and down his frame. “You look like you've been trying to yank out your hair.”

“It's been a tense afternoon.”

“Right. Do I get the scoop on what's going down now?”

He turned to open the door. “Lisa Turney's parents have decided to make a stink over their daughter not getting cast as the lead. The two of them marched into my office and demanded I do something.”

Addison reached out and grabbed his arm. “Hold on. How are you planning to do something? Do I have to make Lisa the lead instead of Michelle?”

Why did she just assume he'd cave? “Who is the best choice to play the lead?”

“Michelle,” she answered without hesitation.

“Then she's staying the lead.”

“So you're going to back me up?” she asked, clearly shocked he would.

She must also assume he was a pushover. He didn't know what kind of characters she'd dealt with in Hollywood, but where he came from, people stood up for what they believed. He clenched his jaw and drew his shoulders back. “Of course I am.”

Those blue eyes widened, and then he heard something extraordinary. A little hitch in her breath signaling… what? Was it possible she felt the same pull of attraction? Could he even afford to wonder?

No… absolutely not.

“We should go inside,” he said, gesturing for her to precede him into the school.

His words seemed to snap them both to attention. “All right. Are we getting to the part about why I'm here?”

He rounded a corner. “Lisa's mother and father have organized a parent protest. They want you out.”

“I thought everyone was thrilled to have me as the director.”

“Some are. The ones who showed up today have decided you're not a good influence on their kids. Their argument boils down to a general antipathy toward Hollywood, the entertainment industry, and low morals.”