Dragon's Heart (9 page)
Authors: Stephani Hecht
“Riiiiiiight,” Deke drew out. “Because the computer nerd always is the hottie when compared to a fireman and ex-CIA agent.”
Blake shrugged. “I can’t help it. I like both you and the character you play.”
“You don’t even know the real me.”
“I saw you in a few interviews.”
“That’s not the real me. That’s what the PR people and my agent want me to pretend I am.”
Deke turned around and began to walk away and Blake saw his only chance quickly evaporating. Deciding he had nothing to lose, he blurted, “I saw you when you played Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream.”
Deke froze for a moment, before he slowly turned and arched an eyebrow. “You saw me in a production I did during my senior year of high school?”
“Yeah, I did.”
Cocking his head to the side, Deke narrowed his eyes suspiciously. “Okay, then what school did I go to?”
“Mt. Clemens High. Only then you didn’t go by the name of Deke Masters. You were called Eric Davison.”
Deke’s gaze flicked down to Blake’s name tag. “And if that’s the case. Then how is it I don’t know you? Are you using a pen name or something?”
God, could things get any more humiliating?
Blake shook his head. “No, I was a freshman at the time, who just worked in the lighting booth and helped paint the props, so you probably didn’t notice me.”
In fact, Blake was certain that Deke hadn’t noticed him. For all the time Blake had spent shooting the cute senior furtive glances, never once had Deke returned the look.
“You were really good. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anybody play Puck better,” Blake said, once again nervously fiddling with his name tag.
“And just how many times have you seen A Midsummer Night's Dream?”
Every chance I could get. Because even though none of the others starred you, at least it was some way for me to remember you. To relive the connection we once shared, even if it was one-sided.
Blake gave what he hoped was a casual shrug. “Oh, you know. A few times in college. I went to one of those artsy places, so they were always making us go to plays.”
Deke gave a slow shake of his head. “You know, most guys who come on to me only do so in the hopes that I’ll introduce them to Mike, Lex or Linda.”
“I don’t care about any of them,” Blake replied honestly.
The tight press of Deke’s lips still screamed that he didn’t buy it. So Blake decided to push things up a bit. “At the cast party for our high school play you wore those really tight red jeans with a bright yellow top.”
Deke rolled his eyes. “Of all the things to bring up, you had to pick that hideous outfit?”
“It did make you stand out in the crowd. I remember that Amy Schlomom couldn’t keep her hands off you.”
“Yeah, she was my best friend, even after I broke her heart by telling her that I was gay.” Deke glanced up from under his lashes, his dark-eyed gaze so probing that it made Blake’s breath hitch. “But, you already knew by then, didn’t you?”
“I had hoped.”
“Really? Why is that?”
Figuring he had nothing to lose, Blake admitted, “Because I had the biggest crush on you.”
Deke opened his mouth to reply, but one of the convention coordinators called his name. Flashing a smile, Deke said, “I guess I better get going. Maybe we can catch up later.”
Even a comic book nerd like Blake knew that was a brush off, but he returned the grin, hiding the fact that his heart was breaking. “Sure, I’ll be here all week.”
He then turned back to his table, cursing under his breath. That couldn’t have gone any worse.
Deke hurried up to the main stage, but his mind continued to stay with the slender blond who was still standing by the tiny table of comic books.
As he took a seat behind the long table where the other actors sat, Deke continued to rack his mind, trying to remember Blake. For the life of him he couldn’t recall ever meeting him before.
Then, just as he was about to give up, it came to him. Of course! Sure Blake had been several inches smaller and even skinnier then, but all of a sudden Deke had a clear visual of the, then, freshman.
Blake had always hung back in the shadows. When he wasn’t working on the set or lighting, he would be hunched over some kind of sketch book. Deke now regretted that he never went to see what Blake was working on.
There was no denying that the guy had major talent. Deke hadn’t been lying when he’d said that he’d been following Blake’s comic for some time. Not only was the story the right blend of sex and action, but the artwork was amazing.
Two guys approached Blake’s table. Of course, Blake had to flash that sexy smile of his. The one that had instantly made Deke stand up and take attention, even before they’d exchanged a word.
The guys were taller and bulkier than Blake and they really seemed to be invading his personal space. Blake took it all in his stride though. He just continued to smile, gesturing with his hands as his spoke.
“Deke! Did you hear the question?” a voice called.
Oh shit! He’d completely forgotten that he was supposed to be taking part in a Q and A presentation. He gave a slight shake of his head and smiled at the crowd. “Sorry, the jet lag is still getting to me. Can you repeat it for me, please?”
The reporter, one that he recognised from People magazine nodded, then asked, “There are rumours that some of the major characters are going to be killed off this year. Can you tell us if one of them is you?”
Actually, he already knew for a fact he wasn’t. While the fans didn’t find him sexy like some of the other cast members, he had a lot of followers that just loved him for his adorableness. While it annoyed him, at the same time he clung to it since it kept him steadily employed.
Giving a coy chuckle that he knew would annoy but endear his fans he replied, “You know I can’t tell you that. Are you trying to get me into trouble?”
On cue, one of the producers waved a mocking finger at the reporter. The crowd reacted as expected, with a soft titter of laughter. The next question was for another cast member, who was only in three more episodes--poor sap. At least that allowed Deke to turn his attention back to Blake.
He frowned when he noted the two men were still there and they had somehow managed to move in even closer. Blake was still smiling, but there was some nervousness behind expression now. Then, one of the men reached forward and pressed what looked to be a key card for one of the hotel rooms into Blake’s hand.
Blake shook his head and tried to hand it back, but the man refused to take it. The man and his friend didn’t seem to take the rejection very well. Their faces grew dark with anger and one of them swept his hand over the table, knocking over some of Blake’s comics.
Deke had seen enough. Not caring if it got him in trouble, he got up and rushed over to Blake's table.
He’d hoped that his leaving would go unnoticed, but damned if a few of the reporters didn’t turn their cameras his way, tracking his path as Deke hurried to Blake’s side.
“Is there a problem here?” Deke asked casually.
One of the men sneered at him. “Not anything that’s any of your business.”
While Deke knew he was too small to take on the meatheads by himself, one of the benefits of being on one of the top rated shows was that security was never far behind him. Hooking his hand over the man’s shoulder Deke said, “I can make it mine and their business really quick if you don’t leave now.”
The men looked like they were going to argue for a moment, but they took one glance at the security guards, then turned around and left. As they were walking away, Blake tossed the card at them. “Here, make sure you take this with you, because there is no way in hell that I’m going to be using it.”
It was only then that Deke noticed how silent the convention hall had grown. Blake must have realised the same thing, because his eyes grew wide as he paled.
“So, Deke, who’s your friend?” the People reporter asked, right before there was a flash as somebody took a picture.
“It’s Blake Tallision and he has the best comic out there.” Deke reached out and held up one of the copies, happy to notice more flashes going off. “You guys really need to check it out. He's amazing and so talented.”
Before the rush of questions that was sure to follow could come, Deke leaned in and whispered, “You wore a pair of black jeans and a Pokémon T-shirt.”
Blake scrunched his face up. “Huh?”
“The night of the cast party for our high school play. It took me a minute, but I finally remembered. What I can’t figure out is what you spent all your time drawing.”
Giving Deke a timid smile, Blake said, “Maybe someday I’ll show you.”
About the Author
Stephani Hecht is a happily married mother of two. Born and raised in Michigan, she loves all things about the state, from the frigid winters to the Detroit Red Wings hockey team. You can usually find her snuggled up to her laptop, creating her next book.
Email:
[email protected]
Stephani loves to hear from readers. You can find her contact information, website and author biography at
http://www.total-e-bound.com
.
Also by Stephani Hecht
Stealing My Heart: Dragon’s Eye
Heart Attack: Going With My Heart
Unconventional at Best: Fan-Tastic
Unconventional in Atlanta: Slippery When Wet
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