Secrets of My Hollywood Life #5: Broadway Lights (16 page)

"Ou on't ay," I mumble as Shelly applies peach MAC lipgloss.

"Can I say yes to all?" Laney pulls out her BlackBerry. "I'll send Nadine a list. They'll work around your rehearsal schedule for both the play and the show. It's going to be a crazy week."

"Ell e bout tt," I agree and then when my lips are free, "Well, I'm glad you found me so we could discuss these things. I'm sorry I don't have time to do lunch like you wanted. I am meeting with Seth, though."

"Good, good." Laney nods absentmindedly.

Uh-oh. "What is it?"

"There is something else," Laney admits, readjusting the ruffled collar of her blouse. "Something that we found out this morning. It's nothing major, but I know you're going to be upset, and your mother and I still worry about your fragile state and those panic attack things you used to get."

I grab Laney's hand and squeeze. It feels funny to do that--to be the one that is kind of mothering rather than the one who is falling apart. "I'm fine. Lay it on me. What did Ava and Lauren do now? Dress up as Sky and me again? They are going to freak when they see what we have in store for them on
SNL
. I'm sure they're planning something good." I laugh, but Laney looks serious and pulls a printout from her bag.

"This came over the wire this morning," Laney says. "It was posted on Hollywood
Insider.com
."

I grab the page and read it quickly. It's an article about me being on Broadway. An unnamed source says I'm not cut out for theater. I squirm slightly.

Am I really that bad? I'm not that bad, am I? Forest would tell me. Dylan says I'm doing really well. The only one who still thinks I have a ways to go is Riley. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize she's probably the website's source.

"I've already contacted Liz's father about threatening to sue if they won't take the article down, but you should know the piece was picked up by TMZ,
People.com
, and
Eonline.com
too." I hand the page to Liz, and Nadine, Paul, and Shelly read it over her shoulders.

"You don't have to take things that far, Laney," I say even though I'm pretty glum about it. "I'm sure this is just the first of many stories like this. I'm not mad, just a little embarrassed."

"Why?" Laney wants to know. Now that she knows I'm not going to hyperventilate, or pass out, she looks much calmer. Even her high cheekbones seem to have relaxed, if that were possible. "This is complete fluff. Don't let it get to you, sweetie. As I always tell Jennifer--bad press can be made good press if you use the attention to your advantage."

"I know." I hedge a bit. "It's just..."

"It's just what?" Liz busts in, mad for me. "You're worried the source is right, aren't you?" I don't say anything. "Kates! You know, you make this easy for her, don't you?"

Laney sighs and brushes her straight blond hair away from her eyes. "We really have to do something about your self-esteem issues."

"My self-esteem is fine," I insist. "Everywhere but in theater. Riley keeps telling me I don't know what I'm doing," I blurt out. "It's hard not to feel a little green."

"You were green when you did your first Disney Channel movie and what happened?" Laney works up steam. "You had huge ratings! Same goes for your film roles! You have to start somewhere and look where you're starting---Broadway. They don't hire you for a Broadway show if you can't perform."

"You're right." I don't know if it is jet lag or what, but I'm suddenly too tired to discuss this. "Don't worry about the article, Laney. I'm fine. You can tell Mom that."

"Good." Laney taps a long red nail on her BlackBerry decisively. "I'll call off the dogs." She slides her Burberry sunglasses back over her eyes and grabs her bag. "Enjoy your little dance! I'll see you in New York next weekend for
SNL
."

I reach for the last cupcake and take a bite. Wow, these really are good. Who cares what some unnamed source says? Laney's right. I can do this. I'm working hard to get ready for Broadway. Tonight, all I want to think about is Austin.

* * *

Forgetting about Riley and her Great White Way pasty face (hee hee, I just came up with that one) is a lot easier when you have a mug as gorgeous as Austin's to gaze at. When he turned up with Josh at my house with the most glorious pink roses I've ever laid eyes on, I forgot about everything else and I flew into his arms so fast, I practically knocked him over (which might not have been the best idea considering the thorns on the rose stems. Thankfully Rodney stopped the cut on my arm from bleeding all over my dress). Austin was wearing a tux, of course, with a bow tie, and his hair was lightly combed back 40s-style, leaving his forehead kissably free. Even his soapy scent smelled better than I remembered it. We must have kissed for ten minutes before Liz tugged on my arm and told me we had to take pictures and get in the limo or we'd be late to pick up Rob Murray, Allison, Beth, and her date.

"You look beautiful," Austin tells me for the millionth time as we walk hand in hand through the marble floored lobby of the Santa Rosita Sheraton Hotel where the junior prom is being held. There are mirrors everywhere and I can't help check us out as we walk by. We look so cute together. "I still can't believe you're here. I mean, seeing you, it feels like you never left, but you did."

"I was thinking the same thing." I look at my pink Christian Louboutin shoes, feeling pleased, and then take another peek at his strong profile. Okay, so it's only been a few weeks since I've seen my boyfriend, but seeing Austin feels like slipping on my favorite Gap trench--comfy, gorgeous, and just perfect. Nothing's changed. I look down at our intertwined hands and smile. Okay, maybe I am holding on a little tighter than usual, but that's because I'm getting in as much contact as I can in my less than forty-eight hour trip.

"Next couple," a voice commands and the two of us stop what we're doing and look up. We're next for our junior prom photo. There are about a dozen pearlized blue and silver balloons and a teal crepe backdrop with the words SANTA ROSITA JUNIOR PROM written on it in metallic ink.

"Yes!" I can't help but blurt out and Austin looks at me curiously. "I've always wanted a prom picture." I feel a little bashful about it with all my professional shoots. "It's not like I'll ever have my own prom to go to. This could be my only one."

"Don't forget the senior prom," Liz chimes in behind us. "You can get another couple photo with a bad background at that shindig too." Josh laughs.

"Make fun all you want, but I'm excited." I look at the package options and tell the photo guy, "We'll take D."

"You really think you need an 8×10, two 5 × 7s, and eight wallets of you and Austin in formal attire next to art-class crepe paper?" Josh asks me.

"No offense, Burke, but aren't some of the red carpet shots we've gotten a better backdrop than this?" Austin looks at me.

"D." I'm being stubborn, but this is important to me. "Premieres are about my work life. This is about
our
life and this is the kind of picture I want to remember."

"Aww, guys," Liz gushes, holding her hand to her heart. "That's so sweet."

"D it is then," Austin pulls me over to the backdrop. He wraps my hands around his waist and then he wraps his hands around mine. We stand nose to nose. "Make that two Ds. We want two poses." He winks at me and the photographer gets ready to shoot.

CLICK.

For once, I don't mind the flash at all.

* * *

After we've danced to "Love Story," "Say," and "The Climb," it's time to take a break from the dance floor. Austin grabs us two glasses of punch and we sit down at our table. Only Rob and Allison are sitting there and they're deep in conversation so I don't interrupt.

Clark Hall went all out for the decorations. Allison and Beth were on the committee and they made sure the place felt less like a boring windowless conference room, and more like a tropical paradise. There are fake palm trees covered in little white lights dotting the corners of the room. Blue streamers cover the ceiling and the strings hang over the dance floor (Beth told me they were trying to go for that under-the-sea feel), hitting the tops of some of the guys' heads. There are grass leis covering the food and drink area and the DJ is wearing a coconut-covered hat while he spins. On every wall is a mural of the tropics from the classic setting sun on the sand to a look at the ocean floor complete with scuba divers. (Pictures of Principal P. and Mr. Hanson hang where the scuba faces should be, which is pretty funny.)

Looking around the room, I see a lot of familiar faces: Austin's teammates, Allison's and Beth's friends, even my enemies--Lori and Jess, who tortured me when I was enrolled here, smile huge and wave every time I turn their way. I manage a small smile, which takes a lot of effort.

"So tomorrow we're hiking up to the Hollywood sign, then having lunch at Slice of Heaven again, then we're meeting with Seth for coffee, swimming at my house, and going out to dinner in Santa Monica," I tell Austin.

"Is that all?" Austin replies with a wry grin.

Being with Austin makes me feel like I never left. We have no trouble with conversation when we're together. It's the phone that is a major problem.

"Is that too much?" I twirl a heavily hair-sprayed lock innocently.

"Absolutely not," he says and offers me a bite of coconut cake. "You are going to love the hike to the Hollywood sign." Austin smiles, excited. "A bunch of us did it two weeks ago and the view was amazing."

"I didn't know you hiked it already." I frown. Our plan was to do it together.

"Didn't I tell you?" Austin asks. "It was the day after the meet against Southside. If we won, Coach said we could have the next practice off and do the hike, remember?"

"No." I shake my head. I didn't even know he had the meet against Southside. The guys have been riled up about them all year. They're number one in their division. "Maybe I forgot," I lie. I would have been all over the Southside meet if I had known. Then again, it's not like Austin has asked me yet about play rehearsals. He knows how worked up I am about Riley and performing live. Doesn't he? I know I told him how anxious I am about doing a good job. At least I think he knows. "Between rehearsals, meetings,
SNL
stuff, and my quest to find the perfect cupcake, I'm beat."

"I thought you were waiting for me to try some of the cupcake places," Austin points out. "I just read about one called Buttercup."

"Never heard of it." I look at the packed dance floor. "I've only tried a handful of others. They're my sanity savers. That and Shake Shack."

Austin groans. "Burke, we were supposed to go there together too."

I'm surprised. I so don't remember that. "I'm sorry," I apologize. "I went with Sky the other day after she had this meltdown about her show getting axed."

"How is team SKAT?" Austin's mouth twitches.

"You've heard the nickname too?" I marvel.

"Hayley told me," Austin admits. "I didn't realize you two were around each other enough to warrant a joint name." Austin keeps getting more and more surprised. "I thought she left after that charity kissing booth thing you did. You know, the one where you kissed Dylan." He gives me the strangest look.

I blush. "She stayed in town. I told you."

"I think I would have remembered you talking about Sky." The two of us stare at each other.

I guess we haven't talked all that much since I've been away. It's not all my fault. I call all the time. I think about blaming the time change again, but I can't blame that for everything. Things feel tense for a moment, but I shake it off. "I guess we do have a lot of catching up to do." I smile. "We can do it this weekend."

"Are you sure we'll have time with everything else you crammed in?" Austin jokes, although I'm still a little stung.

"Don't forget we're also viewing our favorite
Clone Wars
episodes," I remind him and he laughs. Yes, the series is technically a cartoon, but Austin and I both agree it is far superior to
Star Wars: Episodes I, II,
and
III.
The only thing that makes me sad when I watch them is how much I like Anakin. It's like in
Wicked
--I so don't want Elphaba to be the "bad" girl. I don't want Anakin to become Vader either.

"I've been TiVo'ing them for you." Austin livens up. "I even waited to watch the last three so I can't give anything away." Oops. Were we supposed to wait? I think I watched the last one with Matty. I'll keep that to myself too.

"So, Kates, are you going to come to Texas and see us play this summer?" Rob yells across the table.

"Absolutely." I grin, relieved for the interruption. "I hope you guys have some games on a Monday. I can't get off any other day of the week."

"I'm sure we do." Rob combs a hand through his long brown hair. "We have about half a dozen games a week. Practices for six hours a day in that sticky Texas heat. Man, I don't know how we're going to do it all and still impress the scouts."

"You'll manage." Austin gives him a huge smile and puts his wing tips up on an empty chair, going adorably boyish at the talk of camp. "This guy has more stamina than anyone."

"Thank God you two are roommates," Allison says more to me than to the boys. "You can keep each other in check. I don't want either of you passing out on some muddy field from heat exhaustion."

"Can that happen?" I worry.

"Nah, they have us practicing early and then very late in the afternoon," Austin promises. "During the heat of the day we're off. "

Good. The last thing I want to think about is Austin being hurt and me not being able to get to him. He's always been able to get to me.

"The girls can't handle the fire so they have to go easier on us guys too," Rob says with a slight roll of his eyes, making Allison nudge him. "Sorry! But it's true. If it was an all-guys camp, they'd have us out there all day and night. Toughen us up. They're afraid the girls will faint."

"I had no idea you were such a Neanderthal." Allison sounds more than a little annoyed, but I've zoned in on another detail.