“Ha. Thank you.”
Over the next two hours, Kyle danced twice. The first time was the piece Colt had seen his bit of the week before, about losing his lover, and the second was a solo piece that Allison choreographed for him that showed off his classical training and was about a man who had grown very old, reliving his youth.
The final number ended, a huge company number that showed off talent more than told a story, and Kyle broke everyone and gave them the following morning off. He sure needed it.
“Jake, tomorrow we’ll only do cleanup and we’ll keep it short, and then I’m giving everyone Saturday off, but don’t tell them.”
“So much for being an asshole.”
“It’s ready, Jake. I don’t want them to peak too early.” He turned to Colt. “You’ve been quiet.”
“I ain’t going to interrupt your working, cher, not for love or money.” Colt touched his wrist, the caress enough to draw goose bumps over his arm. “That was cool. I appreciate you letting me see how all this works.”
It took as little as that. Wow. “It was nice knowing you were here. It was a long afternoon, but you said you wanted to see the crazy, so… that was pretty crazy.”
“Who’s this, Kyle?” Danny slid up beside them and leaned against the seats.God. Danny.
“Lover.” Jake offered helpfully, obviously having no idea what he was doing.
He sighed. “This is Colt. Colt, Danny.”
“Lover, huh? You got a new one?” Danny looked Colt up and down, and Kyle just knew Dan was going to be a bitch about this.
Colt held out one hand and smiled. “That he did. Pleased.”
Pleased?He looked at Colt. Steam was building up behind his ears, but his lover was playing it cool. Okay.
Danny took Colt’s hand and shook it, smiling back in a way that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Nice hands. Musician? Where are you from?”
“N’awlins. Blues man.” Oh, that drawl dropped down into third gear, almost, but not quite, offensive.
“Oh, how cute, Kyle. You’ve found yourself a Southern belle.”
“That’s enough, Danny. Your pirouette needs work.”
“Funny.” Danny stood up. “Nice to meet you, Colt. Enjoy him while you’ve got him. He’s not going to keep you.”
He stood as well, fingers balled into fists, so ready to give Danny a taste of the carpet. But Danny didn’t test him.
“See you tomorrow, Kyle.” Danny winked at him and headed for the back of the theater.
“He’s a little bitch today, huh?” Jake shook his head. “Sorry, I didn’t know you… you know.”
“Mm. Yeah. Hell hath no fury…. Jesus. I’m sorry, baby.”
“No worries. I ain’t got nothin’ to prove, and he’s been all working and emotional and shit, I’m sure.”
“He might be tired. That’s no excuse, but you’re kind to make them for him.” He had no idea things were still that raw for Danny. Or maybe Colt was right and Danny was just seeing if he could get a rise out of either of them. Either way, he felt like an asshole. Not about Danny, about Colt. “You ready to get out of here?”
“Surely. You all done for the day?” Colt winked at him, all grins.
“God, yes.” He reached over and gave Jake a pat on the shoulder. “Noon tomorrow? Ish? I’ll text you.”
“You’re the boss. Night.”
Jake, he knew, wouldn’t be leaving for another couple of hours at least. But it was better than midnight. “Come on, you. Get me a drink.”
“Yessir. My pleasure. What’s your poison?” Colt grabbed his guitar and threw it over his shoulder.