Exit Stage Left by Gail Nall Read Free Book Online Page A

together.
    “Maria has a lot of lines,” Amanda says again, in a way that clearlyindicates she’s afraid she can’t remember them all.
    “That’s because it’s the lead.” I bite my lip to keep the jealousy from rolling out. I’m supposed to be happy for her. “Sorry. You’re right. If you want, I can read them with you sometime.” Which will be like rubbing salt into the wound, but she needs help. She refused to let me fail Algebra II last year, and I refuse to let her be a flop onstage, even if it kills me.
    “Really?” Amanda’s face lights up. “What about Sunday afternoon, after rehearsal?”
    “Sure,” I say, kind of flat. “I think Eric’s waiting. See you then.” I don’t even give her the chance to offer me a ride home. Instead, I race to the parking lot—where Trevor’s leaning against Eric’s sorry excuse for a car.
    I stop in my tracks.
    “Thought you might show up here,” he says. “Want a ride?”
    My heart thumps. The easiest answer is yes. But I remember our rides home. They were about 10 percent driving and 90 percent kissing at stop signs.
    “No,” I finally say. “I’ll wait for Eric.”
    He pushes himself away from the car and reaches for my hand. I’m just about to yank it away when he says, “For what it’s worth, you should’ve gotten that role.”
    He should not affect me at all, but those words are exactly what I need to hear. Pull it together, Casey. “You know we’re not together anymore, right?”
    “I know.” And with that, he takes a step forward, and before I caneven wrap my head around it, his mouth is on mine.
    I promptly forget why I ended things with him. I must’ve been crazy. I must’ve completely forgotten how warm his lips are and how solid and comforting he feels when he’s this close to me.
    When he stops, I open my eyes, completely dizzy and a little unsure of what just happened.
    He pushes my hair back and says, “I knew it was just about time.”
    “Time?” My brain is taking its own sweet time at working again.
    “It’s been about three months.” He’s still running a hand through my hair as he studies my face.
    Three months. Which means it’s time for us to get back together. Except . . .
    I shake my head. “That was for good, Trevor. I’m sorry. . . . I . . .” I back away and push my own hair back behind my ears. “I have to concentrate. Figure out what I’m doing, okay?”
    “Figure out what?” he asks.
    “I don’t know. My life? I just got theater-dumped. I . . . I need more time.” This is weird. I’m feeling really out of control here, and I don’t like it. “Isn’t Gabby waiting for you?”
    Trevor shoves his hands into his pockets. He smiles, which means he isn’t taking the bait. For like the first time ever. “Right. You sure you don’t want a ride?”
    I nod. “Thanks.”
    He disappears through the mostly empty parking lot toward his own car.
    I open Eric’s unlocked door and throw myself in. I curl up in thefront seat while I wait for him to finish rehearsing with his band. And to drive Trevor out of my head, I entertain guilty daydreams of an opening night when both Amanda and her understudy get sick, and I’m the only possible replacement for Maria.
    I spend Saturday at home, practicing the whole two lines I have in the play. An exaggeration, but exaggeration is pretty much my bread and butter. I catch Eric dozing off in the family room and make him read the part of Maria and the other nuns I have scenes with. It’s so hilarious that I threaten to get him a habit and find him a role in the chorus.
    “A habit! You’re going to have to wear a habit onstage.” Eric bursts out laughing. “Now that’s something I can’t wait to see. Can I borrow it to wear to Charlie’s Halloween party?”
    I smack at him, but my hand just barely brushes his shaggy brown hair. He ducks and runs laughing from the family room.
    Oh. My. God. He’s right. I’m going to have the most hideous costume of all time. A