Heartsville 02 - Unscripted (Nico Jaye) by Heartsville Read Free Book Online Page A

not that, it’s just… you didn’t have to.”
    There was a pause before Carter spoke again. “It’s important to you, and I have an interest in the Oasis’s success. While I’m around, I want it to succeed.”
    Teddy bit his lip nervously. He had to ask. “And… do you know? How long that’ll be?”
    Carter sent him a measured look before finally saying, “I don’t.”
    Gathering his courage, Teddy decided to throw it out there. “Well, for what it’s worth, I think you’d be great for us.” Teddy paused, offering a shy smile. “And we’d be great for you.”
    Carter approached him slowly and brushed Teddy’s hair back from his brow. There was a soft look in his eyes that had Teddy licking his lips nervously. Carter’s gaze darted down before meeting Teddy’s. “I’ll let you know soon,” Carter said quietly with a small nod. “See you tomorrow.”
    A slice of the afternoon sun came and went when Carter pushed open the lobby door upon his exit. Teddy watched him for a moment before turning back toward the office, lost in thought.
    When Teddy had said Carter would be great for them and they’d be great for Carter, he’d meant the Oasis… right?
    Or had his subconscious been trying to offer Carter more?
     
    ***
     
    The next day, Teddy chose to focus on showing Carter what occurred the day of a performance. Opening night for Twelfth Night would be at eight that evening, and there was a lot that went on last minute no matter how well rehearsed the production. After showing Carter the light check system, they did a walk-through of the storage area behind the dressing rooms. It was a dark room with stacks of plastic storage totes in various colors.
    “We have a lot of random stuff that’s accumulated over the years,” Teddy admitted with a short laugh. “But it’s hard to get rid of anything when it might be useful later on.”
    Carter laughed softly. “And do these hoarder tendencies extend to your everyday life, Teodoro?” An amused smile curled his lips.
    Teddy’s heart skipped a beat at the sound of his full name. Carter had only ever called him that when…. Teddy blushed fiercely, and Carter’s expression lit with recognition, his smile turning into a roguish grin.
    “Not really, unless you count my Netflix queue and the unhealthy obsession I have with J.J. Abrams shows, but, uh….” Teddy trailed off when his gaze caught on something in one of the clear bins to the right. He smiled to himself, his thoughts turning to his goal of reconnecting Carter with his roots. “Actually,” Teddy said, moving to unlatch the box, “I thought you might find this familiar.”
    Teddy turned around, catching a warm look in Carter’s eyes that took him by surprise. Carter cleared his throat and smoothed his expression, but his eyes went wide when he caught sight of what Teddy had in his hands. A small smile—genuine and surprised—spread across his face.
    Carter reached for the fluffy orange wig and took it from Teddy. “I haven’t seen this in ages.”
    With a laugh, Teddy said ruefully, “It might’ve been there that long. Sorry, it smells pretty musty.”
    “It’s not that bad,” Carter murmured, turning the wig over in his hands. “I used to have a lot of fun here.” There was a wistful note in his voice, and Teddy was dying to hear his story.
    When Carter didn’t expand on that thought, though, Teddy reached for the wig. “I don’t think it’ll fit you anymore, but….” Teddy lifted his hands and moved to place it on Carter’s head.
    Carter dodged the movement with a rusty laugh, his eyes sparkling. “Maybe not me, but a munchkin like you,” he said with a grin and grabbed it out of Teddy’s hands.
    “Hey!” Smacking Carter’s chest in mock affront, Teddy ducked out of the way, only to find himself in the circle of Carter’s arms. Teddy bit his lip when Carter stilled, looking down at him.
    Carter stepped closer, a lingering smile on his face, and lifted his hand,