Page 135 of The Alternate Captain

Page List

Font Size:

“Wow. Okay,” I say.

“But you know, Johnny—I expected you to tell me I was going to be a grandfather. I mean, after everything I’ve done for you and your sister—”

My heart hammers hard in my chest. And here comes the feeling. It creeps all the way through my body, warming my muscles.

“Excuse me?”

“I had to learn from Sarah—how do you think that made me feel?”

Kelly drops to her knees and scoots towards me, rubbing her hands on my thighs as I grit my teeth.

“Thanks for trusting her over me, I guess.”

“A man wouldn’t disown his child,” he says.

But I don’t think I want to hear anymore. That response was all I needed. I hang up and toss my phone past Kelly and onto the bed.

“Johnny?” she says, her voice soft, and I pull her onto me, needing the comfort she offers.

“That was the most bizarre conversation I’veever had,” I say. “I mean—fuck.”

She runs her hands through my hair as I hug her to my chest, and the rage that was building momentum through my body edges away slightly.

“Let’s go for a walk, Johnny. Let’s get dressed and go for a walk. Get some fresh air and maybe grab something to eat. Yeah?”

That is exactly what I need. And when I look right into her eyes and lean in to kiss her, I don’t think I can ever be without this girl.

When closing night rollsaround, Patrick pulls me to one side before we head out onto the stage. I half expect him to ask a load of questions, just like Darren did, about the ‘good luck’ basket of muffins I received half an hour ago, but he doesn’t. He looks me right in the eye and takes a dramatic intake of breath, like he’s planning to blow out a candle.

“Kelly, the casting directors are here tonight. And I think they’ve been to one of the previous shows. Just wanted to give you an advanced warning.”

He walks away as if he’s just delivered bad news but doesn’t want the repercussions. But I stand here, agog, while I process the information.

God, I wish Johnny was still here. He’d know what to do. He’d stop me from freaking out.

After the close call with Darren and his massive nose, he stayed with me for a few days but kept to the hotel room—besides the walk we took, and from what I gathered, it actually did him the world of good to checkout from the usual demands on his time.

Considering we spent a lot of time in the hotel room, it meant we had a lot of time together, and Johnny made it his mission to level up his dirty talk.

But right now—I’m regretting letting him leave.

I check the time on my phone and then call him, standing to the side, away from eavesdroppers.

His voice is like music to my ears and after greetings, I ask him how things are back home.

“I feel guilty,” he says. “The guys and I sort of broke into the rink.”

“And you’re feeling guilty about it?” I ask.

“No. Because Bettsy is so fucking nice and he’s such a good friend and I’m pissing all over it,” he says.

“Oh.” Johnny’s breath sounds hard. “What do you want to do? Do you think we should just come clean and tell Mike?” I ask.

“Let me think on it,” Johnny says. “But for now... good luck, babe. I wish I was there to see you.”

“Johnny. They’re here. Tonight.”

“The scouts?”