Page 5 of Beyond the Darkness
That smile again, then Luke broke eye contact, seemingly shy.It was quite endearing.“You could say that.Actually, I’ll be there tomorrow.That’s why I wanted to say hello when I spotted you.It seemed rude not to.”
For a second, Hudson wondered if he was so hypnotised by this hot man that he’d misheard what he’d said.And damn, he smells great too.“Oh, we don’t actually open for a couple more weeks.The first preview is early next month, I think.”
“I’ll be there for that too, but I’ll be there tomorrow for the rehearsals.”The blank expression on Hudson’s face seemed to confuse him too.He continued.“Luke Kamal, fromThe Blyham Chronicle.I’m the arts and culture editor.Well, editor is putting it grandly, but I cover all the major arts, music and theatre events for the paper.We’re going to run a major feature onDarkest Blueover the next few weeks—that’s why I’m sitting in on rehearsals for a few days.”
Again, Luke’s words were not computing with Hudson.“Wait, you’re a journalist…?You’re going to watch us put the show together?”
The smile wavered then disappeared.“It’s been arranged for weeks.I thought you knew.”
Hudson withdrew into himself, trying to make sense of what he’d heard.What the actual fuck?How the hell were they supposed to dig deep into themselves, to make themselves vulnerable in search of the characters and stories, with a reporter watching and taking note of every fuck-up, every misstep?
“That can’t be right,” he managed.“You’ve got it wrong.”
Luke fumbled in his trousers, pulled out a leather wallet and produced his press card.“It’s all legit.I’m due there at ten tomorrow and then in and out all the way to opening night.”
“Not if I have anything to do with it,” Hudson muttered.
“I’m sorry.I thought they would have told you.Hasn’t it been cleared with the cast?”
“No, it fucking well hasn’t.”Hudson’s lust for Luke was on the verge of turning into anger.Not just at him but at Rav and Andie and this whole damn shit-show of a production.“This is outrageous,” he said through gritted teeth.
Luke’s brow shot up in alarm.“Look, Hudson, Mr Rhodes.I don’t think I’ve explained myself very well.This isn’t some undercover exposé.I’m not coming to write a hatchet piece on the play.I wantDarkest Blueto succeed.We all do.That’s why I’ll be there.To give the show some great publicity and get the word out.This is a big deal for Blyham.To have a major new production try out here with an international star, ahead of a sure-fire West End transfer.It’s massive for our region.We only want the best.”
The calming words and soft tone had zero effect on Hudson.“That all sounds peachy, and you flatter me, Mr Kamal.”Sarcasm dripped from every word.“But you’re a journalist and I’ve heard this kind of smooth bullshit a million times before.And guess what, it never turned out well.I’m not about to get a poisoned pen stuck in my ribs again.”
“I can assure you—”
“Save it,” Hudson snapped.“I’m not interested.I don’t know what that asshole Rav has promised you, but if I have anything to do with it, it won’t be happening.You can write all you want after opening night, but you won’t be sitting in on any of my rehearsals.”
Luke straightened, holding out his chest, his jaw set firm.“It’s already been agreed.I’ll be there tomorrow whether you like it or not.For the sake of everyone—for the sake of the show—it would be much easier if we could all see eye to eye on this.”
Hudson turned and hurried away without another word, his anger intensifying with each incensed step.First the fucking hate mail, now this good-looking bastard journo.
He had a growing feeling that this play was cursed from the start.
Chapter Three
A History of Stalking
After a restless night in which he failed to get any benefit from going to bed early, Hudson was in no better mood about the current situation.He got up at six and went for a workout in a nearby gym.Sweating it out with weights and thirty minutes running full-out on the treadmill didn’t help much either.He showered and dressed and, after struggling to eat breakfast, he fired off a text to Rav and Andie telling them he wanted to see them at the studio early, before anyone else arrived.
“Most of all the fucking reporter,” he muttered to himself.
As he’d tossed about during the night, he’d replayed the conversation with Luke Kamal over and over.Hudson wasn’t proud of the way he’d handled it, losing his temper and storming off in a rage, but he’d been ill equipped to deal with it any other way at the time.The news had floored him.It wasn’t Luke’s fault they were in that situation.He probably thought he was doing Hudson a favour by speaking to him first.
Luke was just doing his job.Ha.How many shitty journalists had said that to him over the years?They were only ever doing their jobs, regardless of who they hurt, burned or stomped into the dust in the process.Hudson’s knuckles were white as he gripped his coffee cup.
Eventually, he gave up on breakfast, loaded the dishwasher and left the apartment.
It was another glorious morning, but he was in no mood to appreciate it as he walked down to the waterfront and over the bridge.Even the tranquil beauty of the river failed to calm him.
“This is even earlier than yesterday,” Jax said when he arrived.“You do know there’ll be no one to let you in if you get here before eight, right?”
“I don’t plan to make a habit of it.”His smile and tone of voice were forced.Hardly one of his better performances.“Any mail today?”
Jax ducked to look beneath the counter.He silently prayed that she would come up empty-handed.
“You must have quite a fanbase,” she said, handing him a bundle.“There’s even more than yesterday.Those posters of you all over town must be doing the trick.”
