Theo

I can be bossy

 

“Well, I guess I’ll see you guys on Monday,” Marlon says, a slight slur in his speech as we all exit the bar.

We’d spent the evening laughing, chatting and enjoying conversation about our favorite movies, plays and action heroes. Marlon is a kick in the pants and has a wicked sense of humor.

I hadn’t meant to break up their date when I joined them tonight. Well, I didn’t have an plan in mind when I heard them talking about grabbing a drink together, but my objective wasn’t necessarily to thwart any romantic interlude.

Lie.

Okay. Just because I haven’t been man enough to make my move on Joey doesn’t mean I’m willing to let any other John, Dick or Marlon make theirs.

Plus, I get the sense that Joey isn’t into Marlon as much as he is into her. And believe me, that dude has a hard on for her. It’s evident in the way he sings her praises, tries to touch her at every pass and lingers outside as we say our goodbyes.

It’s miserably hot outside and it’s well past ten p.m. Luckily, I have an airconditioned apartment to go back to. Thank you, Patrick.

Joey slides her purse strap up her shoulder, shifting uncomfortably on her feet as we huddle outside the bar door. People enter and exit around us and the cold air from inside wafts through, hitting us with a whoosh any time the door opens. I notice Joey shivers each time it does and I want to wrap my arms around her.

“Have a good night, Marlon. Enjoy your weekend and try not to worry about Monday’s announcements,” I try to assure him, hoping to move this along so Joey and I can head back home. And I can…

“You okay to get home, Joey?” Marlon asks.

Joey blinks and looks between me and Marlon and then smiles graciously.

“Yes, thank you, Marlon. You probably didn’t know, but Theo and I live in the same building.”

It must hit Marlon then because he sways and staggers back a bit.

Just to show him who’s the man, I throw an arm around her shoulders, “I’ll take care of her. No worries.”

I hope he hears the intent in my words. As in:

She’s mine, bro.

Marlon doesn’t seem to take the bait, and leans in to kiss Joey, who turns her cheek to him as soon as she sees his intent. I have to turn my head to look the other way and bite back my laughter.

Denied.

Unfortunately, Marlon is a little too tipsy to recognize the brush-off.

Joey just smiles. “Good night, Marlon. Get home safe.”

He grins and starts to walk backwards toward the L station where he’ll board to go home.

“I’ll call ya later, Joey.”

She waves and I take her elbow in the palm of my hand and guide her the opposite direction. She glances down at where I have ahold of her as if she feels it too.

That connection. The sizzle. The spark.

“Shall we?” I ask, leading her down the street.

We walk in silence a few paces until she stops and looks up at me.

“This is weird.”

I do a double-take, confusion over what she means.

“What’s weird?”

She points between us. “I feel uncomfortable that we’re hanging out, because you’re my teacher and you know whether I’m in or out. And honestly, I don’t even know if I want to be in or out.”

If only she knew how much I want to be in her.

I move out of the way to make room for a group coming at us on the sidewalk and follow behind her as she continues walking. But then I stop and pull her toward me with a sharp yank. Her surprised expression and open mouth have my heart racing.

“You’re in, Joey. You and me. I’ll show you everything you need to know to make this play successful. I have every faith in you that you can do it.”

She gasps and sways in my arms, as I steady her with my hands on her biceps. She’s warm, soft and smells of cherry vanilla. I need to taste her.

I lean down, ready to make my move. Ready to kiss her hard for real this time when someone rams into me from behind.

We stumble awkwardly as a drunk bar patron walks by laughing and talking boisterously. His animated gestures and loud voice drags our attention away from what was just about to happen. One of his friends tries to corral him and gives us an apologetic wave.

The moment is ruined and Joey straightens herself, adjusting her shoulder strap again and clears her throat.

“I don’t need special treatment, Theo.”

“Trust me, Joey. It was a unanimous decision. Birdie and Niles both put your name in as Silvia even before I mentioned it. You’ve got the vote all on your own based on your talent, Joey. And I don’t want you worried about special treatment. This isn’t like school where I’m your teacher. You’re not being treated any differently because we’re friends.”

She squinches her face in indecision, trying to assess if I’m telling her the truth her. I want her to believe it. Because it is the truth.

“Plus, I’d tell you if you sucked or not. That’s just the type of friend I really am.”

She punches me playfully in the abs.

“Shut up, jerk,” she lets out a burst of laughter. “I’m already nervous and have no idea how I let you talk me into doing this. What if I crash and burn? What if I ruin your play, Theo? I’d feel awful.”

I watch as her whole body seems to collapse in defeat and insecurity. I know this feeling well. As an actor and writer, my inner dialogue is always nagging at me and making up stories about how bad I’ll fail. How I’m going to fuck it up. And I hate that it’s eating away at Joey’s confidence.

I cup her cheeks and bring my forehead to touch hers. Her big green eyes are the color of grass in the summertime and reflect her uncertainty.

“Don’t you dare think that way, Joey. I won’t let you fail. I promise. Do you trust me?”

Her eyes close, lashes fanning out over her cheeks and she scrunches her nose.

“I suppose so. Do I really have any other choice? You’re so bossy.”

I laugh at this, pinching her cute cheeks and tapping her nose. “That’s my girl. And you have no idea just how bossy I can get.”

With that, she raises her eyelids and brows. I take her hand and we make our way back home.

I reconsider the idea of getting involved with Joey right now. I have a lot riding on the play, on my directorial debut and her success. If I made a move, it would only complicate things between us and possibly put strain on our friendship.

Or worse yet, ruin it.

I can wait a few more weeks.

It shouldn’t be hard.

Right?