Serena and I fell into a pattern. Rehearsals during the week, texting every day, dates on the weekends, followed by more sex. It was like a relationship, but we didn't call it that. No labels. Just having fun.
I counted the weeks by how long I'd known Serena. Our first weekend, we'd had dinner at Bruno's. It wasn't a date, it was a get-to-know-your-costar dinner. But the following weekends I did count as dates. Date #1 was the dinner and drinks at the steakhouse, where all the locals stared at the new hot girl in town. Date #2 was dinner at my house, followed by the pie Serena had baked, followed by a night of great sex.
After that weekend, I bought condoms when I was at the grocery store, so I wouldn't be caught without them again. I was hoping to hide them among my normal purchases, but it wasn't meant to be. My cashier was Jen, a family friend I knew had just graduated from high school. I looked for her on most of my grocery visits, if just to say hi. She saw the box and her eyes got wide. By now, most of the town knew I had been seeing Serena, and Jen was no exception. Working at the store, she was certainly plugged in to the rumor mill. I put my finger to my lips, implying I would appreciate her not spreading this particular rumor around town. She nodded and bagged the condom box under my fabric softener. "I'll owe you one," I whispered as I left the store.
Last weekend, for date #3, I went to her house instead - the house she was renting from the Blumhouses, while they were in Florida. I had brought take-out food, and she had fresh-baked cookies waiting for me, before we made use of the bedroom. I came inside her that night, and again in the morning, using the condoms.
--
I had a video call with Eric that Sunday evening. I didn't have to tell him about Serena, he realized it just looking at me. "You slut," he called me.
"Hey now," I said, slightly offended. "I haven't been with anyone since, you-know-who. That hardly qualifies me to be shamed for having sex."
He wasn't satisfied. "I told you not to do that. I told you."
"Serena and I are having fun."
"Serena's going to leave, remember?" he scolded me. "And you're going to miss her."
"Okay, true. Even without the sex, I enjoy spending time with her, so yes, I'll miss her."
"You're going to miss her because you love her."
I didn't want to admit it, but he was right. "I don't love her," I lied.
"Yes you do and you know it. Just, don't let her break your heart," he said.
"Okay. Your advice is well noted. Change topics."
"Fine," he muttered. "How's your folks?"
--
That week of rehearsals, we were fitted for our costumes. I don't like to boast, but I looked very dapper in the tailcoats they gave me. I had three costumes, one for the first act, two for the second act.
Serena, being the star, had five different costumes. Two dresses for the first act. A nightdress for the beginning of the second act. Then two more dresses. My favorite was the last dress, a tight blue number that matched her eyes and made her breasts almost pop out. I told her that and she laughed. "I just hope that the stage lights don't make that nightdress see-through," she responded.
We continued to practice our lines, our songs, and our dances. The first act was mainly bickering, as Kenneth and Eloise rubbed each other the wrong way at first. Serena was quick with her tongue on those barbs, and I think I did a good job of keeping up. But then our characters realize their compatibility and their love in the second act, and the lines are softer. I also enjoyed our duet, followed by our kiss.
The whole time, Betsy waited in the wings, watching like a hawk for the moment Serena would disappear and she'd take over.
--
That Thursday, Betsy got her chance. Serena was a no-show at rehearsal for the second time. While Betsy took the stage, proud as a peacock, Chuck was visibly nervous. He pulled me aside, asking, "Can you talk to Serena? See what's going on?"
"Sure thing, I can head over after rehearsal..." I said.
He cut me off. "No, now. Go now. I'll make do without you for tonight." When I didn't move immediately, he shooed me away. "Go." Then he clapped his hands at the other actors, shouting, "Okay, let's do Scene 6, with Eloise and her father. Betsy, ready to go?"
I drove to Serena's house. There was an older man sitting by himself on the front steps, around 50 years old. He had black, thinning hair and a paunchy belly. I'd never seen him before.
"Can I help you?" I asked, getting out of the car.
He stood up and walked my way. He offered his hand, "I'm Frank, I'm Serena's..."
"Frank! I told you to go away!" Serena shouted, having suddenly opened the front door.
"Serena, honey, I got you an audition for..."
"I'm not interested right now. Leave me alone."
Frank hung his head, then looked at me. "I'm guessing you're her friend. Maybe you can talk some sense into her. There's a revival of Chicago coming up, and she'd be amazing for the lead, Roxie Hart."
"So you're Frank the manager." I gave an understanding nod. "I'll talk to her. But I think you should probably leave."
Frank looked back at the house. Serena was staring daggers from the front porch. "I'm leaving," he told her, then he gave a smiling nod at me, and got into his car.