Free Prince of the Playhouse by Tara Lain

nose.
    “What would your fans think if they knew you’re too stressed to keep an erection over a stupid play?” She laughed.
    Was that a threat? “Yeah, sorry. I never should have signed up for this, but since I did, I know you want me to do it right.”
    “I suppose.” She patted his chest. “Go be brilliant. I’ll see you soon.”
    He walked out of the hotel room, strode his way down the hall, and barely breathed until he exited the lobby. He dragged fresh air into his lungs, then released his inhale in a long stream. Sunshine—and no Penelope.
    Chris stood outside the limo across the parking lot. He made a sweeping gesture with his arm to a POS beige sedan parked next to him. Gray laughed. His disguise vehicle. He pulled up the hood on his sweatshirt and trotted to Chris. As he accepted the keys to the sedan, his cell rang. He glanced—and smiled. “Hi, Mom.”
    “Hello, darling. How’s my big star?”
    “Struggling to be Hamlet.” He laughed.
    “What? It’s not like you to struggle with a role, is it?” His mom had never read Shakespeare. Hamlet might as well be Mickey Mouse to her.
    “It’s just really challenging.”
    “Well, I’m sure you’ll be great. Your dad and I can’t wait to see you.”
    “Likewise. We’ll stay a few days in Laguna Beach while I finish up the play and then head for LA so you can watch the shooting on the next movie, okay?”
    “We just want to be where you are, dear. And we can’t wait to meet Penelope. I keep reading about her in the papers, and she sounds like such a lovely young woman.”
    He swallowed hard. Should he say something? What? “I’m sure she’s looking forward to it.”
    “It won’t be long now. I’m buying some new outfits for the occasion.”
    “Good. You don’t treat yourself enough. In fact, we have this great designer doing costumes for the show. I’ll get him to create a dress for you.”
    “Silly. Don’t waste your money.”
    “Hey, who would I rather spend it on?”
    “Love you, dear.”
    “You too. Hug Dad for me. See you in a few weeks.” He clicked off.
    Chris smiled. “Your mother excited about their trip?”
    “Yes. Now I’ve got to figure out a way not to stink in this play.” He shook his head. “Not that my folks will know one way or another.”
    “Seriously, you’re not going to stink.”
    He shook his head. “You didn’t see me. Man, new records in crappy.”
    “Even if that’s true, you learn fast. You’ll have old Will S. whipped into shape in no time.”
    “That may not be a good thing.” He grinned. “But thanks for believing in me.”
    “I do. Sometimes more than you do, I think.” He gave Gray’s shoulder a mock punch. “Now, try out your elegant new vehicle, and text me if the damned thing breaks down between here and Maitland’s.”
    “Will do.” He hopped in the car and started it up, then waved at Chris as he ferried the thing out of the Vistage parking lot. What the hell was he going to do about Penelope meeting his folks? She was already way beyond possessive. Introducing her to Mom and Pop as the little woman would totally screw the pooch. But they wanted to meet his girlfriend. Shit. Why did a simple visit from his parents have to be so complicated? He wanted to just look forward to seeing them, not worry about—everything. My own damned fault. He turned right off Pacific Coast Highway. At least now he got to spend an evening with Ru. That made him smile.
     
     
    RU STARED out the window of the cottage and watched the hooded figure hurry up the path from a nondescript beige sedan. He’d have laughed out loud if he didn’t want to throw up. An hour at the police department and the prospect of spending an evening trying not to attack Gray added up to more than his stomach could take.
    Suddenly two furry missiles ran across the grass and started leaping on Gray. Gray backed up, hands defensively spread in front of him, and glanced at the sky.
    Ru rushed to the door. “Flopsy, Mopsy,