Free Acting Up by Kristin Wallace Page B

hesitation.
    â€œThen she’s staying the lead.”
    â€œSo you’re going to back me up?” she asked, clearly shocked he would.
    She must also assume he was a pushover. He didn’t know what kind of characters she’d dealt with in Hollywood, but where he came from, people stood up for what they believed. He clenched his jaw and drew his shoulders back. “Of course I am.”
    Those blue eyes widened, and then he heard something extraordinary. A little hitch in her breath signaling… what? Was it possible she felt the same pull of attraction? Could he even afford to wonder?
    No… absolutely not.
    â€œWe should go inside,” he said, gesturing for her to precede him into the school.
    His words seemed to snap them both to attention. “All right. Are we getting to the part about why I’m here?”
    He rounded a corner. “Lisa’s mother and father have organized a parent protest. They want you out.”
    â€œI thought everyone was thrilled to have me as the director.”
    â€œSome are. The ones who showed up today have decided you’re not a good influence on their kids. Their argument boils down to a general antipathy toward Hollywood, the entertainment industry, and low morals.”
    Ethan could almost hear her eyes roll back in her head. “Good grief. What do they think I’m going to do? Pass out illegal substances during rehearsals?”
    He whirled around to face her. “Don’t ever say that out loud again.”
    Addison held up two hands in surrender. “I was only joking.”
    â€œI know, but this isn’t Hollywood. Jokes like that can be taken the wrong way around here.”
    â€œOkay. Warning heard and understood.”
    He turned one more corner and stopped at a pair of doors.
    â€œWhere are we?” she asked.
    â€œThe chorus room. The parents wouldn’t fit in my office.”
    â€œI thought you said there were only a few parents.”
    â€œI may have underestimated for your sake,” he said, reaching for the door handle.
    â€œWait.” She put her hand over his. “Ethan, I don’t want to cause trouble for you. I can tell everyone I’ve decided to back out. I’ll just say I can find better uses for my time than babysitting a bunch of school kids.”
    In other words, she’d fall on the sword. The unexpected and surprisingly sweet gesture reached inside him and took hold. It had been a long time since he’d had anyone try to protect him. He’d been operating in solo-mode for so long he’d almost forgotten what it felt like to know someone else had his back.
    â€œYou’d play the bad guy?” he asked.
    â€œApparently you never watched my show,” she said, a wry grin touching her lips. “It’s what I’m good at.”
    No, he was beginning to suspect the bad girl image might be an act. His eyes searched hers. “Do you still want to direct the play?”
    â€œYes.” The answer seemed to surprise even her.
    He allowed a small smile. “Then you will.”
    â€œAre you sure?” she asked, still offering him an out.
    â€œYes. And for the record, I don’t kowtow to bullies, troublemakers, or overbearing parents.” He turned to open the door. “Let me go in first.”
    â€œSo you can take the first fire?”
    â€œIf necessary.”
    The room was buzzing like a thousand angry bees, and as Ethan strode in, the clamoring grew louder. People started shouting.
    â€œWell, it’s about time!”
    â€œAre you going to do something?”
    â€œWhat’s going on?”
    The chatter ceased in an instant when they spotted Addison. All eyes went to her, and, to her credit, she didn’t so much as flinch.
    Ethan held up his hand. “Ladies and gentlemen. I asked Ms. Covington to come down here because I wanted you to meet her. So you would see she’s no threat to anyone. I understand your anxiety. I