Read Online Curtain Call by Liz Botts - Free Book Online Page B

bed.
    â€œIt was awful, wasn’t it?” I asked.
    â€œTruly. What was she thinking?”
    I rubbed my eyes. “I have no idea. How often do those commercials run?”
    â€œHoyt Toyota? I don’t know, every few minutes at least,” Josh said, then he started to chuckle.
    Once he started to laugh I did too, and we laughed until I had tears running down my face. As our laughter subsided, we fell into a silence that rang in my ears.
    â€œListen, um…I’m sorry I called. I know you want space, but I was watching TV with the guys and I just couldn’t not call, you know?” Josh sounded lost as his voice broke.
    â€œI’ve missed talking to you,” I admitted. I felt another breath of relief whoosh out of me.
    â€œMaybe I could call more often,” Josh said.
    â€œMaybe,” I agreed.
    Josh sighed. The sound rattled all the way to my heart. “You keep going hot and cold on me, Han. This is killing me.”
    My mind drifted back to the kiss at Twisters. Heat flooded my body. I wasn’t immune to Josh, obviously. But how could I keep myself in check while still holding on to the things that felt important to me?
    â€œI’m so confused,” I admitted.
    â€œTalk to me,” Josh said. I loved when he did this. Sinking back into my pillow, I tried to organize my thoughts.
    â€œLike right now,” I said. “I really want to tell you to come over so you can hold me, kiss me, tell me everything I need to hear.”
    â€œBut?” Josh prompted.
    â€œI just…if you did come over, you’d probably end up spending the night, and I just…don’t want that,” I said.
    â€œI can control myself, Han. I did for several years before we ever started.” Josh said sounding annoyed.
    I blew out a shaky breath. “But can I?”
    â€œI’ll be honest, I don’t really understand all of this. You want to wait but you aren’t sure if you can control yourself around me? Come on.”
    â€œI know. I’m a freak,” I said, misery washing over me. “I just wish we had waited until our wedding night.” When Josh didn’t say anything, I continued, “Apparently that makes me even more of a freak.”
    â€œYou aren’t a freak, sweetheart,” Josh said softly. “I wish…I wish I had known how important that was to you. Maybe I could have been stronger.”
    I laughed despite myself. “I’m pretty sure you are stronger than any other guy on the planet, Josh. You waited nearly five years.”
    â€œI’d wait forever for you.” Josh’s voice held so much emotion that it spread over me like a wave.
    â€œWell, we can’t go back now,” I said with a sigh.
    â€œNo, we can’t,” Josh agreed. “But we can move forward. We can fix this.”
    I yawned and snuggled down in my pillow. “Yeah, but not tonight. I love you, Josh.”
    â€œYou get some sleep,” Josh said and sighed.
    ****
    â€œCan we meet this afternoon?” Max asked, dropping into a seat beside me as I lounged in the theater building lobby.
    â€œSure,” I replied.
    â€œWe really need to get a script together. It has to be approved by March third.” Max handed me a thick spiral bound notebook that he had inscribed with “Script Ideas” in thick block letters.
    â€œHow long do you think it will take to get approved? We need to get auditions going,” I said.
    Max chewed on his lower lip, a worried look flashing across his face. “I know, but there’s nothing we can do about it. Part of the challenge of the senior project is to work within the confines of time.”
    â€œWe can do it,” I said with more confidence than I felt.
    â€œSure we can,” Max replied with his easy grin. A knock at the door drew our attention away from our conversation. Luisa peeked around the doorframe. Max waved her in. She bounded across the room, planted