Hell, Look at Me

Chapter 2-1

Chapter 2

Charlie woke late the next morning feeling sore, but that was often the case when he and Ricky spent a night together. This time, however, he also felt regret that he’d allowed himself to be drawn into another round of meaningless s*x with the man.

“If only he saw me as something other than his…toy,” Charlie said fretfully as he stepped into the shower. “If only I had the strength to walk away.” He scowled at his arm. “And then what? Try to find someone who could deal with this? Lots of luck. Been there, done that. Look what it got me. Him. The man I dream about, just like he said when he left last night.”

Okay, get over the pity party! If I want him out of my life then next time he calls tell him ‘no.’ Easy as that. I’m an adult. It’s time to start acting like one.

He finished showering, dressed for the day in worn jeans, his favorite old shirt, and sneakers. After a hurried breakfast he headed to the theatre. Just because one show had opened didn’t mean he could slack off. He had designs to work on for the next one.

“You’re here early,” Jace said when Charlie walked into the scene shop.

“Early would be nine. It’s close to noon,” Charlie retorted with a smile. “And why are you here?”

“There was a problem with one of the wheels on the stage right wagon. The stage manager said he heard it squeaking during the final move at the end of act two last night. For damned sure by tonight it’ll be worse if I don’t do something about it.”

“Need some help?”

“You bet. You and Pat can hold up one side of the wagon enough so I can get underneath to see if the wheel needs oil or to be replaced.”

“Did I hear someone take my name in vain?” Pat asked as he came into view. “Hey, CC, you’re here early.”

“Nine would be early,” Charlie and Jace said at the same time, laughing a second later.

The three men moved the set pieces off the wagon and then after putting chocks in front of the two downstage wheels to keep the wagon from rolling, Pat and Charlie got the rear end high enough off the floor for Jace to slide under and look at the wheel. He slid out again, telling them the wheel needed replacing and went to get a new one and the tools he’d need to do the job. Rather than continuing to hold the wagon off the floor, they got some spare bits of lumber and jacked it up. Ten minutes later the wheel was changed out and checked and the wagon was back down where it belonged, the set pieces in place again.

“Now don’t you wish you’d waited until afternoon to show your face?” Jace asked Charlie with a grin.

“Nope, because now you owe me. I could use your input on one of the designs I’m working on for the next show.”

“You got it.”