3 months later

 

Gale and Oly just kind of fell into a pattern of meeting twice a month and calling once a week. They also had short text conversations here and there. Oly surprisingly didn’t find any of this annoying, but Lyla sure did. Why she was so upset about the two men communicating was puzzling to Oly. Especially when Lyla and Gale got along great in person. Whatever. Girls are weird and when Oly asked why she was upset she would say she was fine. Oly decided not to waste anymore energy on this mystery.

 

The phone rang in the darkness and Oly reached over to the black oak nightstand that Gale had insisted on purchasing for him after visiting his tiny apartment. Oly groaned and felt around before clicking on the silver lamp he’d purchased at a flea market he went to because Gale “thought it would be fun.” Lyla moaned her protest and then rolled away from the light. Oly looked back at her and shook his head. Checking the ID, he saw it was Gale calling, and glancing at the clock he saw it was 4 am.

 

“Go to sleep.”

 

Oly said this by way of greeting. Gale giggled on the other line and then launched into an explanation for why he was awake. Basically, there was a party and he’d just gotten home. Warmth filled Oly’s chest as he adjusted his position in bed to comfortably listen as Gale recounted the events of the night. He was used to the little star eliciting such feelings by now, so he no longer tried to deny the sensations. Usually, he got a warm feeling in his chest around his mother, Tanan, and baby animals, especially puppies. Oly figured this was a feeling reserved for family, friends, and puppies, and Oly felt comfortable placing Gale in any of those categories. Well, not puppy. Puppies are cute so maybe the category should be called cute things? Gale was certainly cute.

 

“But that’s not what I really wanted to tell you. I just found out that you and I are going to the same audition tomorrow.”

 

“What? You’re auditioning for The FunTime Boys Game Show, too? Wait, they are making you audition?”

 

The FunTime Boys Game Show was a new show airing on a popular kid’s network which featured the host trying things like surfing, obstacle courses, and pie eating contests. The network was trying to target tween boys by casting cool, older teen types the boys might look up to.

 

Oly thought the name of the show was stupid, but kids liked things that sounded stupid to adults. Besides, Oly knew this network tended to cast actors they were already working with for bigger projects. Also, the parent company produced a lot of action films and dramas for adults as well. This could be an in for him.

 

“You never stop auditioning, Oly. Sometimes you don’t even know it’s an audition. Sometimes you just think it’s a casual conversation at a friend’s party and then they ask you to come screen test with a couple of other candidates.”

 

“So, you’ve basically got the part. Should Tanan and I even show up?”

 

Oly couldn’t help the twinge of jealousy in his voice. He didn’t like it, because he wanted Gale to continue to do well, he just didn’t want him to steal his shot. Oly was well aware that he was being dumb.  He was even more so aware of it when Gale, as usual, heard the underlying hostility in Oly’s voice and responded with a gentle cooing tone.

 

“Not necessarily, Oly. I’ve had parts that were written for me that I didn’t get because the director or writer found someone they liked better in the role. No role is guaranteed to anyone. Besides, they are looking for more than one person. Preferably a duo, I think. Maybe you and your friend Tanan will get chosen. You never know.”

 

Oly felt comforted by Gale’s words and tone, but he also felt crappy for saying what he said. Should he apologize? Gale didn’t give him a chance to.

 

“Anyway, I’m excited to be able to audition with you. I thought we wouldn’t be able to see each other until next week because of our schedules. Maybe I’ll get to meet your friend Tanan? Maybe we can go to lunch afterwards?”

 

The little pleading tone in Gale’s voice had Oly sinking back into his pillow with a soft smile on his face.

 

“Yeah. That sounds nice. I’ll pick you up at 10:30. Now get some sleep.”

 

“Bye bye, Oly.”

 

“Bye, Gale”

 

Oly hung up the phone and placed it on the nightstand. He turned off the lamp and rolled over, coming face to face with a wide-awake Lyla. Her expression said she was thinking deeply about something.

 

“What?”

 

Oly internally winced at the defensiveness in his tone. Lyla stared for a moment more and then closed her eyes.

 

“Nothing.”

 

Was she sad? How was Oly supposed to know if she didn’t tell him?