Waiting in the Wings

WAITING

WINGS

e

bold strokes books

-Boo
k
s

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Visit us at www.boldstrokesbooks.com

by

Melissa Brayden

2011

waiting in the wings

© 2011 B
y
M
elissa
B
rayden
. a
ll
r
ights
r
eserved
.

isBn 13: 978-1-60282-597-0

T
his
E
lEcTronic
B
ook
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s
P
uBlishEd
B
y
B
old
s
TrokEs
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ooks
, i
nc
.

P.o. B
ox
249

V
allEy
F
alls
, ny 12185 F
irsT
E
diTion
: s
EPTEmBEr
2011

This is a Work oF FicTion. namEs, characTErs, PlacEs, and incidEnTs arE ThE ProducT oF ThE auThor’s imaGinaTion or arE usEd FicTiTiously. any rEsEmBlancE To acTual PErsons, liVinG or dEad, BusinEss EsTaBlishmEnTs, EVEnTs, or localEs is EnTirEly coincidEnTal.

This Book, or ParTs ThErEoF, may noT BE rEProducEd in any Form WiThouT PErmission.

C
redits

E
diTor
: c
indy
c
rEsaP

P
roducTion
d
EsiGn
: s
usan
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amundo

c
oVEr
d
EsiGn
B
y
s
hEri
(
GraPhicarTisT
2020@
hoTmail
.
com
)

Acknowledgments

I truly believe that passion is life’s greatest motivation. It makes anything possible. I know that it was passion, and not my literary prowess, that allowed me to write this novel. I’ve been a teller of stories, in many different capacities, for as long as I can remember. However, this is the first time I’ve attempted to create a story of my own. Without the following people, there’s no doubt in my mind I would have crashed and burned. Tremendous thanks to:

Radclyffe and the team at Bold Strokes Books, for giving me this opportunity, risky as it was. You offered me guidance early and it made all the difference. I hope this is just the beginning.

Sheri, for a stunning cover that encapsulates more than you realize.

Cindy Cresap, for teaching me an amazing amount about writing. Working with you was an invaluable experience and your patience, wit, and keen eye for detail saved me. I dream about dialogue tags now and that’s a good thing. Thank you for making me better. You’re amazing at what you do.

Becki, for consistently rooting for me. I always know you’re in my corner.

My parents, for taking me to the Apollo Victoria when I was eight years old. You started it all.

Dedication

For Krissy and Alan, who get me.

C
hapter
O
ne

H

ow soon can you be in New York?” That’s how the call began. I hadn’t bothered to check the caller ID before answering because I was preoccupied with the fifteen thousand things I was trying to accomplish to be out of my apartment and on

my way to the city in the next four days.

“I’m sorry. Who is this?” Not my nicest phone voice, but I was busy.

“It’s Andrew Latham from the Journey Agency. Come on, Jenna, tell me I made a better impression on you than that.” I cringed. In an embarrassing turn of events, it was my new agent I’d just barked at, also known as the guy who held all my cards in his slick little hands. I was immediately nervous and cursing myself for the oversight. Automatically, I stood and stared at myself in the mirror above my dresser. My first observation was that I was a total mess, as I’d been packing for the move most of the day. I straightened the bandana holding back my blond hair I’d let grow long for casting purposes, and reminded myself that Andrew Latham couldn’t see me and to relax and hold it together.

“Sorry, Mr. Latham. I think we had a bad connection at first.

How are you?”

“Excellent! How’s does it finally feel to have that diploma

under your belt?”

I opened my mouth to answer, but Andrew Latham had no intention of slowing down.

“Listen, I have an audition I’d like to submit you for immediately.”

“Oh, wow…I’m, uh…I’m thrilled to hear that. You have no idea.” Yeah, those were the words I heard leave my mouth. Way to play it cool there, Jenna.

I’d met Andrew Latham briefly at my senior showcase. The house had been full of agents and industry people scouting out the newly minted talent, and I’d been handed quite a few cards after my performance. Two days later, the Journey Agency offered to represent me, and of course I’d leapt at the opportunity. It doesn’t get much better when you’re twenty-three with only college and regional acting experience.

I’d just graduated from the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music and with no job lined up, I was off to New York at the end of the week, along with my fellow out-of-work classmates, to wait tables until I found a way into the business. Not the sturdiest game plan, but it’s all I had. “I’d like to hear a little bit more about the part, but any audition is welcome at this point.”

“Perfect!” he bellowed back at me. “I’m going to level with you. This casting notice came out this morning and they’re starting to see girls for the part tomorrow. I thought of you immediately. It’s ensemble work for a touring musical and they need someone yesterday. You fit the breakdown and I’d like to get you in there ASAP. Can you be in New York tomorrow?”

I thought for a moment. Could I? There was a lot I had to accomplish to be out of the apartment, and the plane ticket I’d purchased wasn’t until the end of the week, but surely I needed to make this happen. I had nothing else going for me. “Of course I can,” I said. “What do I need to prepare?”