The Rivals - Dylan Allen Page 0,452

I found myself, for the first time in my entire life, with butterflies in my stomach.

He was an actor, been working in off West End production for twenty years while waiting for his big break. Working events was just one of the things he did to pay the bills.

He didn’t have any clue who I was, beyond that he’d known I was Jamaican as soon as he saw me. He was born and raised in London, but his parents had come over on The Windrush and settled in a community of Jamaicans in Brixton. He joked that he was trained to spot his kin from fifty paces.

It was nice to be with a man who shares my culture, knew my body, and didn’t know any of my baggage,

I missed my flight the next day, and the next one, too. And it was only when Tyson threatened to come look for me, that I burst my bubble and told him I had to go. I gave him my business card, told him to Google me and if he still wanted to see me, to call.

I didn’t expect to hear from him again.

And for a week after I left, I didn’t.

My longing for him was uncomfortable. But the pangs of nostalgia for companionship that I hadn’t realized I wanted, terrified me.

But he finally called. And two weeks later, I was back in London. We spent the weekend in bed, cooking, and having what he called drink ups with his motley crew of friends. But the highlight of my weekend was getting to watch him perform on stage.

He was born to be an entertainer. Not only wis he an incredible actor, he has an amazing singing voice. I knew it was just a matter of time before the right person saw him. I tried to convince him to let me make some introductions, but Max’s pride runs as deep as his talent.

It would turn out though, that he didn't need my help after all. Two months later, he caught the eye of an agent who saw the play and his star has taken off.

Three months ago, he was cast as Aaron Burr in Drury Lane’s production of Hamilton. And two weeks ago, he signed a contract to be the face of Oswald Boateng's Spring/ Summer line.

Thus far, he’s been understanding about my need for privacy. Lucas Wilde maybe be back from the dead, and that expose Remi's wife wrote made sure the whole world knew it - but I'm still Tina Wilde and my private life has remained that way. I don’t know how to be open about things like this. But for him, I’m willing to try.

I breach the heavy silence tentatively at first. “My love…”

His head snaps in my direction and his eyes are blazing with hurt. “Are you embarrassed because I’m an actor?”

I put a hand on his arm and shake my head, vigorously. “No, I'm so proud of you—”

"Is it my age?” he snaps, impatiently.

I lean away in dismay. “No, of course not and you know it.”

“Then what is it? Because yesterday, you agreed to move across an ocean to live with me. And now you’re telling me that your family doesn’t even know I exist.”

"I-- I don't know why. At first, it was just that I wasn't sure where things were going. And then, when I was, I didn't know how to explain…to them.”

“They’re your children, what do you need to explain?”

I straighten my posture and defend my corner. “For better or worse, I’ve been the only predictable part their lives. Even when I didn’t behave as they wished, they always knew what to expect. I'm their mother, they need me.”

He grips the steering wheel with both hands and sighs. “Really?”

“Yes, Tyson—”

“Is an adult. What do you need?” he demands impatiently.

“You,” I answer without hesitation.

His posture relaxes and he nods. “Then, that’s all you have to tell them.”

“You make everything sound so easy.”

“While you seem to relish making them sound difficult.” The haunting echo of my mother calling me difficult gives his rejoinder a barb I know he didn’t intend, but that stings nonetheless

“I have responsibilities you can’t imagine, so don’t you lecture me,” I snap.

“I’m not one of your gullible children, Tina.” He leans back, props his elbow against the window watches me with a far too laid-back expression on his face.

“What does that mean?” I gasp in affront.

“It means I see you. Not just what you show me. And if you’re gonna talk shit, I’m going