A Role I Never Wanted

Ethan’s POV

I realised I had made a grave error as soon as I set foot on the Silverlight Studios property.

There was still time to change course. To drink away the fact that I was even thinking about this, I could get back in my car and head straight to the closest pub.

Instead, I smirked, squared my shoulders, and pushed open the doors to Studio 3B, where Heart's Requiem's first round of chemistry reads were taking place.

Inside, I could already hear voices.

With a sharp exhale, I entered.

Naturally, Julian Cross was the first person I saw.

As if he owned the place, he was sitting comfortably in a chair and already drinking his damn coffee.

As soon as I entered, his eyes brightened.

And he smiled, just to make me angry.

"Well, well, well. He pondered, "I thought I smelt desperation."

I gave an eye roll. "Cross, stop flattering yourself."

Rebecca Moreau, the casting director, clapped her hands together. She was a perceptive woman. "All right, you two are present. Take a seat.

Reluctantly, I sat across from Julian, maintaining a neutral expression.

Rebecca looked at both of us. "You have read the script, I take it?"

I gave a nod. Julian followed suit.

"All right," she added. Then you realise that this is not your typical romance movie. One of the most ambitious LGBTQ+ love stories in recent memory is this one. The characters are nuanced. Their feelings were unfiltered. You two must demonstrate that you can add genuine depth to the relationship if you hope to be considered for these positions.

I suppressed the urge to laugh. "You do not think we can do anything?"

Julian grinned. "Well, you were given a dramatic role by her, so I can appreciate her worry.

I was about to glare at him when Rebecca cut me off. We are starting with chemistry tests because of your rivalry. It might be magic on screen if the tension between you two translates well into something deeper.

Julian glared at me, raising one eyebrow as if he was already planning how to torment me.

I tightened my jaw. "All right. What are we supposed to do?

A few pages were slid across the table by Rebecca. "One of the most dramatic scenes will be our first. Your characters fight just before they share their first kiss.

My breath caught in my throat.

"What?"

Julian did laugh. Whoa. Their time is not being wasted.

Rebecca did not pay attention to my response. One of the pivotal moments in the movie is this scene. Your characters have been adversaries thus far. They have been acting as though they despise one another for years, but now all of their repressed anger—the tension, the jealousy, the feelings they have not expressed—explodes into something else.

Uncomfortably, I moved.

She went on, "We need real fire." "I have to think that you two are incompatible, but that there is more going on beneath all of that rage."

Julian appeared far too at ease as he stretched. "Hale, do you think we can handle that?"

I smiled at him, but I kept my mouth shut. "Yeah, but I think I would rather be struck by a truck."

Rebecca gave an eye roll. "Stand up. Let us check out what you have.

The First Kiss Scene: Chemistry Read

As soon as we entered character, the atmosphere in the studio changed.

The electricity and the scene's weight pressing in around us were palpable to me.

Julian stepped forward. The heat of rage poured off him as his face darkened and his lips curled in frustration.

His voice was sharp and low as he spat, "You are impossible."

I did not even need to pretend to react. I pushed back, narrowing my eyes. "And you are a conceited, self-centred jerk who believes he is superior to everyone."

He tightened his jaw. "You know absolutely nothing about me."

I gave a sour laugh. "Oh, please. Julian, I know exactly who you are. A pampered little prince who has acted like Hollywood owes him something for his entire career—

Julian quickly reached out and grabbed my wrist.

Something hot and sharp shot through me from the contact.

I would not admit it.

Julian dropped his voice and leaned in. "You believe that I have it easy? Do you really believe that I do not fight for everything that I have earned?

I yelled, "You have never stood up for anything." "You just let the world love you while you stand there."

Julian clenched his fingers. "And what? Do you believe that you are any different? Do you always act as though everything is against you? Like the only person who has had to prove himself is you?

I withdrew my arm. "At least I do not act like someone I am not."

There was no humour in Julian's laughter.

Then he moved before I could respond.

Just one step.

Two.

Then all of a sudden he was there.

Too near.

I could see the fire in his dark eyes and the tension in his shoulders.

I felt the warmth of his breath on my skin.

Then he kissed me before I could stop him.

Not kind. Not very sweet.

Rough. I am frustrated. Exasperatingly flawless.

My entire body tensed up, and I gasped in protest.

I forgot everything for a split second, just a split second.

The screenplay. The studio. The years of competition.

Only pressure, heat, and the aftertaste of coffee lingered on his lips.

Then, just as abruptly, he withdrew.

There was silence between us.

I had a heaving chest.

Julian's eyes could not be read.

Like a knife, Rebecca's voice sliced through the tension.

"All right. That was good, that.

With my heart pounding loudly in my ears, I forced myself to look away from Julian.

I had previously kissed people on screen. dozens of times.

What made this feel different, then?

Julian let out a sharp breath and ran a hand through his hair.

“Well,” he muttered, grinning unevenly. "It was not that bad."

I frowned. "I hope your next award causes you to choke."

Rebecca gave a hand clap. "All right, that is sufficient. We will give you both a call shortly with the final decision.

Before I did something foolish, I pivoted and stalked out of the studio.

For example, consider how amazing that kiss had been.