Read Backstage (The Barter System Book 4) for Free Online Page B

week just like you.  I still take care of the house, the kids, and the chores.  I don’t get to sit here watching television.” 
    There was a slow nod of his head and he went back to watching the game.  Walking toward the bedroom, she started to unbutton her housedress. 
    “I will not settle, not one more day.  I’d rather be alone than exist as a tourist in my own life.”  Without missing a beat, he asked her retreating back when dinner would be ready.  “Order take-out.”
    The door slammed.  Less than a minute later, she emerged with her hair up, wearing a sexy red dress and killer heels.  After a comical double take, the husband adjusted his groin. 
    “No, darling.  You have a date with the television.  I don’t need a man to pay my bills, fix my sink, or make me feel complete.  The only use I’ve found for them is to take me dancing and once in a while provide a fleeting orgasm.”
    “Baby, I love you…”
    “You love yourself more than you will ever love me and I’m done pretending that’s okay.  I’ll figure out the house and kids but you and me…we’re done.  I’m not settling one more day.  Not one.” 
    He tried to respond but she hit him with a few more verbal digs and the audience laughed loudly. 
    “I might not be perfect but I’m not wasting my time trying to make something out of nothing.  Later.”
    Opening her front door, she danced into the street where the deliveryman took her in his arms for a hot salsa.  “Where you been all my life, pretty girl?”
    “Settling.”  The stage lights lowered as she added, “You’ll do…for a little while.  Don’t get attached…because this isn’t going to be a love story.  I have shit to do.”
    The matchmaker tapped across the stage in their wake as the curtain dropped in place. 
    Cheers and applause grew in volume as Ezra brought the lights back up and the curtain rose.  The cast assembled along the front of the stage and took a coordinated bow.  The cheers and catcalling were unreal.  The brothers witnessed success in the making. 
    Ezra grinned, his pride in the final result obvious.  “They fucking did it.  We’re going to be sold out for every show.  They just made themselves famous…and us a fucking fortune.” 
    After a standing ovation, Mikayla lead Madeline backstage to remove the gypsy dress, made to increase her breasts to a comical size and spread out her hips and waist.  She also removed the latex makeup and wig that aged her several decades. 
    They reappeared with Madeline barefoot, wearing a flesh-toned bodysuit, her natural hair in a snug chignon at the base of her neck.  The sisters shared a hard hug and the moment the audience realized they were twins, the crowd reaction turned thunderous. 
    When she accepted a microphone from one of the stagehands, the theater slowly quieted.  Madeline took a moment to speak about the charity the performance benefitted and asked patrons to give as much as they could. 
    Her southern accent charmed them. 
    “Thank you for being our first live audience for Not That Desperate – I hope you enjoyed the show.  Special thanks must be given to the incomparable Zelder brothers who made every step of this journey possible with their kindness and expertise.  We’ll see you at the party!”
    The Johannson sisters left the stage with a wave, the rest of the cast following behind them. 
    “Have we ever been publicly thanked?” Ezra asked quietly, obviously as floored as Isaiah who shook his head.  “I didn’t think so.  Let’s get down there.”
    After giving specific instructions to their teams, the Zelder brothers headed backstage. 
    He wouldn’t approach her but Isaiah had every intention of seeing Mikayla’s initial reaction to her first live performance.  She’d nailed it and she deserved to feel exceptional. 
    He wanted a quick peek and then he’d head home.
     

Chapter Five
     
    The moment they cleared the stage, Madeline pulled Mikayla