Page 275 of Blackwood

“How’s she doing?” Knox asks, eyes focused on the DJ booth as he twists a knob and taps his tablet. The bass thumps softly through the arena, testing the levels. The lights above us shift,casting streaks of gold and crimson across the polished wood floor of the gym.

“The nightmare hit around three a.m.,” I say, rubbing the back of my neck. “It was bad. Like, screaming-in-the-shower bad. But it’s the first one in a few days. They’re starting to space out again.”

Knox nods, flipping a switch and watching as one of the overhead lights flicker into place. “How do you think she’s gonna do with all this?”

I glance out at the stands as the doors open. People start trickling in—students, teammates, Legacy alumni, coaches, random fans of the Trifecta. Haley’s already bouncing around, greeting people like it’s her birthday while Ellie’s directing traffic like a damn campaign manager.

“I’m hoping,” I say, voice rough and tired. “The music. The crowd. The noise. Maybe it brings her back, even just a little… especially once she realizes that it’s all for her and her dad. We got a glimpse of the real her last night. She let us hold her in bed. All three of us, just holding on.”

“That’s a start,” Knox says, watching a stagehand haul in a rack of folding chairs. His tone is gentle, but he doesn’t look at me when he says it. Probably doesn’t want to see how fucked I look right now.

“I know it is,” I mutter, jaw tight. “But damn, Knox. This is killing me. I miss her so much. And she’s still right here. Right in front of me and I just can’t fucking reach her.”

The DJ setup clicks as another bassline hums through the air, vibrating the floor beneath our feet.

“I know, man,” Knox says after a beat. “I’m so sorry. I can’t imagine what you and Cade are going through. Or what she’s dealing with. But your family is strong. The strongest out of all of ours. You three will make it through this. I know you will.”

I nod, swallowing hard. “Thanks, Bestie.”

That gets a dry chuckle out of him, even as he flips open a crate of mic packs and starts organizing them. “Oh, I meant to tell you,” he adds. “Since this is basically a party-practice, you’re going to be in charge of her chair stuff today.”

I arch a brow. “Her chair stuff?”

“You know what I mean,” he says. “I’m letting you decide if she does the chair routine or not and who’s in it. I don’t want to push her. If she starts spacing or looks even remotely off, just give me the signal. We’ll cut the bit and let Haley and Ellie finish it out.”

“Thanks, Knox. I appreciate that.” I glance down at the floor, watching a few stage markers being laid out. “That means a lot.”

By now the stands are almost half full. People keep filing in, more than I expected. Rico, Javi, and some of the Legacy freshmen are weaving through the crowd, handing out folded burgundy shirts. Every single one of them is the same.

Dad had the University of Arkansas do a rush order on a custom shirt order for us. All the shirts look like replicas of a Razorback football jersey complete with HARRINGTON and 17 on the back.

It’s a tribute. A quiet, powerful one. Something Bella doesn’t know about yet.

Cade and I take our seats in the front row, right where she’ll see us the second she walks out. I can’t sit still, my leg’s bouncing and my eyes scanning every inch of the gym like I’m waiting for a bomb to drop.

The place is packed now. Legacy’s stretching, their warm-up jackets half-zipped, hair slicked back, and ready to perform. Javi’s pacing, muttering in Spanish. The bleachers are vibrating with the low thrum of conversation and anticipation.

Next to me, Dad leans forward, elbows braced on his knees like he’s gearing up for war. Mom reaches over him and squeezes my arm. She’s been softer lately. Warmer. Like she’s finallyseeing Bella for who she is. I just hate that it took a dead father and a broken girl to get her to act like a fucking mom.

On Cade’s other side sit Cade’s parents, dressed like they’re attending a silent auction instead of a tribute dance. And just one seat down from Clay, sitting with his elbows on his knees and his jaw like stone?

Roman fucking Russo.

Yeah. That Roman. He asked to come. Insisted, really. Said he wanted to see his daughter dance, for Henry. Cade and I told him no. Twice. But he showed up anyway. Said he’d stay in the crowd and stay out of her face.

She’s not ready. And if he tries to push her, I’ll drag him out of this arena by his throat.

The gym gets louder, cheers and whistles echo now as people realize it’s almost time. Knox throws me a look from the DJ booth. Everything’s on standby.

My phone vibrates. I glance down.

BELLA:I need you.

My throat closes. Cade’s already leaning toward me, like he felt the shift in my entire body.

“What?” he asks.

I show him the screen. He doesn’t wait, just stands. I’m already moving. Elbowing through the crowd. Past the line of Legacy girls waiting to go on.