Page 43 of I Don't Need Your Love

“You’ll thank me for that one day.”

“Want to bet on that?”

“Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Simmons,” Ryder says.

“Ryder!” Mom yanks him into her arms and hugs him tightly, kissing the side of his face. “You were phenomenal, too. I didn’t know you could dance.”

“Thanks. It’s something I did in my free time.”

Dad hugs him, too. “And it’s great to see you and Carly getting along for a change. Maybe you guys can even be friends.”

In the past, I might have snorted. Ryder and me friends? On what planet? But…why does the idea not seem so revolting? I mean, I still don’t trust the guy, but my dislike for him has definitely fallen a few notches over the past few days.

When I look at Ryder, he’s busy telling Mom how much he’s enjoying himself at this school. He’s always been close to my parents, so it’s no surprise that my mom wants to know if he’s doing okay here. Ryder doesn’t look at me once, so I have no idea what he thinks about Dad’s comment.

Addie is hugging her grandfather, who keeps telling her over and over how proud he is of her. The two of them seem to be growing closer with every day that passes, and I know it means a lot to the both of them. They’re all each other has now and want to make up for all the years they missed out on each other.

Raven and Sophie rush to hug Addie and me, too, telling us a million times that we were such kickbutts and that they can’t wait to see us perform at the competition.

“You make me want to join the dance team and I hate to dance!” Sophie says.

“You’re not allowed to use ‘dance’ and ‘hate’ in the same sentence,” I tell her.

“You’re getting better every day,” Raven says. “Soon, you’ll be the best choreographer in the world.”

“The universe,” Sophie corrects.

“And whatever is beyond the universe,” Addie adds.

“Thanks, guys.” I grab them all and squeeze the heck out of them.

I notice Naya standing on the side, hugging herself. I walk over. “Did your parents not show up?”

She shakes her head with a disappointed frown. “My mom had a very important business meeting she couldn’t miss.”

“And your dad?”

“Not in the picture.”

I wrap my arm around her. “Maybe she’ll come for the competition?”

She shrugs. “Doubt it.”

“Well, the team will be here for you,” I promise with a smile. “I know that can’t make up for your mom, but we’ll support you in everything you do. I hope we’ll all be like a second family to you.”

A small smile tickles her lips. “I’d like that.”

I hug her one more time before taking her hand and bringing her to the rest of the team. We gush about the performance and the upcoming competition, and it’s not long before the dejected look leaves Naya’s face.

Most of the dancers are from super rich families who never looked at me once before I put the team together. But nowwe’re united by something much bigger than our backgrounds or birthright. Our love for dance. I’ve always believed that dance can bring people together.

I now know more than ever that this is what I’m meant to do with my life.

Chapter Sixteen

Ryder

Mr. and Mrs. Simmons take turns giving me hugs after the football game, telling me how great I was tonight at the dance performance. I can’t hide the smile on my face. I’m proud of myself and the team. We totally killed it out there. I’m thankful I’ve got people supporting me. But at the back of my mind, all I can think about is my parents. And it’s silly because I’ve been in this world for sixteen years and it’s always been one disappointment after another. Why does the little kid in me think they’ll one day appear on the bleachers, cheering and clapping along with the others as the dance team does its thing?