Page 17

TWO

Remain calm.

Remain collected.

Remain confident.

My chest rose and fell as I lowered the top half of my body, folding myself in half. To the left of me was Romeo, the male lead for the production in play. To the right of me was Aliza, applying pressure to my hand as the curtain closed in front of us.

The second it hit the floor, everyone’s limbs loosened. My feet fell from grace, landing in first position, naturally. At this point of my career, it was as if my body believed it belonged there. Always ready for the next position. Always ready for the next set of instructions.

Cheers roared all around me. I placed a hand on my chest to calm my beating heart. The sound of my sister’s chanting caused me physical pain. Heartache . It was a reminder that even when I wasn’t in her line of vision, she was still rooting for me. Loud. Clear. Proud .

She wasn’t clapping for Royce. She was clapping for Roaman, Roulette, Rugger, Richie, Rhea, Chemistry, Rather, and Range. The full showcase was a special treat that I’d learned about at the very last minute. It was my first day back on stage. Though I was home, I felt like a fish out of water.

The cast was new. The director was someone I’d only heard great things about but never met personally. The set was much different from the last one. And, so much had changed in five years.

“I love you, Rome! You’re a born star, baby.”

Her voice was anchoring. I was grounded in her words, yet lifted by her love. It was profound. Alone in the audience, I couldn’t wait to wrap my arms around her neck and feel her heartbeat against mine.

I wasn’t sure how this moment would feel, but it was everything and nothing at once. I was reeling but I was regretting ever staying away for so long. My heart patted against my chest, trying to break through my skin.

My family would come to the opening night. It was still so far away. The special performance tonight was simply an open rehearsal, extended to family and friends interested in seeing what the cast had been working on. I hadn’t been working with them.

In fact, I’d been working alone in front of a computer screen.

My presence here wasn’t by chance, but it wasn’t planned either.

Tiana’s untimely health decline was my ticket to center stage.

This was her show. Yet, here I was filling such wonderful shoes.

I was beyond capable and production knew it.

Tiana knew it, which was why she made the recommendation before things went south for her.

They tried for a full week to reach me. Once they got a hold of me, I agreed to fill the position out of sheer love and honor for Tiana. She was more than a ballet associate of mine. In some lifetime, she was a friend. Possibly my only friend besides the women I shared blood with.

“Oh, just wonderful. Spectacular. So angelic. So natural,” Aliza breathed out, pulling me into her arms.

Unlike the others in the production, she was welcoming. Supportive. And, extremely helpful since I’d walked in the door.

“So were you.”

I accepted her embrace which was quickly followed by Romeo’s. His hands wrapped around my body and squeezed me tightly.

“You’re a fucking angel on the floor. The way your body defies gravity so elegantly– girl. Where have you been all these years?” He asked, trying to catch his breath.

“Resting,” I admitted.

“And this is how you perform after resting for a year? I’d hate to have seen you before the rest,” he responded, letting me go.

“I was still dancing, but only a little. Nothing in comparison to this–” I exhaled. “Just children learning the art. Small things.”

You’re blabbering . I warned.

The amount of words pouring from my mouth was baffling. The curtains began to lift, again. Friends and family gathered in the pit, waiting for their loved ones. My sister’s face was the only one visible. Everything around us blurred. She nodded toward the side of the stage, signaling her departure.

“Excuse me.” I started toward the back of the stage where I was certain Royce would be waiting.

“Wait–” Aliza called out. “I have to introduce you to my mom.”

She was galloping across the stage already. Her endearment halted me when I wanted nothing more than to get to my sister. Her arms were the only arms I was interested in being between.

Aliza lowered, grabbing the hand of a woman. She waved me over, prompting me to follow her. I fought the urge to leave, because deep down inside there was an urge to comply that was far more overwhelming. It wasn’t unfamiliar.

The feeling.

The urge.

The instinct.

The discernment .

My legs led the way. I descended the four steps, ending up in the pit where Aliza was with her mother. Her smile was enabling. Her posture was convincing. Yet, there was a twinge in my gut that I couldn’t ignore. I hadn’t been able to all day.

Still, I pushed forward with a piqued curiosity and an attempt to welcome new friendships in my life. It was difficult. I didn’t trust anyone but the sisters and brothers my father had given me. Anyone beyond that was beyond my scope.

It’ll be fine . I promised myself.

“Rome– my mother, Aleena. Mom, the amazing butterfly you just witnessed on stage who I am going to beg for the next three months to teach me how to move as if flexibility and agility are my first and last names.”

“Nice to meet you, Rome. You were great.”

With a nod, I accepted her compliment. Her extended hand lured me in. Midway, my fingers fell flat against my leg.

Sorry . I admitted, silently.

I’m not sorry. As quickly as the thought occurred it was corrected.

Slicing into the awkwardness like a piece of red velvet cake, Aliza continued.

“And my father– Neil.”

A courteous nod followed the introduction. My hands lifted slightly. My feet kissed each other at the heels. My body began to bow. As my head fell, my nostrils widened and the hairs on every centimeter of my body stood in the air as if they’d been touched by an inflated balloon.

Difficulty struck as I tried my hardest to lift my body. As if the weight of the entire stage was strapped to my neck, I struggled to regain control of my head. My heart imploded and then exploded in my chest. My mouth filled with its debris.

“Uh mm–”

A single grunt.

No words.

A single grunt.

My confidence.

My calm.

My collection.

They failed at once, suppressed by the familiar feel of him. Smell of him. Sound of him.

The atmosphere shifted to accommodate him. My heart shifted to accept him. The energy shifted to acknowledge him.

“Rome,” she paused, pulling the man from my dreams into her side, “this is my fiancé. Saint De Bacco.”

My heart fell from my chest onto my pointe shoes.

Aliza– that’s my husband. Saint. Saint De Bacco.

“And his sister Nadia.” She tipped her head toward the woman who resembled the man holding her in his hands.

Hands that belonged around me.

My hands.

Everything he possessed belonged to me.From his head to his toes, he was mine. I pitied them both because neither had a clue.

Life is unfair . I admitted, though I wasn’t referring to myself. I was referring to the woman before me with her smile reaching her eyes. Oh Aliza .

His eyes penetrated me, never losing sight of the most important part of the moment. Our encounter. Our first encounter. He was as dreamy as I remembered. As dreamy as he was on the plane the other day with his head between my legs and his hands pressed against my thighs.

Dark sandy hair.

Amber eyes.

Soft brown skin.

Sharp jawline.

Thick, bushy, and envious eyebrows.

Eyelashes that curled perfectly.

Six whole feet and another six to eight inches.

He was a giant.

My giant .

Naturally, my body gravitated to him. Both of his hands were preoccupied, but somehow he was still beckoning for me. Mentally. Emotionally. Spiritually. I submitted, stepping forward and extending my hand to meet his.

He loosened his grip around Aliza, eventually letting her go completely. When he stepped forward, he took my hand into his.

Just as I remembered .

My skin tingled inside out. The magic happening within me was unbelievable. My hairs stiffened to the point of pain. My heart repaired itself and broke once more. It was a never ending cycle.

“Rome,” I told him, “Rome Childers.”

I searched his pretty brown eyes for evidence that I’d haunted him for years, too. Any sign that I’d visited his dreams. An inkling that he understood my significance. He drove a dagger through my already broken heart with his oblivion.

Those amber eyes were clueless. His dark sandy hair rested on his body while mine stood at their full potential. His long limbs were fluid, completely relaxed.

Broad shoulders.

Large lips.

Perfect teeth.

Enormous hands.

Feet that were at least twice the size of mine.

Big, round eyes.

Bushy brows.

Curled lashes.

Smooth skin worthy of envy.

Ears that peeked from the sides of his face.

Silky hair, tapered with precision.

Never ending limbs.

Long enough to climb–

Like a log.

Like a tree.

He’s perfect .

His confidence was intoxicating. I wasn’t sure if my heart or head were hearting most. Partially insulted by his oblivion, I accepted this meeting for exactly what it was. An introduction.

“Nice to meet you Rome… Childers .”

Yearning for nearness, I leaned closer, pulling him in with one hand. My chest was just above his rib cage. His hand was just above my backside.

Save me. I breathed against his shirt, savoring the feel of his body against mine.

Releasing him was the most difficult task of my night, but I managed. Exhaling, I landed on my feet again. I hadn’t realized they’d lifted off the ground almost completely. I reopened my eyes, unsure of the exact moment they’d closed.

“He says no pictures, but I’m sure he wouldn’t mind one with you,” Aliza informed me, leaving me baffled.

“Excuse me?” I asked.

“For your dad or brother– I’m sure they’d love to frame it. Well, if they love the sport.”

Furrowed brows expressed my confusion.

“Basketball, silly!”