Page 47

FIFTEEN

Land.

Land.

Land.

Land.

You’ve got this Rome.

That’s right.

Yes.

Stick it.

That’s it.

That’s it.

Stick it.

THAT’S IT.

You did it.

You did it!

My feet landed, thudding against the stage, finalizing the performance. Trembling arms came down slowly as the music ended dramatically. Romeo’s hand joined mine. We stepped forward, linking hands with the rest of the cast of The Wayward Enchantress .

This feels good.

So good .

Applauses erupted. There wasn’t a spectator in their seat in the audience. Everyone was up on their feet. Cheering. Whistling. Chanting.

“That’s my baby!” Royce cheered!

“You did that, Rome!” Roulette’s voice was heard over the clapping.

Chemistry’s hands slammed together over and over. He was quiet, but he was still the loudest in the room. His pride. His pain. His love. It was loud.

My heart galloped in my chest as my body folded, taking a bow. That was it. That was the completion of my first show since touching Clarke’s soil.

I lifted my body and bowed once more. The applause was still plentiful. My eyes twinkled with tears. Happy tears. Sad tears. Painful tears. I allowed none to fall. It wasn’t the time.

Not yet . I urged. Not yet, baby .

I raised to discover additional weight adorning my head. My fingers slid upward, immediately accommodating the crown Cecilia was holding. My fingers quivered as I straightened my spine.

“You deserve this more than anyone, Rome,” she whispered.

“Not only did you come in and rule the stage, but you overcame every adversity tossed in your direction. You are the Prima Ballerina. I knew it the first day I saw you pivot. So flawlessly. As if you were born to dance. Not everyone has it. You do and Huff Theater wants to honor you.”

Breaking through the formation was a very familiar face in Huff Theater–all across Huffington.

Hailing from Channing was the undisputed, undeniable Prima Ballerina Sleigh Knight.

Slowly, she made her way over to me, lowering the sash onto my body.

She, then, handed me the bouquet of red roses she was holding.

“You’re such a joy to watch on stage. So agile. So confident. So natural. You’re everything Huff Theater needs in a leader. Prima Ballerinas aren’t made. They’re born. And, you, my friend, was definitely born for this.”

“Thank you,” I panted, accepting the flowers. “You’re beautiful.”

“So are you.”

“I watched you perform when I was only a few years old. I had already made my mind up that I’d some day be the best thing Clarke had ever seen, but seeing you on that stage flipped a switch.

“It turned me into a different type of beast. I’ve never gotten the chance to, so I’ll thank you now for being a direct influence for my career and for inspiring young girls that look just like us all over the world.”

“Just wait, Rome. You’re going to inspire entire generations.”

“Thank you. Thank you.”

As the curtains closed, the cheering slowly died out.

“You are fucking amazing,” Romeo squealed. “Prima Ballerina. Girrrrrrrrl, I knew it was coming. You’re just too damn good.”

“Thank you, Romeo.”

“Congratulations, Rome.”

“Congratulations.”

“Congratulations!”

From left and right, I was congratulated as I descended the stairs, heading to my dressing room.

I didn’t miss the bitterness on Aliza’s pretty face as she stormed off ahead.

August was waiting at the last step with a bottle of water.

It was fresh, cold, and the seal hadn’t been broken.

I chugged it, I finished the entire bottle and tossed the empty plastic in the trashcan.

“Balle, they’re waiting for you in the dressing room.”

“Thank you.”

I had depleted most of my energy, but the crown on my head and the sash on my body had given me a second wind. August and I made our way down the hallway. I entered my dressing room to find everyone I loved inside. Except for one person. One very important person.

“Congrats, babbbbbbbbbbyyyyy!” Roulette sang. “Them bitches knew they weren’t fucking with a picture of you. Tell ‘em quit playing and try again.”

Chuckling, I pushed forward, interested in one little tiny, cute face. I pulled Jru into my arms and held her close.

“Hug my neck,” I begged. She did as she was asked.

“Tighter.”

I needed her love. I needed all of her love.

“Tighter, Tee.”

She squeezed tighter.

“Just like that.”

A knock at the door grabbed our attention. Koen opened it slightly. Upon recognizing a familiar face, he slid over, allowing the guest inside. Nadia appeared. She was as precious as could be in the white button down and dark pants.

Her top squeezed her curves, pushing her breast together. She was draped in gold jewelry, accenting her beauty. And, she smelled like the money she was.

“Nadia–”

Saint’s face rushed through my thoughts at once. He was on the court, playing his heart out, and I was saddened I couldn’t be courtside.

“I hope you don’t mind. Saint refused to not have someone from his tribe here in support.”

I melted against Jru’s dark brown skin.

“He sends his love. And says that he never breaks a promise… especially not a promise to you.”

Nadia handed me a solid black key. My brows furrowed as my heart skipped three beats. By the fourth, it realized I needed it to live and to drive the car I’d just been gifted.

Bugatti. I looked from the key to Nadia and then to the key again.

“He said he’ll never forget the look on your face the first time you rode beside him. He wants it on your face all the time. Every day. Because, he wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“Oh, baby, let me make an appointment for Roaman to stitch this back up. Maybe if I can find my hymen I can get one too. Baby sis got Bugatti pus–”

“ROULETTE,” everyone yelled at once.

“I’m just saying,” Roulette sniggered.

“You were great out there.”

“Thank you. How much time is left in the game?” I asked.

“They are entering the final quarter.”

“Are we up?”

She nodded.

“Maybe I can make it.”

“Don’t,” she told me, “There’s no need. He’s bringing home that ring, Rome. Just embrace him when he does. He’s hurting. You’re hurting. You need each other tonight.”

She was right.

“I’m going to get out of here. It was nice meeting all of you. Drive safely.”

“Nice to meet you as well. Your parents make some cute children,” Royce told Nadia.

“Thank you.”

Everyone said their goodbyes. Koen closed the door behind her. I turned to find Chemistry near. His arm went around me, hugging both Jru and I.

“You ready, kid?”

“Yes. I’m ready.”

“Good, cause you’re riding with me.”

“I want to go home, Teddy. I don’t have it in me to celebrate tonight. We can postp–”

“If you don’t want to then we won’t. We’ll have time. It doesn’t have to be now. When you’re ready, we will. Understand?”

I nodded.

“Can you give these guys the night off?” I asked, tipping my head toward August and Koen.

“There was an attempt on your life, Rome. Nobody gets the night off. Not even me.”

“They dese–”

“Dead it, baby.”

Shaking my head, I did exactly that.

“I need to get changed. And, then I’ll be ready to go.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

Change of plans.

Change of plans.

Change of plans.

Think.

Think.

Think .

I paced my bedroom floor as I tapped the side of my head. The new car Saint had gifted me would cause a distraction. Taking one of the cars Chemistry had given me would cause a distraction. August and Koen were still awake and they didn’t have the night off like I’d anticipated.

Think.

Think.

Thi–

I looked down at my feet and headed for my bedroom door. The extra weight in my jacket did nothing to slow me down. It reminded me of a weighted vest. The ones I loved to add to my workouts every so often.

“You’re a runner, Rome. RUN,” I reminded myself as I took the stairs of my home to the first floor.

I lifted the kitchen window and climbed through it. Walking out of the front door was not an option. Leaves crackled underneath my feet. I pushed through the grassy plain, desperate to find the opening in the fence that surrounded my yard.

I walked for a quarter of a mile in the back of my property before finding it. We’d gone over the escape route in the event of an emergency once in the daylight. I could hardly see a thing with the sun hiding tonight.

Once through the gate, I picked my feet up. Slowly, I gained a good stride. I began the long journey across Mt. Clarke.

Six and a half miles . I noted, pressing the timer on my phone.

Thirty-nine minutes .

Every thirty seconds, a street light shined down on me, acknowledging my presence. I kept my head low and my eyes straight forward. My adrenaline pumped ferociously. Still, I pushed forward.

Minute six .

I was feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders. Everything I’d endured over the last five years. The uprooting of my family. The death of my father. The incarceration of my brother. The loneliness. The solitude.

Minute fourteen .

And then there was Saint. He coaxed me to a more pleasant place. A better state of mind. He was my kryptonite. Thoughts of him were nothing in comparison to him. He was unimaginable. Inexplicable. He was perfection wrapped up in a person. And, he was mine. My person.

Minute twenty-six .

Sweat peeped out of my pores as my father’s face appeared in front of me. Run, baby. Run. He encouraged. Run.

Minute thirty .

My lungs were begging for relief, but there was no time to stop. No time to waste. No time to rest.

Minute thirty four .

My destination was within my reach. It was in my line of vision. I could see it. I powered through, making my way down the hill, careful not to fall.

Minute thirty six .

I pressed on. A burst of energy consumed me at once. It was just the fix I needed to power through.

Minute thirty eight.

I reached the entry with a minute to spare. Double doors slid open, welcoming me inside. With my head down, I pushed past the lobby and pressed the button for the elevator.

Ding.