Page 64 of The Dance

Once I started going to the gym several days a week and eating a shitload of protein, I bulked up. Babies wanted more once they experienced what I had to offer, but I knew they were using me—or trying to. With Stacey, I wasn’t getting that vibe, especially since she fought me on paying for her hotel room.

We ordered our drinks and I turned, my gaze searching for Brody. I didn’t see him. “Want to dance?”

She grinned over the rim of her glass. “You know I love to dance.”

“Well then, drink up, sunshine.”

We downed our cocktails, placing the empty glasses on a table nearby, and once again, I laced our fingers together. When we got on the dance floor, we danced for a few songs before I heard my name.

“Yo, Eddie!”

I turned around to see Brody and his wife approaching. I smiled. “Hey! Did you just get here?”

“Yeah, kids made us late.”

I turned my head to introduce Stacey to Brody, except when I looked over, her face had lost all color, and I wasn’t certain she was breathing. “Stacey?” I whispered.

Her gaze flicked to mine, and then, without a word, she ran away.

20

Stacey

I never thoughtI would feel the way I did that night.

I never thought I would see him again.

I never thought he would know Eddie.

Everything felt as though it was closing in on me as I sprinted from the ballroom. Fear crept in as I pressed the button for the elevator over and over and over again. Was he coming after me? Was he pretending he didn’t know me?

The elevator doors slid open, and I rushed in, not waiting for the occupants to exit. They were taking too long. He was coming for me.

My head was spinning.

My heart was racing.

And it felt as though I couldn’t breathe.

I moved to the back of the elevator as everyone finally exited, and as soon as they were all out, I leaped forward and pressed the button for my floor repeatedly, praying the doors would close, leaving me alone.

Leaving me to run to the safety of my room.

It felt like several minutes before the doors finally started to close. As they did, my gaze connected with Eddie’s as he tried to stop them from shutting. He didn’t succeed, and the elevator descended. Did he know? He was the creator of Sweethearts. Was it all part of some plan? Was he a rapist, too?

It didn’t take long for the elevator to go down the few floors. With shaky hands, I used my keycard and opened the door to my room. Once I was locked inside, I slid onto the floor, and my sobs broke free. A few moments later, there was a knock on the door.

“Stacey, it’s Eddie. Are you in there?”

I couldn’t catch my breath to respond.

“Shit, I can hear you crying. Please open the door. I don’t know what’s going on.”

“Please—” I said between a weep. “Go.”

“I’m not leaving you. What happened?”

“Please,” I begged again.