Page 81 of The Dance

I wanted to wait until Eddie had everything under control at Sweethearts before I added another victim to Brody’s rap sheet. Maybe there was a way for our names to stay out of it. I didn’t know, but I had to come forward.

It was time.

“Fine, but I don’t want anyone to know until they have to—ifthey have to.”

“All right. Well, call me if you need me, and I’ll try to be here.”

“Don’t ruin your dreams because of me, Stace. I’ll be okay.”

“But just in case—”

“Go before you’re late.”

I hugged Molly and then grabbed my duffle bag and headed to my first practice. The entire drive, I thought about what Brody had done to me. I’d thought since it happened over a year ago that I was fine. However, seeing his face on New Year’s Eve should have been my clue that I wasn’t over it. Does a woman ever get over being violated? Each day got easier, but I would never forget the pain or the way he manhandled me, tying my hands behind my back and almost dislocating my shoulders. I would always remember how much it burned as he bent me over on the bed and rammed into me. I would always think about the tears that soaked the bedspread, and how, when he saw I was crying, he flipped me over and punched me over and over to the point I saw stars.

If I had reported him when it happened, as Blake urged me to do, Molly wouldn’t have been attacked.Icould have prevented her from having the same memories that will never go away, and I’ll have to live with that for the rest of my life.

I wiped a tear off my cheek as I pulled into a parking spot of the studio. In front of Molly, I was strong because she had been the one for me to lean on, but being in my car alone, I couldn’t fight the tears. It was just my luck that someone saw me.

Grabbing my bag, I got out of my car so I wouldn’t be late. With my head down, I made my way through the parking lot, only to realize someone had started to walk next to me. I looked up to meet the gaze of the guy.

“I think this is a first,” he said.

My brow furrowed. “What’s that?”

“Usually, Maze makes someone cry after we’ve started practice, not before.”

“It’s not about practice.” I smiled tightly.

“I figured as much. I’m Theo, by the way.”

“Stacey.”

“Well, Stacey, are you ready to turn that frown upside down?”

I snorted at his cheesy line.

“Aw, there we go. Let’s go have more of those smiles.” He slung his arm over my shoulders and steered me into the building. We put our bags down along a wall, switched into our dancing shoes, and then started to stretch our legs.

“How long have you been dancing for Maze?” I asked.

“This will be my second tour.”

“Has she made you cry?” I grinned.

Theo grunted a little laugh. “Hell, no.”

“Let me guess. Grown men don’t cry?”

“No, we cry, but I’m just too good to be yelled at.”

“Is that so?”

“You’ll just have to wait and see.” He winked.

A few minutes later, the woman who had checked me in for my audition walked in. “Everyone, welcome. I’m Karla, Maze’s assistant. I wanted to pop in and introduce myself, as well as let everyone know that even though you’ve made it onto the tour, some of you won’t make it past today.” Her eyes cut to me, and I drew in a small breath. “You’re all still on probation, and if we don’t think you’re doing a good job, you’ll be cut immediately.”

Theo nudged me with his shoulder. “Don’t let her get to you. I’ve got your back.”