Page 83 of The Dance

My brow arched. “I … I don’t think that’s possible.”

“Can’t Eddie do something? He got you the gig.” We stared at each other for a few seconds. “Shit. I didn’t mean he got you the gig. I meant he got you the audition.”

I swallowed. “An audition isn’t the same as asking for someone to go on tour with the band.”

“I know, but can’t you see if he can do something?” Molly pleaded.

I didn’t know if it was possible, but I hated to see her cry. “Let me call in our order, take a shower, and then I’ll give Eddie a call. Okay?”

She nodded and grabbed the vodka bottle. I didn’t say anything. Instead, I did what I said I was going to do and called in our order.

Once I was out of the shower, I grabbed my cell and dialed Eddie. I wasn’t only calling him because of Molly. I was curious about what was happening with Brody, and I wanted to tell him Karla was a bitch. The call rang a few times and then went to his voicemail. Setting my phone on the counter, I brushed my wet hair. A text came through.

Eddie: Not a good time. Talk later?

Me: Yeah, okay.

Except he didn’t call.

* * *

Groaning,my muscles still ached as I reached for my phone to shut off the alarm. It felt as though I’d been in a car accident or dragged around by a bull. My body wasn’t used to dancing the way I had non-stop during practice, and I was feeling it.

After shutting off the alarm, I checked the home screen to see that I had a missed text from Eddie. It was sent after three in the morning.

Eddie: Hope I don’t wake you, and sorry I didn’t call you back. Things are crazy with Sweethearts as you can imagine. I hope practice was good for you and you’re having an amazing time. Call me when you get done today. Miss you already.

It sucked I hadn’t heard from him before I went to sleep, but I understood he was dealing with a lot.

Me: Now *I* hope I don’t wake you. I’ll call you when I get home from practice around 6. Miss you too. Have a good day.

There was no reply from Eddie as I left for practice. Molly was still sleeping, and I didn’t want to wake her, even though I wondered how she was feeling. So, instead, I got into my car and headed to the studio. Theo was waiting for me as I pulled up and got out of my car.

“I was wondering if you were going to show up.” He smiled.

“Why wouldn’t I?”

He slung his duffle bag over his shoulder, and we fell into step to walk across the parking lot. “You’ll see.”

Theo held the door open for me, and we put our stuff down along the wall. We switched out of our shoes, stretched, and as practice began, I realized we’d started with twenty dancers, and we were down to thirteen.

“Where are the others?” I whispered to him.

“More than likely, couldn’t cut it and won’t be coming back.”

27

Blake

I staredat a text I’d just received from my brother for a good solid minute. It was a photo of an engagement ring and him saying he was proposing. Proposing to Spencer after only dating her for a few months. Don’t get me wrong, Spencer was cool as hell, but not that long ago, Brandon was dating some crazy chick, and let’s just say some outrageous shit went down. At one point, we all thought he was going to be a father but turned out that was a lie. Then more shit went down with a guy he went to college with, and now he was going to propose to the person caught in the middle of all his drama.

Me: Seriously? You’ve known her for a hot minute.

It didn’t take him long to reply:

Almost lost her. I know she’s it for me.

His last text was true. Spencer could have died from what had transpired over the last few months. I’d never been in his situation—never wanted to be since I wasn’t the settling down type—but the more I thought about his words, the more I realized maybe he was right, and almost losing someone was enough to make you stop living in the present and look toward your future.