Page 51 of Power Play

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My fingers start to type a couple times, ready to tell him to shove it, to leave me alone, or to ask him what happened and why he had to be such a jerk to me. But every time I try to type, my fingers just hover over the keys, frozen. Instead, I respond to his question in the only way I know how, honestly.

Lyrical. I loved that I got to just move to the music. My body having the free will to move as it pleases and feel the music. It was always such a release for me.

Rex

Why the past tense?

I don’t dance anymore.

Rex

But you teach my daughter?

I haven’t actually danced since my injury. I’ve been too nervous to find out I can’t do it anymore.

Why am I telling him this? More importantly, why is he asking me when he so obviously wanted nothing to do with me before.

Rex

I was the same after my injury. It wasn’t until Bernard and Trevor practically forced me onto the ice that I skated again. Sometimes you just have to make the leap and try, especially if it’s important to you.

I’m not sure it’d work out the same for me.

Rex

You never know until you try.

Thanks for the advice. I’ve gotta get back to work.

Rex

Work?

Oh... Why are you still working there?

Because someone has to pay for my schooling, and my brother made sure my mother won’t.

Rex

quit.

Serena comes back before I can overthink his comment, not that I’d know how to take him telling me to quit my job. Does this asshole really think that I’ll listen to him after he was so fucking rude to me? Fuck him.

Sorry, it’s my turn up on stage. Travel safe, Mr. Lockwood.

A little white lie to hopefully shut him up, then I turn off my phone and look at Serena who’s watching me curiously.

“Who ya talking to at this time of night?” She asks with a knowing smirk that’s annoying as hell.

“No one. Was just looking through my phone,” I say quickly.

“Nice try. I was watching you text. Spill.”

“It’s nothing. Rex was just asking me a question about dance for Rory,” I tell her. It’s not a lie, that is how it started.

“At this time of night? I’m sure that’s what ya’ll are talking about. Don’t bullshit a bullshiter.”