Page 115 of Against The Rules

“Oooooh,” half of them say at the same time.

I laugh. “I don’t have a girlfriend,” I tell them.

It’s true. I don’t.

I have a wife, and I’m going to take care of her.

CHAPTER 50

SAVANNAH

I give out hugs and autograph my picture in the Beaver Cheer calendar and pose for selfies and by the time all the little kids leave, I’m freaking exhausted.

It was worth it, though.

“That was fun,” Ashley trills, coming to stand next to me. “They were so cute.”

“They really were,” I say. “I forgot how much I like teaching.”

“You were so good with them,” Eva says from the front of the room, flipping her dark hair over a shoulder. “You’re so patient. I couldn’t believe you were able to get so many of them pirouetting correctly so quickly.”

“You and me both,” I say with a laugh.

“I mean it,” Eva says. “Have you thought about teaching? I know one of the studios I work with is looking for new instructors.”

“I wish I had time,” I tell her. “How would I make that work with rehearsals?”

“No, of course, you’re right. You were really fun to watch though.”

“You came alive,” Ashley agrees. “You’re a natural.”

“Oh, thanks,” I say, surprised by both of them. “That’s nice of you.”

“You okay?” Eva asks, narrowing her eyes at me. “You seem tired.”

“Just didn’t put on enough concealer,” I say with a hollow laugh. “I was up late working last night and didn’t set my alarm early enough.”

Eva screws up her mouth like she’s going to say something more, but Ashley puts her hand on her wrist.

I’m saved from whatever she was thinking by Andy and Tiffany bounding into the room. “That was fun!” Andy yells. “Those kids were so cute.”

“Who wants to go out for dinner? And maybe some adult liquids?” Tiffany asks.

“I have to work,” I say automatically.

“Oh come on, Savannah. We had so much fun in Vegas. You know,” she draws out the word. I can’t move. I can’t think. “You never spilled on that guy you met there. He was cute.” She screws up her face. “I think. That night is a blur.”

My terror is replaced by relief. She doesn’t remember.

“We shouldn’t talk about it here,” Eva says out of the side of her mouth. “She might hear.”

Ashley rolls her eyes. “Yeah, seriously though, Savannah, you never tell us anything anymore. What did she say to you after that game, where what’s his name… Tyler? Gave you a rose?”

“You’ve been running out of practice as fast as you can,” Tiffany accuses.

I pinch the bridge of my nose, trying to defuse the fear going through me. “I started a new business. Well, I’m still working on getting everything set up to start it, but it should launch in early December. I know I haven’t been as social, I’m sorry.”

“Oh my GOD!” Andy claps her hands. “Savvy, that’s so awesome! What kind of business?”

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