Page 15 of Movers and Shakers

“I don’t tend to look, but I know how much you care. What did Blaze do?”

My throat felt dry. I hadn’t told anyone anything yet, and no matter how much I wanted to trust Dad, the words wouldn’t come out. “We’ve just been together awhile. Both of us are struggling to feel the spark.”

“Are you sure that’s it?”

“Yep.”

Dad looked back in the direction of the stage. “Maybe you need a break, then. A break to follow where your eyes lead. If they tell you to go for someone else, there might be a reason.”

This wasn’t surprising advice. He was the one who went to whatever city he wanted to. He’d followed his heart his entire life. And that included leaving Mom shortly after they had me.

My eyes went in the direction of the main area. My heart was with my fans. They’d changed my life, made it so Mom could quit working and Dad could travel without a care in the world, more so now that I gave him the same stipend as Mom. The fans had made it so Blaze didn’t have to worry about money a day in his life.

I couldn’t let them down.

So I would stay with Blaze.

“I’m okay,” I said. “Want to finish out the night?”

“Is that whatyouwant?”

“Yeah, I haven’t gotten to dance very much.”

“Sounds good, Rosie. I wouldn’t mind dancing more.”

We walked back in and I took a deep breath. I pointedly didn’t look for Barry. Seeing him hadn’t filled me with peace at all. It had given me a buzz, and the feeling wanted me to find him and make him mine.

I walked through the crowd, the music taking me over. The DJ was playing some incredible songs and they knew exactly how to play to the people.

I danced, avoiding any routines that would make me look like Lila. It took me a moment to warm up, but eventually, the music invaded my mind, pushing out all thoughts of Barry.

I lost myself, dancing for me and only me, which I hadn’t done in a very long time.

My worries were gone for a few blissful seconds, but then a man got a little too close. I stepped away, trying to give him the hint that I wasn’t interested.

He only followed.

Okay, it was time to use words.

“Um, no, thank you.”

He didn’t move, his eyes dark.

My skin prickled as I tried to get away from him. I looked for Dad but couldn’t find him. Would I seriously have to punch out a guy in the middle of this bar?

An arm came between us. “All right, buddy. If her pulling awayandsaying no wasn’t enough for you, then I’ll be clear. She’s not interested.”I knew that voice.It was the same one on the stage just a moment ago.

Barry.

“But—‍”

“Iwillmake you leave.” Barry’s voice left no room for argument. My eyes trailed over him, catching on his long hair. Now that it was in front of me, I wondered what it would be like to run my hands through it.

“Try me,” the guy challenged, puffing up his chest.

Barry moved away from me and grabbed him by the arm. “Gladly.”

My jaw went slack as I witnessed them disappear, my skin sizzling with a ridiculous heat just from witnessing Barry’s muscles working to remove the man from my space.

---