Page 13 of If Ever

"So don't look me in the eye and give me that load of bull. I'm sure I'll be out of here by tomorrow night and you can get on with your life." I spin on my heel to leave. "Sorry Hank. I'm not usually so rude."

"Nice to see you have some fireworks in you, Sparky," he says with a chuckle.

"Chelsea, we have post interviews," Dominic calls after me.

"Remember, I don't have a clue on how to talk to the media. You handle it." I storm off as gracefully as I can in my torturous heels.

The next day Dominic and I come to the unspoken agreement not to speak unless we absolutely have to. Our scores were the lowest of the night and I'm the least popular person on the show. We'll be booted off, and other than a red-eye flight to New York to make our walk of shame appearance on the national morning show, it'll be over.

I wander over to Hank's trailer to say my goodbyes. He's stretched out in his lawn chair holding court with his bottle of bourbon.

"There you are. I missed you last night at the party." He takes a tumbler and pours me a finger of amber liquid.

"I'd reached my quota of Celebrity Dance Off drama for one day." I take a seat on the steps to his trailer. I spent my night alone with a bottle of pre-mixed margaritas, a bag of tortilla chips, and a tub of guac.

"You must have a low tolerance because I usually hit it by noon." He tilts his head toward the ear-splitting rant from two trailers down. "Miss Capri is a difficult woman to satisfy. Yesterday it was the wrong flavor of vitamin water. I haven't ciphered out what today's hissy fit is about."

I sip the pungent liquid, letting the burn soothe my jumbled nerves. "I wish I had the guts to throw a temper tantrum. When I get the slightest bit frustrated, the cameras are all over me, making me look like a whiney child."

"Is that what's got you down?"

I swirl the bourbon in my plastic tumbler. The strong taste is growing on me. "Nah. I just wanted to stop by and say it's been nice getting to know you."

He nods, drumming his fingers on his lawn chair. "You know, it's possible it could be me tonight."

"No! You're the entertaining grandpa figure that everyone wishes they had."

"More like the crazy uncle everyone avoids at family gatherings." He winks. "You're much too nice a girl to get caught up with this bunch anyway. What'll you do when you go home?"

"That's a good question. I came here to jump start my life. Instead I think I just derailed it more. I don't want my old job back, and I have no idea what to do next." The idea of another job in a stuffy office with a bunch of conservative suits stifles my breathing.

"No handsome young fella to sweep you off your feet?" He studies me over the top of his bifocals.

"Nah. I'm not too lucky in love either."

"A pretty thing like you? If I were forty years younger, I'd take you for a spin around the dance floor myself."

I grin. "I bet you were a handful in your twenties."

"And a half," he chuckles with a mischievous glint in his eye.

When we line up backstage for the results show, Candace Capri is arguing with the head producer. The show starts and she's still deep in meltdown mania with her arms flapping and voice raised. The show goes on and as predicted Dominic and I are in the bottom three. He clips me a resigned nod. Hank isn't in the reject group with us. Instead it's Haley, the model, and Dalton, the body builder.

As Marcus discusses with the judges which of us deserves to go home, Haley plays with her hair, pulling it forward, running her fingers through it, and then pulling at the imaginary split ends of her extensions.

The judges are unanimous that Dominic and I are, sadly, so far off our game that there's no chance of recovery.

In a surprise move, a weepy-eyed Candace limps out with her partner and explains how she's pulled a muscle in rehearsal.

"Think she pulled it while throwing a fit?" Dominic says under his breath, and for a moment, I forget everything I dislike about him and offer up a smile.

Candace says the doctors insist she can't continue. She thanks her fans profusely and happily proclaims she'll still be able to continue on with her tour.

Dominic and I look at each other. What does this mean for us?

"And so," Marcus continues. "All three couples in the bottom are safe!"

My jaw drops open in shock. Dominic wears the same stunned expression as the audience applauds. The finale music plays and the rest of the cast and stars swarm around Miss Capri to wish her well.

Dominic leans into my ear. "You and I need to talk."

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