Page 30 of Into the Fire

Cole groaned. “Fucking damnit. Get here. I want to join.”

I smiled at his words.

“Be there soon.” I hung up and winked at my sweetheart.

She shook her head, the smile on her lips telling me all I needed to know. She’d heard Cole’s request.

She was going to be OK. Eventually, we all would be.

I just knew it.

Nobody ever went through hell without finding a way to heaven.

At least that’s what I kept telling myself.

TEN

ANSON

“Five. Six. Five. Six. Seven. Eight.” I called out the rhythm, watching as the dancers tried to learn the dance I’d choreographed. Our assignment was to teach a group a dance and perform it for the class. My group was struggling.

Rosalie winced as another dancer bumped into her and stepped on her foot. A guy named Devin tripped on his spin and knocked over two of the girls.

I sighed and cut the music.

“What seems to be the problem here?” I demanded, glaring at the students. “Did you all forget how to use your feet?”

“No offense, Anson, but this shit is hard,” a guy named Lance said. “I mean, I sing. That’s what I do.”

“Well, in this class, you also dance. Your ability to do so will determine our grades. You’re on a scholarship, right?”

He swallowed and nodded.

“Then you need this grade. So do several others. I suggest we figure out what’s going on and fix it sooner rather than later.”

“I knew I shouldn’t have signed up for this class,” another guy named Cameron muttered.

I sighed.

“Rosalie. What’s going on?”

“I suck at dancing,” she said, her cheeks darkening.

I let out a soft chuckle. I’d danced with her before. I knew that was a bunch of shit.

“Liar. We did the showcase. You were fine then.”

“That was different. The steps were easier. This is, like, street stuff. I’m not, um, street enough. I took ballet and tap. I’m not so sure I can pop it and lock it or make a fire.” She bit her bottom lip. “It’s called fire, right?”

A few members laughed.

“No,it’s fireis like it’s hot. It’s good. It’s awesome,” Danny explained. “It’s not a dance move.”

Her face reddened further. “Oh.”

I rubbed my eyes. I was really hoping she’d be able to help me out with this, but it looked like it was a lost cause.

“Maybe show us again?” Rosalie called out. “Slower this time?”

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