Page 60 of Paper Thin Love

It would be like asking me to hold my breath and only survive on that last intake of air.

I can’t.

I wish I could. I wish I could detest her, so I didn’t give my father what he wanted.

As Jared dips her, the top of her hair, in that tight, perfect bun, brushes against the floor.

Jared could drop her right on her neck. The way her body is so relaxed tells me she trusts him more than she trusts me.

Their relationship as dance partners makes me insanely jealous. More so than I have ever felt before because unbeknownst to Jared or Mila, she is mine. Literally. She’s promised to me.

I don’t share.

Jared’s hands shift down, embracing the curve of her spine until they grasp her ass before he effortlessly returns her to her feet, continuing their dance with seamless elegance.

“Fucking breathe, man,” Cillian says jokingly. I forgot he and Dante were watching, too.“You look like you’re going to either have an aneurysm or come in your pants.”

The sight of Jared’s hands on Mila’s waist, guiding her, supporting her, ignites that primal jealousy within me again. Watching them, I feel a knot tighten in my chest, my fists clenching involuntarily. He twirls her once more, lifting her high above his head, and she seems to fly for a moment before he catches her, bringing her back down gently. It’s a dance of beauty and strength, and it infuriates me that he is the one sharing it with her.

“Look, man,” Cillian comments,“I know you’re planning murder right now, but he’s just a scholarship kid.”

Don’t fucking care.

The music stops, and their teacher comes forward with a cane. I expect Mila to smile, but what I see has me closing the distance, my senses on alert. It’s written all over Mila’s face—fear.

And Jared? Well, that fucking prick knows something is coming. I don’t miss the small step he takes in front of Mila.

Who’s he protecting her from?

The teacher starts to shout at them, and I see all that graceful joy Mila was faking evaporate as the teacher picks her and Jared apart.

“What a fucking dick,” Cillian grumbles as he slings his bag over his shoulder.

The three of us watch as the teacher raises the short stick he’s holding and aims it at Mila.

“What the fuck?” Dante mutters.

The teacher hits Mila’s calf with it. I know it hurts from the way she grits her jaw. He swings it up towards her arm, but Jared steps in the way. That earns him a direct hit in the back of the head.

“I think Mila got the short stick,” Dante mutters before stepping in front of Cillian and me, as if to block us from the scene unfolding.“Ballet might be tougher than The Cleansing.”

“He fucking hit her,” Cillian mutters, a dangerous edge to his voice. His eyes widen in shock before narrowing in anger, his body tensing ready to spring into action.

“It’s not your battle, Cillian,” Dante states, his words thick with warning.

“You’re right,” Cillian replies, his broad shoulders shifting as he turns away from the studio to fix his eyes on me. There’s a spark of intensity in his expression.“It’s yours, Dash. What are you going to do now?”

Chapter 25

Mila

Fire burns in the tips of my toes, now so numb that I can’t even feel them anymore. It’s probably a good thing because I know they’d be swollen and in pain, as they usually are by the end of dance class. My lungs ache, wanting to heave and pant dramatically, but like every poised ballerina, I try to mask my labored breathing. Jared and I just danced everything perfectly, and we can both see it in our eyes—they’re smiling with satisfaction. For a rare moment, I feel like our relationship is back to that friendly level.

“You were perfect,” Jared whispers, so only I can hear.“I’m sorry for everything. You’re not an easy person to let fly free, Mila. I was a jerk and if you’ll still have me as a friend, I’d be honored.”

My lips separate as I watch his eyes for any sign of a lie.

“I can’t give up dance.” He shakes his head with a palpable pain,“And I can’t dance without you as my partner.”

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