Page 90 of Fielder's Choice

I take a deep breath and steady my rapid heartbeat. “Yes. I kind of stay with him a good bit.”

“Ooh, and last night was New Year’s Eve!” my sister shrieks. “Did you have a New Year’s kiss?!”

“Why are you so concerned about my love life?” I groan.

“Because my baby sister is happy and a lot more sure of herself. Since you didn’t answer my question, I’m taking that as confirmation, so I know something is going on between you two. And as long as Lane keeps taking care of you, he has my approval.”

“Taking care of me how?!” I practically yell, my heartbeat quickening again.

Luna cocks her head to the side and speaks softly. “I think she just meant that he’s being good to you and treating you right.”

“Based on that reaction, though,” Vi smiles, grin stretching from ear to ear, “I’m going to assume there’s a whole lot morecarethan that.”

God, if you’re listening, please let the ground swallow me whole.

I wait a moment, but nothing happens.

Goddammit.

My hands fly up to cover my face. “I don’t know if I want to have this conversation with you, Vi. Or Lu. You’re my sister and sister-in-law.”

Violet tampers down her smile, finally reining herself in. For now. “Liv, you’ve been through a lot. I don’t need details, but I also don’t think it’s a bad thing if you’re having sex.”

“We’re not having sex,” I say quietly. “We’re not there. Well, I’m not. But that doesn’t mean nothing has happened. He, uh, taught me how to get myself off since I couldn’t. And then he ‘took care of me’ for the first time last night.”

“Oh my God!” Violet yells excitedly. “He really is a porn star!”

“Violet!” I shout. “I thought we were done with the porn star nonsense?”

“You’re done with it,” she smirks. “I’m not.”

I throw my head back and sigh.

“Lane’s aura was pink,” Luna says, preventing my sister from carrying on. “When he picked you up for your date, he was pink, too.”

“He was?” I sit up more, looking right at Luna.

“Yes,” she smiles. “He likes you, Olive. Quite a bit, it seems.”

“I know he does,” I reply, my own lips tipping up now. “I kind of freaked out after our date, and I told him everything. He’s sympathetic but not overbearing. He hasn’t let it change his opinion of me. He’s just supportive and kind of perfect.”

“Perfect is exactly what you deserve,” Luna says while my sister nods in agreement.

The years have been hard on me, but I don’t know where I’d be if I didn’t have such an incredible family surrounding me. Luna and Michelle included.

I’m lucky, and I hope I don’t ever take that for granted.

Based on my current attire, it’s clear it’s not just my aura that’s pink.

A baby pink leotard and pink leg warmers cover me as I bound around the studio.

I can’t remember the last time I feltthismuchlike myself. My new facade is cracking, and the old Olive is peeking through.

But I’m so much more than just the old Olive now. I can take on that carefree nature again, back to how I felt before I became jaded to the world, but still acknowledge that my trauma made me into who I am today. I spent literal years feeling weak and hopeless, but now, I feel stronger than I ever have.

I know that doesn’t mean I won’t ever have bad days; I’m not completely naive. But with the help of Corinne, my family, and all my friends, I think I can manage those days more gracefully than before. I can be kind to myself without shutting myself off from everyone.

Ballet helps, too, and leaping and bounding around the studio makes me feel more alive than ever.

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