Page 25 of Fielder's Choice

“What made you go into ballet?” Ella asks me.

“My mom is Eileen Finch. She spent a decade with the New York City Ballet before opening Finch Ballet Company. I would spend time at the studio with her when I was little, and I was just drawn to it. I’ve practically been a ballerina since I could walk.”

“Ballet always seemed so fun to me,” Harlow says. “But considering I’m about as graceful as an elephant, it wasn’t meant to be.”

“I don’t think Knox minds you not being graceful,” Rory smirks.

“He does not.” Harlow bites down her smile.

The girls seem to be open about sex. I can’t deny that it makes me a bit uncomfortable, especially when I have nothing to contribute to those conversations, but I’m going to keep that to myself. Iwantto get more comfortable in these situations, and maybe this can actually help me with that.

“As you can see,” Lucia says, gesturing to the girls around her. “We’re a feral bunch. But we have a lot of fun together.”

“Strong female friendships are so important,” Harlow adds.

“Fuck the patriarchy!” Ella yells, raising her glass in the air quickly as wine sloshes over the sides.

Rory places a hand on my shoulder. “Welcome to the insanity, Liv.”

I can’t help but smile genuinely at that.

I’ve been closed off for so long, but for the first time in years, I think I actually have friends.

ten

Lane

“I’mgonnaneedyouto give me your keys while you’re gone, Ari,” Cole says, plopping down onto the sofa with a fresh beer in hand. “You’re the last solo one of us. No one else has a place to themselves.”

“Lucia still lives on her own,” I state. “Though I’m pretty sure she spends most of her time at Matt’s.”

I don’t miss the way Ari rolls his eyes, but he doesn’t verbally reply.

“Keep out of my place, fucker,” Ari chuckles as he responds to Cole now. “I’ll only be gone a couple weeks.”

Cole levels him with a look. “The fuck you will. You always plan to head to Korea for a couple weeks, and then you extend your stay.”

“He’s a mama’s boy,” Josh chuckles. “Let him be.”

“Fuck off, Garro.” Ari shakes his head. “In my defense, I only ever get to see my mom during the offseason. She lives on the other side of the fucking world.”

Ari actually lived in South Korea until he was ten. That’s when his parents divorced, and his dad brought him back to the USwith him. His dad is in the military, so they moved around a lot from what he’s told us. Despite his father’s efforts, he’s close with his mom, and we all know he wishes he could see her more often.

“You know I love Eomma,” Cole smiles.

“When are you heading out?” Knox asks.

“Couple of days,” Ari answers. “Flight’s first thing Monday morning.”

“Are you going to be back for the, uh…” Knox stammers, “party?”

Ari smiles at him. “Wouldn’t miss that party for anything, man. I’ll be back in the States before that.”

“Are you nervous at all about that?” I ask Knox.

He lets out a breath. “Of course I am. I’m pretty sure the nerves are normal.”

“Yep,” Josh says. “I’ll attest to that. I was nervous as hell.”

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