Page 8 of Undeniably

Thinking back to my first days in ballet, I remember my classes. They weren’t as tough back then. It was more about the love of the dance than it was about perfection. It wasn’t until I progressed into intermediate classes that the competitiveness between classmates really started. Everyone wants to be the star.

Shaking off the negative feelings that stir inside, I focus on the happier days. Pen to paper, I write out three lesson plans before I hear a soft knock at my door.

“Honey, it’s dinnertime.”

I glance at the clock and discover four hours have passed. I smile when I realize that in those hours, I felt peaceful. My mind was clear for once in my life.

With that uplifting feeling, I make my way down to dinner.

???

Keaton

“What’s your problem?”

I jerk around to find Finley standing in the door of my home gym. I’ve been using the punching bag to release the aggression I’ve felt since this morning.

“Nothing. Go away.” I turn back to the bag and continue to punch, relishing in the sting in my hands with each connection.

“Are you sure this has nothing to do with a certain dancer who recently showed up?”

I swing around to glare at him. “Why would I care if that bitch is back?”

He chuckles. “Dude, you should see the look on your face. You’re clearly affected.”

“Careful, Fin. I would hate to bruise that pretty face of yours,” I taunt.

He puts up his fists as he shadowboxes around me. “You’d have to catch me first, son.”

I don’t buy into his bait. He’s fast but not as fast as I can be. He knows that too, which is why he drops his hands and changes the subject.

“Let’s get food. Baby Yates is complaining of starving pains upstairs.”

I unwrap my hands before grabbing a towel to wipe off my face.

“Where are we going?”

“Momma’s House, where else?”

Ever since Sage started working there last year, it’s become our place to eat. Even though she’s cut back on her hours and is helping manage instead of serving, we eat there faithfully. We’re a loyal bunch.

“I’ll hop in the shower and meet you up there.”

“Bro, she might eat my hand.” He gives me a concerned look.

“Feed her a snack, Fin. Damn, is this your first day on the job?”

We all know that Tinsley can turn into a gremlin if we don’t feed her, but I also smell like a dog’s ass right now.

Within twenty minutes, we’re on the road to Momma’s House. Tinsley’s prattling on about her day at school, and Finley comments every once in a while, so she knows at least one of us is listening. I love my sister to death and would take a million bullets for her, but she never stops talking.

It’s only gotten worse since she met Sage. Sage gave her confidence that she never had before. She’s become a mother figure to Tins even though she’s not that much older than we are. If I’m being honest, I kind of look to her for that same guidance. Instead of partying every single night like I used to, I’ve calmed down a bit. Now I spend more time with Tinsley and less time with girls.

It was like Sage filled this puzzle piece we knew was missing but couldn’t find.

Tinsley’s voice pulls me from my thoughts as a name leaves her lips.

“Morgan was at lunch today. I told her she could hang out with us.”

---