Page 26 of Damaged Boys Don't Fall For Bubbly Girls
Lexi
The Edenbury Dance Studio feels like a second home. Not only because I’ve spent so much of my life here, but because it gave me something positive to focus on when life was hard. Since we didn’t have a lot of money years ago, I couldn’t participate in a lot of school activities, like trips. Even though I always told Mom and Aidan that I totally understood, it still stung that I had to miss out. But once Aidan signed me up for dance class, my life completely changed. I’ll forever be grateful to Dani and Easton.
Once Finn parks the van in the parking lot, we get out of the car and the guys head inside. I hang back for a bit, straining my ears for the sound of a motorcycle. Brock told us that he’ll meet us here, but it doesn’t look like he made it yet. I hope he didn’t get lost. I’m sure he knows the address, though—he used to hang out here with us all the time. Well, technically, he’d be reading a book while we had our classes, but I know he always took breaks to watch us.
Maybe Brock changed his mind and decided not to hang out with us?
Not wanting to be late for my class, I walk into the studio and make my way to Studio B, where most of the other dancers are already gathered and are stretching. I join them, forcing my eyes not to trek to the door every thirty seconds. Brock will come if he wants to come.
“Good afternoon, my lovely dancers,” Dani announces as she walks inside with another instructor, Jasmine. She gathers her gorgeous dark wavy hair into a ponytail and smiles warmly at us. “I’m so happy to see all your beautiful faces again. Did you guys have a good summer? I heard Jasmine and Zuri put togetheran amazing summer program for you. I wish I could have been here, but there was some business I had to do with Easton.”
Jasmine waves her hand. “It’s okay. I think the students had a great time. Right, guys?”
We all cheer that we did. Nate, Dean, and Cooper don’t take dance classes during the summer because they either go to camp or go on vacation with their families, but the rest of the students had a wonderful time.
“Can we discussThe Nutcracker?” Ruby asks.
Dani chuckles. “Who said we’re doingThe Nutcracker?”
We all give her a who-are-you-kidding face.
She chuckles again. “Okay, busted. I’d like to get started on it right away because Jasmine and I have a whole new vision planned for this ballet. Since most of you have doneThe Nutcrackera few times already, we want to try something a little different this year. I think you kids are going to love it and we’re totally going towowthe audience. It’s going to be amazing!”
She and Jasmine instruct us to perform various dance numbers to assess which role we’ll have in the ballet. Even though they know our skills by heart because we’ve been with them for years, they want to give everyone a fair shot.
“Nice, Gael,” Jasmine says as she passes by him. “Excellent form.”
I throw him a smile. He’s one of the best dancers in the class and willdefinitelybe cast as The Nutcracker.
As Dani passes by me, she adjusts my arm and then pats my back, giving me a sweet smile. I love Dani so, so much. She’s such an inspiration. She struggled a lot in dance class when she was my age because she doesn’t have the best coordination, but she pushed past her obstacles and insecurities and became one of the best dancers in her class. And then she went on to dance on Broadway! And even though she married the richest guy in Edenbury, she never lost who she is or forgot where she camefrom—a poor family, just like mine. Easton was always a great guy, but he’s even better because he married her.
And of course Jasmine and the other instructors are awesome, too. Jasmine was actually Dani’s teacher. How wild is that? She’s getting a bit on the older side, but she vows to dance as long as she can.
“Great, everyone!” Dani announces. “Keep going. You’re all doing amazing. Cooper, watch your form…nice. Just a bit longer and then I want to pair you guys off—” Her eyes widen and she releases a small shriek. In a flash, she’s at the door and hugging the living heck out of the person who just walked in.
Brock.
“Oh my gosh, Brock!” She squeezes him so tight, his face turns red. “I didn’t think I’d see you so soon! Easton and I wanted to invite you and your family for dinner later this week, but oh my gosh, you’re here!” She steps back and takes him in. “How the heck did you get so tall? I’ve seen you in videos and photos, but darn it, Brock, you’re taller than your dad.”
Brock laughs as he pushes his bangs out of his eyes. “Everyone keeps saying that. Is it a bad thing?”
“Of course not, you handsome devil. Oh gosh, I can’t believe how grown up you are. You’re like a man.”
“Uh…”
“And you look just like Zane!” Her brows furrow as she tucks her fingers under her chin and studies him. “Actually, I see a lot of Bailey in you. But you’re also so like Zane…” She shakes her head. “Darn, I can’t decide.”
“Thanks…I think.”
“And check out these bangs.” She pushes them to and fro with another laugh. “You trying to melt all the girls’ hearts?”
“Um…not really…”
Brock looks both embarrassed and not so surprised by Dani fawning over him. She, Mrs. Hastings, and their friends fromhigh school are a super-tight group, like a family. And since Mrs. Hastings’s husband’s younger brother is Brock’s dad, he and Zoey became part of the family, too. They’re all like second moms and dads to him.
When Brock turns his head toward the dancers and finds us all watching them, he laughs lightly and plays with his bangs again.
Dani follows his gaze and also laughs. “Sorry. I was just so happy and excited to see you. Did you come to visit or…?”
