Page 39 of I Don't Need Your Love
One could say I don’t believe in love because of my parents. But secretly, I kind ofdoknow it exists. Blake’s parents have been in love for years and are so sickly crazy about each other. But they’re the exception to the rule. Most couples I know break up, so why bother to begin with? All these movies and songs cry about heartache. Why in the world would anyone put themselves through that?
“You have fun with your twins and I’ll have with my soulmate,” Blake says. “Whether it be Ximena or someone else.”
I salute. “Good luck with that. And good luck on your game.”
“Good luck on your performance, and send my regards to Carly.”
“Will do. Talk to you later.”
Chapter Fifteen
Carly
I’ve performed in front of an audience many times throughout my life. I used to take dance classes up until ninth grade, when I started to attend Harrington Bay Academy. We got a good deal at my old studio because they liked to accept kids from all different backgrounds. My parents knew how important it was for me and were happy to pay for it. But it’s different now. The studios nearby are much more expensive. My dad told me he would be open to paying for dance classes as long as I did well in school, but I don’t want to be such a financial burden on my family. So I’ve been keeping up with my dancing in my free time, making sure to practice every day.
It’s been a while since I danced before an audience and I feel like I’m going to puke. This will be our debut, and if we do a terrible job, I worry we’ll lose all confidence for the competition. The morale of the group is pretty high because we’re super pumped about our routine, but anything can happen once we get out there.
“Focus on the fact that you look cute,” I say as I spin around in the girls’ locker room and touch the hem of my dance uniform. The team and I are so thrilled with how they came out. The blue color is so pretty and it looks amazing against the white and the “Eagles” lettering. There’s a bit of sparkle on them as well. When I put on the uniform, I felt like I put on a second skin. It’spartof me now.
Some of the other dancers are chatting excitedly as they add last-minute touches to their hair and makeup. All of our hair is pulled into a high ponytail or a bun and we have sparkly blue scrunchies with ribbons that match our uniforms.
Addie is nowhere to be found. I think she snuck outside to hang out with Caleb. Even though her life is no longer in danger, Caleb still likes to stay close and keep an eye on her. She feels safer with him around, too. I internally sigh as a bit of jealousy engulfs me. Of course I’m super happy for my friend, but sometimes I wonder what it would feel like to have a loving boyfriend like Addie has. What would it feel like to be someone else’s world? To know that there is someone out there who goes to sleep every night with me on his mind, and who wakes up every morning with me on his mind? And he would be on my mind twenty-four-seven, too.
But like I tell myself a million times, there’s no way I’ll meet my perfect guy here. So I might as well just enjoy my single life. I’ll meet whoever I’m meant to spend my life with at the right time.
But I want to ask Addie if my makeup looks good, so I leave the locker room and search the area. Hmm, they don’t seem to be here. I bet they ran off somewhere to make out.
“Man, Simmons,” someone says from behind me. When I turn around, I find Ryder standing before me. “Looking good, kid.”
I can’t help but gape at him. He looks smokin’ hot in his dance uniform. I mean, he looked really good in his football uniform, but his dance uniform fits himperfectly. Like it was designed just for him. And his hair is just the right amount of messy.
“What are you doing out here?” I blurt.
He raises a brow before chuckling softly. “Waiting for the rest of my team? In case you haven’t noticed, that is a no-guy zone.” He nods toward the door behind me.
I turn my head and realize he’s referring to the girls’ locker room.Well duh, Carly.
With my cheeks blazing, I turn back around. “Right.”
The game should be starting soon, and the team needs to get out there. But the rest of the girls are still fussing over their appearances. I hope they come out soon because I don’t want to come late to the game.
Ryder’s eyes search mine for a few seconds before he steps forward. “You look really beautiful, Carly. I thought you looked cute in the school uniform, but this is a whole new level.”
My cheeks heat up even more and a swarm of butterflies invades my stomach.
“You look beautiful, too.” The words pop out of my mouth before I can stop them. Oh my gosh, why am I so nervous around him all of a sudden? I’m never nervous around him. Is it because my nerves are already wound up because of the performance?
Surprise passes over his face, but I can see he’s really glad—and maybe touched?—to hear that. “Thanks, Carly,” he says. “This doesn’t just happen.” He gestures to himself.
“Oh, please. I bet you hopped into the shower for five minutes, dried yourself off, and then threw on your uniform with barely any effort. Now this?” I gesture to myself. “Thistook effort. The hair and the makeup and the…”
My voice trails off when he takes another step forward. I back away. He continues to move closer until my back hits the wall. Leaning so close that his warmth and scent surround me, he moves his lips to my ear and murmurs, “Well, the effort paid off.”
My body is frozen. I don’t think he’s ever been this close to me before. His soft breath is on my ear, and while nearly every part of me yells at me to push him away because he’sRyder, another part of me wants to pull him closer.
He lifts his hand to tug on one of the ribbons of my scrunchie. “I can tell you’re nervous about the performance, Captain,” he says in such a soft tone that it’s barely audible. “But you shouldn’t be. You’ll kill it out there.”
“You’re too close,” I whisper, keeping my eyes on his broad chest.
