Page 25 of Lucky Dance Date
No, it was better to back out now. I’d pay Sean and Scott for their help from the proceeds, and pay Dom’s uncle the rental rate for the barn. Then I’d use the rest of the proceeds to pay the contract-termination fee for the studio.
Some people would be mad, but it would all land on me and not on anybody else.
It was the only way I could protect everybody.
I started at the sound of the door opening. Then I rubbed my eyes.
José… José was there, standing in the studio door.
“Wes…” he said softly.
“Go away,” I cried.
“Can’t,” he replied. “I’ve got the cash from the door. I’m not leaving until I see it safely in your hands.”
“It’s not like it matters,” I sniffled. “The dance studio will never happen.”
“Why not?”
“You know why.”
He walked over and took a seat next to me. “You can’t let them control you any longer.”
“They’ll just hurt others to get at me—again.”
“That’s what they want, for you to be isolated.”
“I don’t know if I have the strength to fight it any longer.”
“Why did you run?”
“I realized that this is that same performance all over again. Everybody else is supporting me and cheering me on. It’s happiness that I’m trying to create for myself, and that’s unacceptable. As soon as they learn about it, they’ll do everything in their power to destroy it.”
José reached over and tugged me into his arms.
I slumped against him, breathing his scent and wishing I could have him forever.
Everything I wanted was there: my alpha, and my future.
It was everything my parents despised.
“Just don’t let them,” José murmured, pressing kisses to my hair.
“Huh?”
“Don’t let them destroy your happiness.”
“I don’t know how.”
“Then ask for help. You’re not alone Wes. Look at all the people there tonight who were there for you. Sean and Scott, even that alpha friend of yours. Your fliers made it clear that the funds from the dance were going to go to opening your studio. Sure, a bunch of people were just looking for some safe fun. But how many showed up tonight because of you; because they know what an asset you are to the community?”
“I don’t know.”
“I bet it’s more than you think.”
I sniffled.
“Don’t let them win, Wes. Not this time.”
