Page 37 of Just a Little White Lie

I, the clueless wonder, got hit sideways when it all came out, but the media did its best to crucify me. Yolanda jumped all over that, and soon I was the bad guy, out to tarnish her name and ruin a show I couldn’t win.

The execs knew the truth, and it finally all came clear that I was an innocent victim, but the damage had been done.

I was asked to quietly leave the show, so I came back to New Zealand, ready to bury my head in the sand and put this whole thing behind me.

I can’t believe Lauren doesn’t know about it.

I’m relieved.

I’m…

I sigh, staring at the water with a heavy frown. She wants me to help her with dancing. She wants me to put myself out there again. To choreograph, to perform in front of these students, and…

I can’t do it.

It’s still too soon. Everything’s so raw.

How do I put myself out there again?

Yeah, sure, there’d be no cameras this time, no publicity, but… I don’t know.

I just—

Dancing was everything to me, and I got burned to a crisp.

Maybe I’m being a jackass.

Maybe it’s plain old fear.

But I couldn’t say yes when she asked for my help.

And I can’t tell her my story either.

It’s so freaking embarrassing. I didn’t do anything wrong, but how could I not have known what Yolanda was up to? I was so accommodating, wanting to be the perfect dance partner and getting roped into that humiliating mess without batting an eyelid.

And then the show just dropped me. They knew I hadn’t been part of the cheating, but they allowed the press to swarm me, and they forced me out, which only made me look guilty.

I can’t dance right now.

I can’t—

With a firm headshake, I continue my walk as the night sky darkens.

I guess I’ll just have to keep letting Lauren down.

I suppose it’s a good thing. I’m not really meant to like her anyway, and spending time watching her body move to music? Yeah, that would slay me.

This is all for the best.

She’ll be fine.

She’s a strong woman, and she can handle this.

I went into her room this afternoon to try and make amends by thanking her for that note. But I inevitably screwed it up by rejecting her request.

So, see, fate is just looking after me.

Fate is stopping Lauren from seeing my good side.

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