Page 16 of Shattered Rhythm

I sit up straight in my bed, my sheets damp with sweat and my body shaking. I feel bile rising in my throat and quickly make my way to the toilet. After heaving, I flush and lower myself down onto the cold tile floor next to the toilet. Oh Theo, my little hero. He was so brave. I miss him so much, my heart hurts and I can’t breathe. I try to do the grounding exercises my therapist taught me, but it’s no use. I’m spiraling. I need to go outside, get out of this small apartment. I put my hair in a messy bun, and throw on some sweatpants and a hoodie, then get in my car, and drive around aimlessly, listening to music.

I don’t know if it’s surprising or not, but I end up in the parking lot in front of Tanner Fitness and enter the studio. After the nightmare I experienced, I desperately need some good old therapy on the dance floor. It’s two am, so I’m surprised when I open the door and hear music playing. The only lights on are the ones illuminating the main floor, putting me in the shadows. Chris Brown’s “Under the Influence” is playing, and I watch as Chase works on his choreography. He’s not wearing a shirt, just sweatpants, and his body glistens with perspiration.

He’s captivating, and I can’t peel my eyes away from him. While I enjoy all types of dancing, I’ve never had the chance to dance hip-hop specifically. It was always just specific moves we incorporated into our dances, never a complete routine.

Chase’s movements are incredibly cool and match the sensuous tone of the music. He takes a step to the side and brings his arm diagonally down his chest from above his head.

The man is so fucking alluring.

He has the build of a dancer, his physique toned yet lean. I’m having a hard time focusing on his face when his abs and chest are on full display, and the V leading to his crotch is so defined, I just want to lick it. He stumbles and mutters a quick “Fuck” before restarting the song.

I step into the light, causing him to notice me standing there. I’ll give him credit for not being frightened by someone disrupting his practice in the middle of the night. Instead, he merely grins at me and resumes dancing. After watching him complete the choreography two times, I join him on the floor and attempt to follow his steps. He only sticks to the routine for a few moves before stepping to my side and dancing with me, making me forget the choreography altogether.

He gets behind me, but one step to the right, and places his right hand on my left shoulder. His hips sway, and I squat a bit, rolling my hips and moving my ass. I hear him suck in a breath before he twirls away just to come to stand in front of me. He takes my hands to lift them over my head, then he sweeps his fingers down my arms to my sides until his hands rest on my hips. I lower my arms to his shoulders, and we just stand there, me dressed in a thick hoodie and him with a sweaty, naked chest, both of us breathing hard.

I lick my bottom lip, and his eyes follow the movement. He lowers his head, but just to whisper into my ear.

“The floor is all yours. Thanks for the dance, gorgeous.” Then he lets go of me, gets his phone from the stereo, grabs his shirt from the floor to throw over one shoulder, and hops off the stage. I’m still standing there like an idiot, watching him go, when the door to the studio closes with a click.

CHAPTERTHIRTEEN

Liv

Later that day, I’m so exhausted. After I got home from dancing, I couldn’t get back to sleep. I was thinking about Chase and his moves, but I shouldn’t go there. He’s obviously a player, and maybe I should let myself have some fun, but I could fall for him way too easily and that just can’t happen. I’ve only ever been with Liam, and now there are four men that are constantly on my mind. I take a sip of my coffee and focus back on the lecture again. It’s Tuesday, so I have to sit through performance and modern dance before I can go have a nap. At least we made good progress with the choreography assignment yesterday.

We talked about cage dancing at the club on Saturday again, and I’m excited to try it as I’ve never gone clubbing before. It was difficult to go out in Canada when everybody knows who you are. The few times Liam and I went out, we were followed by paparazzi, and I hated that Liam was so overly friendly to all the female fans, while I had to sit there right next to him. Now I’m looking forward to a new experience and a second shopping trip on Friday to get something sexy that will cover my scars…if something like this exists.

Done with classes for the day, I can finally head home for a nap. When I wake up, it’s already four pm, and I’m hungry. An idea comes to my mind, and I smile.I think I’ll take the chance.

Making myself presentable, I put on skinny jeans and a tight, long-sleeved green Henley, then style my long hair in beach waves and put on some makeup, adding black eyeliner and lip gloss. I drive to Tanner Fitness and jump out of the Mini. When I get to the reception area, Chris is on a call, so I wait. She ends it, then looks me up and down.

“Girl, you’re looking fine as hell, even more so than usual. Have something planned?”

I laugh. “Thank you, you’re looking good today as well. Nope, no plans, just some free time.” I smile as River comes out of an office behind the reception desk, and his face lights up when he sees me.

He’s so handsome.

“Hey, Liv, no dancing today?”

“No, I need a break,” I reply. “I thought I’d come over and ask if you and Ryder maybe need one too and have some time to come get something to eat with me?” My heart is beating like crazy, and I feel myself blushing.

“Oh, we’ll just make some time,” he replies, beaming. “Give me a minute. I’ll go fetch Ryder.” He leaves in the direction of the weight room, and I turn my head to Chris as I hear her chuckle.

“What?” I ask.

“Oh, nothing. I’m just happy,” she says.

“Yeah, sure,” I reply, rolling my eyes.

“What’s funny?” Chase comes over to lean on the reception counter right beside me. I look at him and blush, averting my eyes. The memory of his naked, glistening chest is still fresh in my mind.

“Oh, not much. I just witnessed a blushing contest between River and Liv here,” Chris jokes, and I glare at her.

“And what exactly led to that contest?” Chase asks.

“Liv asked River out,” Chris says, and Chase looks at me with wide eyes.

“I did not! I asked him if he and Ryder wanted to grab something to eat since he already asked me twice and I always had other plans,” I explain with a shrug.

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