Page 88 of I Got You

Liv and I stretch and work on combinations, trying to be gentle. I’ve been lacing up my pointe shoes during class, working to increase my flexibility and strengthen my ankle. I need to get it to where I can focus on endurance and stamina, but soreness and swelling are complicating factors. I’m trying to ease into it but running out of time.

The show will highlight the diversity of the dance world, but Danny and I will be mixing hip-hop with pointe like we’ve experimented with in the past. It will be the headlining portion of the performance, although we’ll each have a solo. I’m determined for mine to be a classic ballet routine if only set to more contemporary music to fit the show.

I’m excited to get to work. I know what Danny has planned will be unique, and putting my spin and flair on it will take it to a whole new level. One that I hope will leave the dance world and audience with an appreciation for both the classic and the contemporary.

As I move, I can hear my mom’s voice calling out combinations and picture her standing in front of me demonstrating. I hear her counting and reciting just like she had every time I stood in her studio. It feels so familiar and yet so far away.

I watch Liv trying to follow me, and it’s a mirror image of how I was with my mom. She was a purist when it came to ballet. She was demanding and exceptional, and I wish she were here to help me. I wish she could see how Danny and I combine two contradictory styles and make magic.

Lost in memories and thoughts, I clutch my chest at the massive figure standing behind us, watching. Liv notices I’ve stopped and runs to Shane while my heart tries to find its normal rhythm again.

“Shaney, are you going to do ballet with us? We’re strengthening our core and working on combinations.”

Shane reaches down and scoops her up like she weighs nothing. His bulging arms hang out of a cutoff t-shirt. Somebody help me. Could he be just a little less manly and gruff and…powerful? His eyes rake over me like he’s memorizing each detail, causing my skin to sizzle with life.

Liv puts her hands on his cheeks to get his attention. “Shaney, come do ballet with us. I’ll show you.”

What the hell was that? And all the touching this morning? I’m not complaining, but what…is…going…on?

“How about you come do weights with me?” Shane says, pulling his eyes away from me.

She giggles. “I can’t lift weights. I’m too small. Hank says they’ll fall on me and squash me like a bug.”

“How about this?” He flips her legs over his arm, holds her horizontally, then lowers her and pulls her back up in a bicep curl. “You can help me.”

She giggles as she goes up and down. He’s so good with these kids, and I don’t think he even realizes it. I’ll be damned if it doesn’t make him all the more appealing, and he doesn’t need the extra help.

After a few reps, he releases her, setting her on the ground, and she bounds out of the room, off to her next great idea.

Shane takes a step closer to me. “You ok? You were somewhere else when I came in.”

“Yeah.” I look down and flex my ankle out of habit. “Sometimes I still hear my mom just like she was standing here. Something about slowing things down and going back to the basics. She’s really loud right now.” I shake my head, turning the memories down.

He studies me. “How’s your ankle?”

“It’s ok. Sore after class sometimes, but ok so far. I’m trying to be careful. I know it’ll get a workout when Danny’s here.”

Shane grunts, making me smile. “Ok if I work out?”

“Yeah, I’m almost done. I have stuff to do in the kitchen.” I stretch as he fiddles with his earbuds and phone. There’s no way I’m staying while he works out. Nopity nope. My mind is already too liberal with its thoughts of Shane and doesn’t need any more material to work with.

“Hey.” I stop in the doorway before heading out. “I forgot to tell you. We play bingo each Thanksgiving. It’s tradition, so don’t work out too hard. You’ll need your strength to push those markers around.”

“Bingo?” He questions like it’s offensive.

I put my hands on my hips. “Grizz, are you new? This isn’t just any old bingo. You’re about to be enlightened on the fascinating world of what I like to call Hostage and Negotiation.”

He looks at me from under his eyelashes. “Sounds riveting.”

I push my lips to one side. “You’ve no idea. Just wait, big guy. I’m pretty certain you’ll be very invested.”

“Firefly, what makes you think you have anything I want?”

Oh boy. That look a few minutes ago told me a lot about what he wants. Did he just declare war? I think he did.

Hot flashes of our almost kiss, the soft touches this morning, and the intense perusal he just took, pierce my mind like three giant darts hitting their target. This joker thinks I don’t know exactly what he wants. It’s the same thing I want.

The difference is I will not break. My will and resolve to not get hurt is far stronger than any amount of intoxicating manly smell, gentle caress, or downright sexy swagger that exudes from him like water from a geyser.

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