Page 79 of I Got You

“Options?” Cole huffs. “There’s only one option. You need to tell them.”

“Cole,” Maggie warns, and I don’t miss that something passes between them. He rubs his face. “Listen, I’ll call Ben tomorrow and see what he says. I will do anything to keep her with us. Anything. But I need to know where we’re at right now. Ok?”

Cole nods. “Ok.”

She shifts in her seat. “I also wanted to tell you both that I’ve decided to take Danny up on his offer if he can agree to rehearse here. It’s the only way it’ll work.”

Cole shakes his head. “Maggie, this is not the time to have him worming his way into your head again.”

“He’s not going to worm his way anywhere.” I jump in without thinking about it. Maggie's eyes dart to mine, and I might see the slightest hint of a smile. “I think you should definitely do this.”

Cole looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. I have. I definitely have, but I want this for her.

“Thanks,” Maggie says. “I haven’t told him yet. It may not even work. He’ll have to make a lot of concessions, and he likes things his way,” she shrugs.

“Do you really think this is the best time for this?” Cole places his hands on his hips. The young, calm, cool, and collected, looking like he’s about to lose his shit.

“I think it’s the best time.” Her eyes meet mine. “I’m in the mood to kick a little ass.”

I see the fierce flicker of determination in her eyes. There she is. My little Firefly.

Cole throws his head back and groans. “I need a minute. I don’t know how you can be so calm about this.”

“I’m not,” she says. “I freaked out. Panicked. Cried.” She looks at me on the last one, and I understand the tears that soaked my t-shirt. “All I can do right now is continue to show these kids what it means to stand up and fight. Part of that is fighting for what we want. You two do it on the field. I’m going to do it on stage.” She pauses. “Then I’ll do it in the courtroom if I have to.”

Cole lets out a breath. “If Danny even….”

I cut him off. “I’ve got it. I’m sure Mr. Hip Hop wants to continue to have use of his legs.”

“I’ve gotta go.” He waves a hand. “This is…a lot.”

Maggie gives him a hug and he slaps my hand before heading inside. Still standing, she turns to face me.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” I ask.

She fiddles with her shirt. “I couldn’t.”

I actually understand that. I stand, stepping toward her, and without thinking about it, I wrap her in a hug. “I’m proud of you.” She hugs me tightly, resting her head against my chest, all my tension and agitation disappearing. “This ass you're going to kick, you’re not going to do it alone.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

Chapter 29

MAGGIE

ME: I have conditions.

DANNY: Name it.

ME: This is about dance only, or I’m out.

DANNY: Done.

ME: We rehearse on my turf. I only have to be in NY a couple days before the show.

DANNY: Hmmm. How does that work with the rest of the dancers?

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