CHAPTER 3 #2
“Dad,” Rian screeches right before she slams into me.
My arms wrap around her instinctively as a smile tips up the corners of my mouth. When I glance up at Brielle, her eyes are big and round as she glances between my daughter and me. I can see the confusion on her face. And the quiet devastation she tries to hide.
I feel it sharply in my chest, but the last thing I will do is regret Rian being part of my life. She’s made me better. She’s given me purpose.
“I thought I heard your voice out here. I’ve been practicing choreography from some videos online,” Rian’s voice is all excitement. I can’t blame her.
The back hallways of a casino aren’t ideal when it comes to places for my daughter to roam freely and play.
But if she wants to take dance classes, I’m interested in her level of commitment, which is why we’re here.
So far, the only thing she’s shown me is how excited she is and there’s no way I could miss the determination on her face.
“Rian,” I begin, my voice hesitant in a way it hasn’t been for years, “this is Brielle.”
My daughter looks at the woman, who is an apparition from my past, like she hadn’t even realized we weren’t alone. I’m not surprised. Rian can get tunnel vision when it comes to what she wants. Right now, all she wants to do is dance.
“Oh,” Rian chirps before giving Brielle a bright smile, “it’s nice to meet you.” Realization flashes across her face and she lights up. “Are you a dancer?”
Brielle’s face softens as she looks at Rian and it does something funny to my chest; something I’m not sure I like. Or maybe I like it too much.
“I am a dancer. I was just hired at Elysium and was getting a tour. I think this was the last stop.”
Brielle glances at me and I can see the questions in her eyes, but I know she won’t ask any of them. Not right now at least. When she glances over her shoulder at the door, I can almost see how tempted she is to run off.
It’s the last thing I want.
“Brielle is more than a dancer here,” my voice is rough and something in my tone has Brielle looking at me with wide eyes while Rian looks confused.
Brielle tries to subtly shake her head, but it’s too late for that. I have no intention of hiding how much this woman meant to me at one point. How much I’m afraid she still means to me.
“I grew up with Brielle,” I inform Rian, “in Seneca Falls. She was always destined for more than small town life.”
“Did you spend time at Sagebrush?” Rian is practically vibrating with excitement as she asks the question.
“Yeah,” Brielle’s voice is soft and strained, “I spent a lot of time there.”
“Brielle, the name is so familiar,” Rian whispers and looks at nothing before I can see the pieces snap into place. Her gaze snaps into focus and she gasps, “Oh, you two were boyfriend and girlfriend, right? I’ve heard Mimi mention you before.”
Brielle’s eyebrows pull together in obvious confusion, so I explain, “My Mom. Rian calls her Mimi.”
“Oh,” Brielle breathes out before plastering a smile on her face which isn’t entirely real, “that makes sense. She must be thrilled to have a granddaughter.”
I can see how much those words cost her. I hate it.
But I also can’t say anything because I won’t apologize for my daughter’s existence.
“I asked Dad for dance classes for my birthday coming up. I’m about to be ten,” Rian’s voice is bright. It’s clear she doesn’t care about the tension surrounding us, which doesn’t surprise me at all. “Do you think you could show me some steps?”
My daughter’s voice is so hopeful that it has my heart pounding in my chest. I know the type of person Brielle used to be, back then the last thing she would do is disappoint a young girl. But maybe she’s not the same person she used to be.
“Anytime,” Brielle agrees with a smile. “I’m always happy to help a fellow dancer.”
Rian’s face falls slightly and she looks bashful, something that isn’t normal for my girl. “I’m not a dancer, not yet.”
Brielle gently touches Rian’s shoulder. Once my girl looks up at her, she smiles. “If you love to move to music, you’re a dancer. It doesn’t matter whether you get the steps right or even learn choreography. You’re a dancer, Rian, the rest is just training.”
“Really?” Rian’s question makes my chest ache.
“Really.”
I let out a small gasp when Rian lunges at Brielle and hugs her fiercely. Brielle’s brown eyes meet mine for a moment before they slide closed and she hugs Rian back.
“It was really nice meeting you, Rian,” Brielle’s voice is rough as she’s released from my daughter’s hold. “I think I need to get going.”
Before I can stop her, Brielle is through the door and the questions in her eyes are left unanswered. For now.
“She was the one, wasn’t she?” Rian sighs and whispers, “Mimi said she was the love of your life.”
I look down at Rian, not at all surprised by her question. I’ve never lied to her, not even to protect her from the circumstances surrounding her birth. Lies like that have a way of hurting more than the truth ever could.
While looking at the door Brielle escaped through one more time, I nod slowly. “She was,” I confirm.
What I don’t say is how sure I am that she’s come back into my life for a reason. Or how I’m sure as fuck not going to let this opportunity pass me by.