Chapter Ten
Lexi
The Edenbury Dance Studio feels like a second home. Not only because I’ve spent so much of my life here, but because it gave me something positive to focus on when life was hard. Since we didn’t have a lot of money years ago, I couldn’t participate in a lot of school activities, like trips. Even though I always told Mom and Aidan that I totally understood, it still stung that I had to miss out. But once Aidan signed me up for dance class, my life completely changed. I’ll forever be grateful to Dani and Easton.
Once Finn parks the van in the parking lot, we get out of the car and the guys head inside. I hang back for a bit, straining my ears for the sound of a motorcycle. Brock told us that he’ll meet us here, but it doesn’t look like he made it yet. I hope he didn’t get lost. I’m sure he knows the address, though—he used to hang out here with us all the time. Well, technically, he’d be reading a book while we had our classes, but I know he always took breaks to watch us.
Maybe Brock changed his mind and decided not to hang out with us?
Not wanting to be late for my class, I walk into the studio and make my way to Studio B, where most of the other dancers are already gathered and are stretching. I join them, forcing my eyes not to trek to the door every thirty seconds. Brock will come if he wants to come.
“Good afternoon, my lovely dancers,” Dani announces as she walks inside with another instructor, Jasmine. She gathers her gorgeous dark wavy hair into a ponytail and smiles warmly at us. “I’m so happy to see all your beautiful faces again. Did you guys have a good summer? I heard Jasmine and Zuri put together an amazing summer program for you. I wish I could have been here, but there was some business I had to do with Easton.”
Jasmine waves her hand. “It’s okay. I think the students had a great time. Right, guys?”
We all cheer that we did. Nate, Dean, and Cooper don’t take dance classes during the summer because they either go to camp or go on vacation with their families, but the rest of the students had a wonderful time.
“Can we discuss The Nutcracker?” Ruby asks.
Dani chuckles. “Who said we’re doing The Nutcracker?”
We all give her a who-are-you-kidding face.
She chuckles again. “Okay, busted. I’d like to get started on it right away because Jasmine and I have a whole new vision planned for this ballet. Since most of you have done The Nutcracker a few times already, we want to try something a little different this year. I think you kids are going to love it and we’re totally going to wow the audience. It’s going to be amazing!”
She and Jasmine instruct us to perform various dance numbers to assess which role we’ll have in the ballet. Even though they know our skills by heart because we’ve been with them for years, they want to give everyone a fair shot.
“Nice, Gael,” Jasmine says as she passes by him. “Excellent form.”
I throw him a smile. He’s one of the best dancers in the class and will definitely be cast as The Nutcracker.
As Dani passes by me, she adjusts my arm and then pats my back, giving me a sweet smile. I love Dani so, so much. She’s such an inspiration. She struggled a lot in dance class when she was my age because she doesn’t have the best coordination, but she pushed past her obstacles and insecurities and became one of the best dancers in her class. And then she went on to dance on Broadway! And even though she married the richest guy in Edenbury, she never lost who she is or forgot where she came from—a poor family, just like mine. Easton was always a great guy, but he’s even better because he married her.
And of course Jasmine and the other instructors are awesome, too. Jasmine was actually Dani’s teacher. How wild is that? She’s getting a bit on the older side, but she vows to dance as long as she can.
“Great, everyone!” Dani announces. “Keep going. You’re all doing amazing. Cooper, watch your form…nice. Just a bit longer and then I want to pair you guys off—” Her eyes widen and she releases a small shriek. In a flash, she’s at the door and hugging the living heck out of the person who just walked in.
Brock.
“Oh my gosh, Brock!” She squeezes him so tight, his face turns red. “I didn’t think I’d see you so soon! Easton and I wanted to invite you and your family for dinner later this week, but oh my gosh, you’re here!” She steps back and takes him in. “How the heck did you get so tall? I’ve seen you in videos and photos, but darn it, Brock, you’re taller than your dad.”
Brock laughs as he pushes his bangs out of his eyes. “Everyone keeps saying that. Is it a bad thing?”
“Of course not, you handsome devil. Oh gosh, I can’t believe how grown up you are. You’re like a man.”
“Uh…”
“And you look just like Zane!” Her brows furrow as she tucks her fingers under her chin and studies him. “Actually, I see a lot of Bailey in you. But you’re also so like Zane…” She shakes her head. “Darn, I can’t decide.”
“Thanks…I think.”
“And check out these bangs.” She pushes them to and fro with another laugh. “You trying to melt all the girls’ hearts?”
“Um…not really…”
Brock looks both embarrassed and not so surprised by Dani fawning over him. She, Mrs. Hastings, and their friends from high school are a super-tight group, like a family. And since Mrs. Hastings’s husband’s younger brother is Brock’s dad, he and Zoey became part of the family, too. They’re all like second moms and dads to him.
When Brock turns his head toward the dancers and finds us all watching them, he laughs lightly and plays with his bangs again.
Dani follows his gaze and also laughs. “Sorry. I was just so happy and excited to see you. Did you come to visit or…?”
“My friends wanted me to hang out here and watch them dance.”
“Wonderful. We love having an audience. You can sit on one of those chairs.” She points to the ones against the wall. “Maybe you’ll consider joining dance class? It’s never too late.”
Brock shakes his head. “Thanks for the offer, but I’m good.”
She rubs his arm. “The offer always stands, okay?” She focuses back on the dancers and claps. “Distraction over, guys! Sorry about that. A few more minutes and then I want to pair you guys up.”
Brock waves at each of us before plopping down on a chair with his paperback. I focus on my dance moves because I really want to get a big role in the ballet, but my heart rate picks up at the thought that Brock is here. That he may be watching me dance. Yeah, he did that all the time when we were kids, but I don’t know. It feels different now. Maybe because I…want him to watch me?
When I turn my head to take a peek, I find his eyes on me. But they widen and he quickly focuses on his book. My whole face and neck heat up.
When I glance at him a few minutes later, he’s reading his book.
“Okay, partners now!” Jasmine announces. “Let’s be mature and pick our own partners, okay?”
At once, all of my friends surround me, each of them demanding to pair up with me. I should be used to this by now because this happens like all the time, but ugh, why do I always have to choose between them?
“You partnered up with her last time,” Nate says to Finn.
“No I didn’t! That was Coop.”
“You kidding? I haven’t been paired with her in ages.”
“Liar,” Theo says. “We even got it on video.”
“I’m the best dancer here,” Gael says. “It makes sense for her to be my partner.”
“Sure.” Finn rolls his eyes. “She and I have the best chemistry.”
The guys burst out laughing. “You and Lexi have the best chemistry? What a joke!” Theo says.
Finn scowls. “We do so.”
“You guys are acting like you’re five,” Dean complains. “Dani said to be mature about this.”
“You really are acting like five-year-olds,” I mutter. “Must we do this every freakin’ time? I can’t split myself into six.”
As much as I love these guys, they can be so immature sometimes.
When I look at Brock, I find him watching us curiously.
“You pick, Lexi,” Nate says. “We don’t want to fight over you like you’re a prize.”
“I am a prize,” I joke with a wink. Then I sigh. “Why am I always put in this position? You know I love you all the same and hate having to choose.”
“What is going on over there?” Dani calls at us.
“Shoot,” Cooper mutters. “Lexi, just pick someone.”
“Someone with the most talent.” Gael executes a perfect dance move.
“Sold,” I say.
“Sweet! Let’s go.” He takes my hand and places us in position.
With frowns, the rest of the guys search for other dance partners. I may be imagining things—probably not—but Finn looks really betrayed. Was he hoping I would pick him because of what he told me on Sunday? I still haven’t had a chance to make sense of it. I’ve been so distracted with Brock and everything. Honestly, the thought of thinking about it causes me stress. I don’t want to deal with it right now…or anytime soon.
One by one, the pairs perform dance sequences from The Nutcracker in front of Dani and Jasmine. Gael is really such an amazing dancer, and he makes my skill soar one thousand percent. Maybe I do have a shot at Clara?
“You rock,” I say as he lowers me.
“Tell me something I don’t know,” he jokes.
“Less talking, more dancing,” Jasmine instructs Gael and me.
Whoops.
I feel all eyes on us as we dance. When I take another peek at Brock, I find his gaze pasted on Gael and me. Well, more on me. There’s something in his eyes…I’m not sure what. Maybe awe? Fascination? I’m not the best dancer, so I don’t know why he would look at me like that. Then again, it has been four years, and I’m not the same dancer I was at twelve.
When he realizes I’ve caught him watching, he offers me a sweet, encouraging smile. I momentarily lose focus and almost step on Gael’s toes, but luckily, I catch myself in time.
“Great job, Lexi and Gael!” Dani says. “Let’s have Dean and Ruby now.”
Gael and I hug. “Awesome job,” I tell him. “You were incredible.”
“Thanks. You were amazing, too.”
“Thanks.”
I make my way to the water cooler for a drink. While I gulp it down, I watch Dean and Ruby do their thing. Dean is a pretty good dancer, but Ruby completely outshines him. Yeah, she’s Clara. One million percent. The rest of us girls don’t stand a chance.
Brock gets up and places his paperback on his chair. He then makes his way over to the water cooler. “Hey,” he says.
“Hi. You thirsty?”
“What? Oh. Yeah.” He steps up to the cooler and gets himself a cup of water.
We stand side by side drinking and watching the dancers.
“They’re really good,” he says.
“Right? Ruby has Clara in the bag. I’m not jealous—she totally deserves it. And I know she hopes to get a scholarship to a performing arts school.”
“What? No, I said you’re really good. I mean, yeah, they’re really good, too, but I meant you.”
I blink at him. Wait, I heard him wrong?
He offers me another one of his sweet smiles that has my heart fluttering. “I was complimenting you, Lexi.”
I just stare at him, not sure what to say. It feels like my heart thumps in my head.
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you dance,” he continues. “You’re always so…what’s the right word? Majestic when you dance.”
I continue gaping at him. He thinks I’m majestic?
“But I’m not the best,” I say.
“You don’t have to be the best to be amazing,” he says. “Although, I definitely think you’re one of the best.”
My whole body grows warm and a million jumbled thoughts race in my head. Even if I wanted to say something, I can’t.
“I’m really glad you didn’t give it up.” He tosses his cup into the nearby bin, then gives me another one of those smiles. “I can picture you dancing on the boat as you sail out to sea to work with the ocean animals. I bet you’ll never stop dancing your whole life.”
“I…uh…thanks,” I stammer, my face on fire.
He reaches into his pocket for his phone and checks the time. “I need to head home for my appointment with my therapist. I’ll see you tomorrow, Lexi.”
Did he always say my name so softly?
“Yeah…um, good night.”
He waves goodbye to me, the rest of the gang, and Dani and Jasmine, grabs his book and backpack, and leaves the room.
I stare at the door he walked through, more jumbled thoughts stuffing my brain. Did he really say he thinks I’m majestic when I dance?
“Lexi, are you okay or do you need a longer break?” Jasmine asks me.
I quickly shake my head and toss away my cup. “Coming.”