Chapter Forty-Four
Lexi
Two months later
The moment has finally come. All of our hard work, blood, sweat, and tears have led to this moment right here. The Edenbury Dance Studio’s performance of The Nutcracker!
There’s a mix of calm and chaos backstage. Calm because the dancers who are not having any kind of crisis are all gathered together, sending good vibes, and chaos because there are a few dancers who find themselves with last-minute problems that has Dani and the rest of the instructors scrambling around to fix them.
The guys and I are trying to keep our nerves in check, with Theo making these jokes that has us rolling. Gael and I are especially nervous, though it seems I’m ten times more nervous than him. Maybe because he always danced flawlessly while I messed up a few times?
“You’re going to do great, Lexi,” Finn reassures me, putting an arm around my shoulder. “Everyone will love you.”
Each of the guys gives me similar encouraging words.
I let out a breath, which somewhat relaxes my racing heart. “Thanks.”
Finn sends me another reassuring smile before walking off to talk to Ruby. I’ve noticed the two of them have been getting quite cozy lately. Whenever I or the guys bring her up, Finn gets embarrassed. I really, really hope things work out between them. Finn deserves to have someone who will love him and make him happy.
Cooper still hasn’t had much luck with girls. He’s bummed about that, especially now that Brock and I are together and because we suspect something might be brewing with Finn and Ruby. But I think he’s matured a little and is trying to be patient. The right person will pop into his life at the right time.
As for the other guys? They would like girlfriends, too, but they’re not obsessed with it. They also hope it’ll happen at the right time. For now, they’re enjoying being single.
Voices from the audience snap me out of my thoughts. It sounds like it’s a full house. I peek behind the curtain and see that it is indeed a full house. Wow, I don’t see a single empty seat. My eyes roam over the people, trying to locate a familiar face, and then I see my mom. She’s sitting next to Aidan and Ava, and right next to them is Skylar and…her mystery man.
Yep, she flew in for my performance and guess who she brought with her? Her boyfriend! His name is Wesley and he’s such a kindhearted person. Sky didn’t want to tell us about him at first because she wasn’t sure if things would work out between them, but after two months, they are officially in love. They’re even holding hands, which is so darn cute. I’m so freakin’ happy for them.
Behind my family are Easton Knight and the rest of the Musketeers. Including Brock and his parents.
Brock is looking through the playbill. I wish he would lift his eyes and notice me, but he’s focusing hard on what he’s reading. Okay, he looks so freakin’ cute concentrating like that. Like, how is that guy mine?
Brock’s mom notices me. She waves and then nudges Brock, who raises his head and gives her a confused look. She nods in my direction, and when Brock sees me, his whole face lights up and he waves. I blow him a kiss.
My mom also spots me and waves both hands, which causes Aidan to notice me and then Ava. It’s not long before all the Musketeers do, too. Seeing how excited they are for the performance raises my anxiety levels, but it also pumps me up.
When I return to the others, I learn that most of the crises have been solved, and we’re ready to start. Oh my gosh, my nerves have just shot through the roof! But I can do this. I want to have fun and enjoy every second of it.
The two hours fly by like the blink of an eye. I was worried I would mess up the numbers I struggled with, but thankfully, I perform each one perfectly. The audience seems to really love the changes we made. Like I said, we’re not veering too much from the original, just a few changes to bring it to a new level.
During the curtain call, the audience cheers and claps and whistles so loudly. When Gael and I take our bows, I swear I can hear my family and all the Musketeers cheer at the top of their lungs. Then Dani and Jasmine give a short speech about how hard all of us have worked and how proud they are, and of course they thank everyone for coming. Then the dancers go backstage to change so we can greet our family and friends.
Mom is the first one to grab me. She hugs me tightly and kisses my cheek, telling me over and over how amazing I was and how proud she is. Her face is damp from her tears. Skylar hugs me, too, and her boyfriend tells me that he’s not usually a fan of ballet, but he very much enjoyed the performance.
Then Aidan and Ava hug me. Soon after Brock and I got together, I told Ava the good news because she was kind of involved in all my drama. She was extremely happy for us. Aidan is happy, too, of course, but he’s also protective of me, which means he had a “talk” with my boyfriend. I guess he still thinks he has to act like Dad sometimes? But he knows Brock well and knows he’ll be good to me.
Speaking of my boyfriend….where is he? There are so many people crowded around waiting to hug me and congratulate me that I don’t see him. I mean, sheesh, with how tall he is, he should stand out in the crowd. After accepting the hugs and kisses from all these amazing people, I finally come face to face with one of the most special people in the world.
With a huge smile, Brock rushes to me and gathers me in his arms, lifting me a few inches off the floor and sweeping his lips across my cheek. “You were so spectacular, Lexi,” he murmurs in my ear. “So beautiful and graceful. You were like an angel on stage.” He cringes. “Was that lame?”
“No,” I say with a laugh. “Thanks so much.” I squeeze my arms around him.
After all the congratulations are done, people start to leave. Brock and I fist bump and slap the guys, who promise to throw a celebratory party tomorrow.
“We’ll see you at the house,” Brock’s parents tell him as they hug him and me. “Drive safely. And amazing job again, Lexi.”
“Thanks.”
“Lexi, do you want to come home with me or catch a lift with Brock?” Mom asks. She’s gotten used to me riding with my boyfriend on his motorcycle, but I know she still worries a little. She trusts Brock wholeheartedly, though.
“Do you have to ask?” I joke.
Mom chuckles. “I’ll see you later.”
She hugs me and Brock before walking off.
“Want to spend some time together before I drive you home?” Brock asks me.
“You have to ask?” I joke again.
We make our way to the parking lot and get on the bike. Brock drives around the town first, since he knows how much I love just riding on his bike. Seriously, I can do this for hours and never get bored. Since it’s December, the weather is pretty chilly, but it doesn’t bother me.
He stops off at a large park and we sit on one of the benches. Brock wraps me in his arms and trails his lips down my neck, sending chills all over my body. “You were really amazing, Lexi,” he whispers. “Sometimes when I look at you, I wonder how such a wonderful person can exist. I know I said this already, but I’ll say it again: You’ve changed my life in so many ways. I’m so lucky to not only have you in my life, but to call you my partner for life.”
I reach up to cup his cheek. “I feel so lucky to call you my partner in life, too. Whatever happens, the good and the bad, I know you and I will be able to overcome it. Because you’re so strong, Brock. You’re so brave, so smart. And you’re so determined.”
He chuckles softly. “Those are adjectives I would use to describe you.”
I laugh, too. “Nuh-uh.”
“Uh-huh.”
He gathers me closer and presses his lips to my cheek. “I love you so much, Lexi. Years ago, I wasn’t sure what my future held. I definitely didn’t think it would be bright. I thought it would be full of darkness. I didn’t know if I would ever be happy. And I never in my wildest dreams thought I would end up with someone as incredible as you.” He shifts me around so he can look into my eyes. “Thanks so much for being the amazing person that you are, Alexis West.”
I place my hands on either side of his face, drawing him closer and looking deeper into his eyes. “For years I yearned and hoped we would be close again. I never gave up on that dream. I guess I’m stubborn,” I add with a laugh. “But I’m glad I didn’t give up. Because I can’t imagine my life without you in it. You have changed my life as well. I’m a better person because of you, Brock Hastings.”
He shakes his head. “I’m a better person because of you.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“Are we going to argue?” I ask.
“I’d rather kiss you.”
“Then what are you waiting for?”
With smiles, we push ourselves even closer to each other, until we practically blend into one, and press our lips together.
We spend quite some time making out. I can’t believe how close I feel to this guy. I know I can share anything with him, that I can be open and honest and he would never judge me. He would love me no matter what. And I would do the same for him.
“I’m so happy, Brock,” I whisper. “I think my heart might burst.”
“Mine, too,” he whispers back. “I can’t wait to grow even closer to you. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”
I kiss him and then snuggle in his arms. “I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you, too, Brock. You’re stuck with me forever.”
He laughs as he buries his face in my hair. “I’ll take it.”