Chapter Seventeen
Nico
Standing under the lights, waiting for the announcement of the winner, was always the worst part of being in any kind of final or Christmas special. Especially when I knew my partner fucking deserved that win, and I couldn’t do anything but pray the people in the audience felt the same.
Toby’s hand was clutching mine, his nails digging into my skin as we waited.
I fucking hated the way they always drew this moment out and added ominous music, like we were waiting to be executed or some shit. It was a bloody TV dance show. It didn’t need this much build of tension.
Then the music dropped out for a split second as a spotlight fell on us, and Chelsea’s voice rang out. “Toby and Nico!”
Toby froze, his mouth falling open as the band began to play and sparkling confetti fell from the rafters. And I was too busy watching him to process what Chelsea had just said.
Then realisation kicked in and I pulled him into an enormous hug. “We did it! You did it!”
“Oh my God, we won? We won!” Toby still looked disbelieving as I pulled him forward to pick up the enormous sparkling trophy as more confetti rained down on us.
The whole studio was on its feet and the noise was almost deafening, the cheering and whistling making it feel like we’d won a world championship or something.
But I wasn’t focused on any of that. I was watching Toby and wishing I could kiss him.
I’d never been the sort of guy who was into public displays of affection, they always felt weird and forced to me, but all I wanted in that moment was to pull him into my arms and press endless kisses to his perfect mouth.
I wanted him to know exactly how I felt, which was a little difficult because I didn’t even know what my feelings were.
I just knew I couldn’t let him go after this.
Tonight might be the end of our Come Dancing With Me journey, but I didn’t want it to be the end of whatever this was between us.
Toby put his hand on the trophy and looked at me expectantly, waiting for me to get my fucking act together instead of staring at him.
I put my hand out and the pair of us lifted it into the air together as everyone cheered.
Then I handed it to him and scooped him up into my arms, lifting him onto my shoulder.
It was a trick I hadn’t done in a while and it was a little more difficult than usual because of Toby’s height, but I made it work. And it was worth it to hear him laughing.
Everyone crowded around us to celebrate and then we had to get back into position to finish the final bit of the show, wishing the audience at home a merry Christmas.
Then I got to lead Toby onto the floor for a little celebratory dance, pulling him into hold so we could sway gently.
I spun him out and then back into my arms, my face almost aching from smiling so much.
Normally, I’d have said my behaviour was almost sickening, but tonight I didn’t give a shit.
I was so fucking proud of Toby and I wanted everyone to know it.
As soon as the cameras cut off, everyone came over again to congratulate us, including the judges. They were very complimentary for a change, and I wondered what had come over them. Although it was nice to know that they thought I’d done a good job with the choreography.
I could see Mo hovering by the side of the floor along with Phoenix and Nasir, who had their charges in a tight group.
They looked more worried than the men behind them, who were happily chatting to everyone around them, and Mrs N looked like she was having the time of her life.
I guessed working for an international pop star meant you were pretty unfazed when it came to most other things.
Toby and I walked over to them, and he was immediately dragged into hugs and a group selfie, which I knew the producers would be having kittens over. I doubted they’d say anything, though. I wouldn’t fancy telling someone like Kane he had to delete the photo.
“Nico,” Toby said, putting out his hand to me, and I realised I’d been stood a little way away, staring into space. “Come here.”
“Sorry, I’m here.”
He beamed at me as he squeezed my hand and then introduced me to everyone. “Nico, this is Kane, Dai, Haru, and Mrs Nolan. Everyone, this is the wonderful Nico.”
“So you’re the poor bastard who’s had to put up with him for a month,” Dai said, winking as he stepped forward to pull me into a hug. “How’re your toes?”
“Don’t be a dick. I’m sure Toby has been lovely to work with,” Kane said, holding out his hand to shake mine as Dai released me.
And I tried really hard to keep my face schooled, because Kane was seriously sexy and I didn’t want to be that guy who melted down on him.
Plus I was trying not to say, Hey, I’ve seen your husband naked. A lot. And I really like his work.
I didn’t know if that would be a compliment.
“He has,” I said. “And I’m not just saying that because it’s my job and he brought me biscuits every day.” I turned to Mrs Nolan and smiled. “Thank you so much for those by the way. They were amazing.”
“You’re welcome,” she said, offering me another hug. “Thank you for the chocolates. That was very sweet of you.”
“Thank you for feeding me. It was very appreciated.”
“It’s not a problem at all. It was a nice excuse to experiment with a few things.”
“What are you doing after this?” Haru asked as he also shook my hand, giving me a smile so beautiful I could immediately understand why Megan was a bit obsessed with him.
She was going to be so mad that she hadn’t been able to make the taping because she’d had classes to teach.
If we were going out, I’d have to see if she could come too.
“Not much,” I said, glancing over at Toby, who was animatedly chatting to Mrs Nolan. “At least, I don’t think so.”
“Excellent,” Haru said. “You and Toby can go and get cleaned up and then we can all go out for dinner and drinks.”
“Oh, I—”
“Say yes,” Dai said, leaning over to me and whispering conspiratorially. “He’s dying to treat everyone.”
“I’m not paying for yours,” Haru said. “Everyone else, but not yours.”
“Dickhead,” Dai said but there was almost a fondness to it, and for a moment I wondered if there was more going on there than just friendship. But it wasn’t my place to ask.
“Sure, that would be lovely. But, er, would it be weird… could I maybe invite someone? It can just be for the drinks.” I felt fucking awful for asking, but I wanted Megan to be here for this.
We celebrated everything together and it felt wrong to do this without her.
“It’s my dance partner, Megan. She had to teach this afternoon but—”
“Of course, the more the merrier,” Haru said. “Can you give Phoenix her details and they can arrange for her to meet us there?”
“No worries,” I said, wondering how on earth I was going to explain this to Megan so she didn’t think I was making it up.
“What’re we doing?” Toby asked, sliding in between Dai and me and casually putting his hand around my waist. It felt like it belonged there.
“We’re all going out for dinner and drinks,” Haru said. “No arguments! We’re celebrating. You just need to go and get changed.”
“But I don’t have anything to wear out for dinner,” Toby said. “I literally turned up here in joggers and a jumper. And I stink!”
That was a point. I didn’t have anything either. And I also really needed to shower.
Haru raised an eyebrow like we weren’t giving him enough credit.
“I thought of that. You and Nico will go back to your house, shower and change—and before you say Nico has nothing to wear, I’ve got some clothes in the car he can try.
I wasn’t sure of sizes, so I grabbed options.
Then Mo will bring you and Nico to the restaurant for about half eight.
Which gives you about an hour and a half. Should be plenty of time.”
I stared because surely this couldn’t be happening. It was almost like being whisked away by a fairy godfather or some shit.
Part of me wanted to argue because this wasn’t the sort of thing that ever happened to me and there was an uncomfortable bubbling in my stomach, but I didn’t want to be rude and turn Haru down. Not unless Toby did it first.
“Fine,” Toby said with an exasperated sigh. “But don’t rush me. I’m tired. We’ll get there when we’re ready.”
“Don’t be too late, though,” Dai said. He glanced between Toby and me for a second, a tiny smile twisting the corner of his lip. My chest lurched and I wondered if he’d figured us out.
But that wasn’t my problem to deal with. Not tonight anyway.
“We won’t be,” Toby said. “But that means you do have to let us go so we can say goodbye to everyone and get our stuff.”
“No worries, I’ll ask Phoenix to help me put the stuff for Nico in your car,” Haru said. “Anything that doesn’t fit, just put to one side and we can sort out returns later.”
“Thank you,” I said as Toby hooked his arm through mine and began to lead me across the floor to say our goodbyes. I didn’t know how fast we’d actually be able to get out of here, but I’d gotten the art of packing up down to a fine art over the years.
I hadn’t expected Haru to want to take us out to celebrate, but I’d just decided to roll with it. After all, it meant I got to spend more time with Toby and that was what I really wanted.
“I’m sorry about this,” Toby said as we finally made our way backstage and headed towards his dressing room with Mo in tow. “If you don’t want to go, we don’t have to. I can say I’m very tired and we’ll catch up with them another night.”
“It’s fine, seriously. And you deserve to celebrate, sweetheart. You did so well.”
“So did you. I think you’re the one we should really be celebrating because you did all the work.”
“We’ll call it a sixty-forty split,” I said with a laugh, because I wasn’t one to downplay my achievements or the work I’d put in.
“Hmm, I’d say seventy-thirty.”
“If you insist.”
“I do.” He grinned as he came to a stop, glancing around the corridor. Then he pulled me into a tight hug, squeezing my waist as he buried his head in my shoulder. “Thank you, Nico. I really couldn’t have done this without you.”
“You’re welcome, sweetheart,” I said, wrapping my arms around him and pressing the tiniest kiss to the side of his head.
“You’ll still come back to mine after dinner, won’t you?”
“Of course.”
“Good, because I don’t think we’ll have much time for celebrating before then.” He grinned wickedly and added quietly, “Although maybe you could join me in the shower? I might need some help getting clean.”
I smirked. “Really?”
“Yes, I’m very tired.”
I chuckled and shook my head as I began to lead him back towards his dressing room. “You’re trouble, did you know that?”
“Yes, but so are you. Nobody has any right to look as sexy as you do.”
“Better get your stuff together quickly then,” I said as we reached his door. “If you want that shower.”
“I’ll meet you at the car in ten,” he said, opening the door with a shove and charging through.
Somehow, I didn’t think we’d be on time for dinner.