CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
ELISE
“YOU NEED TO have his babies right now and give him nothing less than a soccer team!” Kelsey exclaimed.
“Stop,” I giggled, as I picked up my Stanley cup so I could take a sip of water.
I just finished recapping for her my trip back home, including Nathan’s romantic surprise of renting out Disney World for me.
I still can’t believe he did that. No one has ever done something as sweet and thoughtful for me before.
“I expect this behavior out of Alessia.”
Kelsey, currently disguised as Rhodium, and I were rehearsing for an award show performance of her latest single, which was about being a man’s inspiration in the bedroom. I’d stopped being surprised by how easily Kelsey Henderson slipped into Rhodium.
One minute she was baking oatmeal cookies in Hello Kitty pajama shorts, and the next she was working a crowd, draped across the lap of a music legend.
“I had to channel my inner Alessia after hearing what you just said.” Kelsey joked. “Who knew Nathan Edge was a romantic?”
Definitely not me. I thought for sure the man didn’t have a romantic bone in his body, but I was never more glad to be wrong.
“No wonder you said I love you,” Kelsey continued. “I’d say I love you too if a guy rented out the happiest place on Earth for me.”
It was so much more than just the big gesture of Disney World and more about the ones that came before. I knew I was falling in love with Nathan when we spent the day in Colmar but our weekend in Florida solidified it.
“He didn’t say it back though,” I frowned just a little. I didn't know if he’d say it back, but I hoped he would.
Kelsey’s face softened. “He will. Anyone with eyes can see that man is in love with you,” She reassured me.
I relaxed my shoulders, letting her words wash over me for a second before I clapped my hands, forcing myself to go back into choreographer mode.
“Alright. Enough about my love life,” I said. “Run it back.”
I leaned back against the mirrored wall, arms crossed as I watched Kelsey run the sequence on her own. She had the steps down, but something was off. Her dancing was a little stiff, like she was afraid the floor might crack if she went all in.
“Stop,” I called, lifting a hand before she could finish. The music cut, her chest heaving as she looked over at me.
“You’re clean,” I said, pushing off the wall to stand up, “but you’re dancing like you’re auditioning for a recital, not owning a stage with thousands of people screaming your name.”
Her brows knit. “I thought I hit it.”
“You did,” I told her, walking into the center.
“But this isn’t about being perfect. It’s about making them feel you.
” I slipped into the move, showing her how my shoulders rolled deeper, how I sank into the beat instead of skimming across it.
“See the difference? You’re skating on the surface.
You need to let the music live in your body, not just in your head. ”
She chewed on her lip, watching every detail. “So…commit more?”
“Exactly.” I grinned. “Go harder. Get a little ugly with it.”
The track started again, and she went for it. This time her body hit the beat sharp, then melted with control, her face finally alive with it. By the end of the sequence, I couldn’t help but clap and cheer.
A grin tugged at my lips. “There. Do you feel that? That’s the sweet spot.”
Her answering smile was sheepish but bright, and my chest swelled with pride.
This was why I loved it. The teaching, the breakthroughs, watching someone discover they could move like the music lived inside them.
I opened my mouth to add on, but heavy footsteps cut me off.
We both turned in time to see Titan. Even though I’d seen him in person many times before, the sight of him still stole my breath.
He was six feet of lean muscle, warm brown skin, and tattoos snaking across his arms and neck.
He wore a casual designer tee that somehow made him look effortless.
His dark eyes met mine, and for a moment, the world narrowed until it was just him. I couldn’t stop staring.
“I’m sorry ladies, I didn’t mean to interrupt.” Titan said, flashing a smile that made him go from attractive to Please-Father-My-Children.
“Hey, Titan.” Kelsey greeted the singer casually, her own smile widening as he pulled her into a friendly hug before he turned his attention to me.
“You must be Elise.”
I couldn’t help but be surprised, because despite being an Edge Record artist, Titan didn’t make frequent visits to the office, and when he did, our encounters were brief with Nathan only referring to me as his assistant, never by my first name.
This was the first time that we were actually interacting with each other without work or Nathan in between us.
“I am?” Nope. There shouldn’t be a question mark behind that Elise. I cleared my throat. “I mean, I am.”
Titan chuckled in response before holding out his hand for me to shake. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Titan.”
“No introduction needed. I’m a big fan.”
“Appreciate that.” His smile was down right sinful.
“What brings you by? Are you rehearsing for something special?” Kelsey asked.
“I’m actually here to see her,” He pointed at me.
“Me?” I raised my brow. All thoughts of romantic trips to Disney and rehearsals with pop stars flew from my mind.
“Yes,” His smile spread further and there was now a glint in his eyes. “I wanted to personally come down to tell you the news,” Titan paused and I held my breath for his next words. “Congratulations Elise, you’re going on tour with me this Fall.”
“What?”
“Welcome to the In My Head Tour.” Titan grinned.
“Are you serious?” My eyes bounced between my best friend and the mega superstar, wondering if somehow they had gotten together and this was a prank.
“I’m serious. My choreographer, Zane, showed me your audition tape and I have to admit it’s been a while since I've seen someone as talented as you. The kind of passion and presence you have is something I definitely want and need as a part of my team.” Titan praised.
“So what do you say Elise, you ready to make history together?”
* * *
“I HAVE GOOD NEWS.” I announced the moment Nathan appeared on the other side of the elevator.
“Hello to you too.” He chuckled, allowing both dimples to appear, nearly rendering me speechless at the sight.
I practically raced over to his place in my excitement to tell him about the offer I got.
I had to force myself to remain focused and professional for the remainder of rehearsal, which was extremely hard considering all I wanted to do was go home and tell Nathan the good news, but I shoved my excitement down for the next three hours.
Whether she was Kelsey or Rhodium, my best-friend got nothing but the best out of me. And rehearsal went well; Kelsey nailed the choreography with ease and I couldn’t wait until the world saw her dominate the stage like she always did.
But once rehearsals were over, I took a shower at home and changed into my favorite maxi dress before driving to Nathan’s so I could tell him the good news.
I played his reaction in my head at least a dozen times on the drive over. I’d tell him that I was officially one of Titan’s back up dancers, and Nathan would be so proud and we’d make love for the rest of the night. I couldn’t think of a better way to end the day.
“Sorry,” I giggled as I stepped off and wrapped my arms around his neck. “I needed to get the words out before you distracted me.”
“And how exactly would I distract you, Cupcake?” Nathan arched one of his thick brows at me.
“You greet me in grey sweatpants. That's the universal sign for distraction.” I told him.
Nathan laughed. “Seems to me like I’ve found your weakness.”
“Just added to the growing list.” I brushed my lips against his, sighing blissfully when I felt his hands park on my backside. “Good news first then more of this.” I told him before we could get carried away.
“What’s the good news?” Nathan asked as he led me to the living room. “Have you decided to walk around naked on days ending with the letter Y?”
I wish I could say that was the first time he broached that idea, but it wasn’t.
“No,” I giggled.
“Damn.” He pretended to frown. “I give up. What is it?”
“Titan just personally informed me that I am now one of his backup dancers! I got it! I’m going on tour with Titan!” I squealed.
Nathan’s expression shifted immediately. The warmth in his eyes disappeared as a tense silence filled the room. His mouth pulled into a tight line, and his brow furrowed slightly as he glanced away for a moment, as if processing the news.
I wasn’t expecting Nathan to jump up and down and do a happy dance with me like Kelsey did, but I also didn’t expect the dark scowl on his face either.
“That’s great. I’m happy for you.” Nathan replied but his scowl was enough to drop the temperature in the room to icy temperatures.
“What’s the problem? He’s literally one of your top two highest-grossing artists.” I reminded him.
“He’s also the biggest playboy in the industry. You could fill a stadium with the amount of people he’s slept with.”
“That has nothing to do with me.” I argued. Who Titan drops his pants for is none of my concern. I’m only there to dance. “This is the opportunity I’ve waited my whole life for Nathan.”
“I know. But excuse me for not jumping with joy at the thought of my girlfriend practically dry-humping one of my male artists in a different city every night for the sake of music.”
Anger spread behind my rib cage. I’ve worked my ass off as a dancer slash choreographer to make a name for myself in a city that’s cutthroat.
In a world where it’s so easy to put aside your morals for opportunity, I’ve held onto mine; and believe me, it’s cost me some career defining offers.
This was the first time that I was getting a shot to show my talent and I wasn’t going to let anyone, not even Nathan, diminish its importance.
Behind me, Nathan’s silence felt heavier than his usual presence.
I could almost hear the cogs turning in his mind.
The same man who’d defended me when my parents tried to clip my wings, who’d argued I should chase my dream of dancing no matter what, now standing here, trying to control the very dreams he once championed.
“You sound a lot like my dad right now,” I told him, my voice thick with emotion.
“I’m sorry if I gave you the impression that you had a say in my career,” I stood up from the couch.
A dangerous knot formed in my throat but I swallowed past it.
I would not cry right now. “If you can’t support my dreams, then maybe we don’t need to continue this relationship,” I told him as the prickling sensation built up behind my eyes.
“I’m going to sleep at home tonight.” I spun around and headed for the elevators just as the first tear slid down my cheek.