12. Adrianna
Adrianna
"No, that isn't what I want to do. I don't want that." Lacey raises her voice and all the side conversations stop.
"While I am glad you are finding your voice and standing up for yourself," Sam says, putting her hand on Lacey's shoulder and leaning in closer to her. "You are wrong."
Lacey throws her hands in the air and turns around. "You can't make me do it, Sam."
"Okay, let's poll the room." Sam smiles and turns toward us.
"Who thinks we should add beginner adult dance classes to the schedule?
" She folds her arms across her chest. I can tell by the look on her face that she thinks she is right.
She probably is, but I don't know them well enough to give my opinion. Sam looks at CeCe.
I just met her tonight since Romeo and her were gone somewhere tonight. They weren't supposed to be back until tomorrow, but because of whatever happened with Matteo, they came back early. I really like her. She seems like she is someone that won't take crap from anyone.
"I agree with Sam. I think you should do it." CeCe smiles when Lacey rolls her eyes at her.
"I think you should, also," Mia says and Lacey looks at her in shock.
"You are my best friend. You are supposed to agree with me." Lacey looks at Mia, who hides her face in her hands.
"I know, but I think you are wrong," Mia says into her hands so we can hardly hear her.
"Marianne and I agree with Sam. Lacey dear, we think that would be amazing for you." Nina says and Marianne nods her head in agreement.
"What do you think, Addy?" Sam asks while I grab a cookie from the tray Gretchen walks in with.
"I don't have an opinion." I stuff the cookie in my mouth, hoping she will take the hint that I don't want to get in the middle of this. Growing up with my little brother, I understand the family dynamic, but this family is a little overboard when it comes to their opinions.
"You have to have an opinion, Addy." Sam gives me a look that says she wants an answer and she wants it now. Thankfully, I grew up with a mother who gave me that same look, and I know how to hold steady under pressure.
I lift my shoulder as I continue to chew. Hoping she will move on. Unfortunately, she must be used to getting her way because she raises her eyebrow and pops out her hip with her arms still crossed.
"Sam, I don't know if you will like my answer. Why don't you just keep your poll you have already? It looks like you already won." I snapped my mouth closed. I didn't mean to come across as brash as I did. Hopefully, she realizes I didn't mean to be mean.
"I would like to hear it." CeCe pipes up and starts laughing. "I really fucking like you, Addy."
"If you truly want my honest opinion, I need more information. I want to talk to each of you separately about why you think your way is the right way, not why you think everyone thinks it's a good idea." My dad's political side is showing, and I feel stupid for even saying it.
"What a great idea. I will go first." Sam walks over to grab my hand, but Lacey pipes up.
"I would like to talk to Addy first if that is okay." I wish she sounded more certain in herself. I know her friends want that, too. I saw how proud Mia looked when Lacey stood up to Sam, even if she didn't agree with her.
"I would like that very much." I stand and take Lacey's hand, having no clue where I am going, when I lead her out of the room. I stop in the hallway. "I have no clue where I am at." I start laughing, and Lacey does, too.
"Come this way. It's an empty room I stay in when we stay here." She pulls me down the hall to a beautiful room. The attached bathroom door is closed, but I am sure that room is beautiful as well.
"You don't have to tell me anything, Lacey. I just met you all. I just figured that Sam wouldn't stop until I said something. It is really none of my business." I watch as she walks over and sits on the bed; I walk over and join her. Holy shit, this bed is comfortable.
"I don't know how much Luka has told you about how I came to be part of this crazy family." She looks at me and I have to bite my lip so I don't laugh. Luka hasn't told me shit about anything or anyone. I don't even know why I am here.
"He hasn't told me anything."
"So, I used to dance." I go to tell her I know she still dances and she owns a studio, but she keeps talking.
"Professionally. From the moment I could walk, I was on stage.
My parents pushed me to be the best. Then, when I was old enough, I pushed myself to be the best. I know nothing except for dance.
I was homeschooled and my parents didn't mind if I didn't get good grades as long as I passed.
The only friend I have ever had is Mia. Everyone else who became my friend was because they had to or because they were trying to get something from me.
I don't know how to do anything but dance.
Now I can't even do that anymore. I got hurt before my last show in Paris.
I could still dance professionally, but I wouldn't be able to do it for long, and I could get hurt worse.
Most importantly, I know I wouldn't be the best anymore.
When I made the decision to step away from dance—" She pauses and looks down at her swinging feet.
"When I made that decision, my parents weren't pleased with me.
They didn't understand why I didn't push until I couldn't anymore.
Why would I stop when I could technically still dance.
They haven't spoken to me since. I have reached out, but they are just not ready to see me.
" I finally understand. I get the pressure of trying to be perfect for your family.
I get people only wanting to be around you because of who you are and what you can offer them.
Most people pushed their kids to be my friends and get close to my parents.
Especially my dad. Thinking that becoming my friend might get them in with a politician.
Little did they know that my parents didn't care about my friends.
"Okay, so why don't you want to teach adult beginner classes? I heard Layla and Gio talking about your dance classes. They seem to really like them."
She starts laughing. "Gio only comes to Hip Hop because he can watch the ballet dancers through the window.
" I started laughing, too, because I could totally see that.
Gio is such a little ladies' man. Being around all these men, I can see why.
"I just don't want to fail at something else.
With kids, it is easy to make a mistake and make it part of what they are learning.
Adults will know when I mess up or when my pain is too much to push through the moves I am trying to teach them.
They expect me to do everything they are doing.
When my parents finally come around, I don't want them to know I have failed at something else. "
"You are not a failure." I look at her and see her roll her eyes.
It is subtle, but it is there. "Lacey, you are not a failure.
You made the decision to step back before you got hurt even more.
If your parents can't see that, then that is their problem.
I know it's hard to see that right now. My parents are the same way.
They push for greatness, for perfection.
No one can provide that all the time. It took a long time for me to understand that.
I still find myself trying to be everything to my parents and I have a little brother to take some of the attention.
I couldn't imagine being the only one my parents had to rely on.
" She finally looks up at me. "But, it is a mistake to not do the adult dance classes because of that.
I think you are not doing it for the wrong reason.
I also think you need to talk with your friends.
They love you and will understand that even though they think you should do the adult classes now, you might need more time to get your brain wrapped around something like that.
But—" I take her hand and squeeze. "You are not a failure at anything, Lacey. Please know that."
She gives me a sad smile. "Even with Layla?"
"What do you mean? Layla is an amazing little girl. You have done a great job raising her."
"She isn't mine."
I don't hide the shock on my face, "What?"
"Something happened with her dad a little while ago. She didn't have anyone so I took her. I want her to be mine, but what if I mess her up even more?"
"From what I can tell, that little girl loves you. I would have never guessed she wasn't yours. She loves you like she is. Isn't that all that matters?"
Before she could answer me, the bathroom door opened, and we both jumped.
"Cal?" Lacey shoots up and throws her hands up. "What the hell?"
"I am sorry, Mia Stella. I needed a minute away from the guys and thought hiding in here was best. I heard you start talking and thought you needed to get it out.
I didn't want you to stop. I tried not to listen, but I can't let you sit here and think our little girl doesn't think you are the most amazing person in the world.
She loves you." He walks up to her, and I try to look away.
He takes her face, leans down, and whispers to her.
I can't hear what he says, but my heart is already tight from hearing him call her his star.
I am not sure what their relationship is, but you can see the love in his eyes when he pulls back and smiles at her.
"You promise?" She whispers back and he nods.
"Hey, Addy. Sorry for eavesdropping." He waves at me and I laugh.
"It's your house. I am just here." We get up and walk back into the living room.
Callum walks back into the office where the guys have been holed up.
All eyes turn to me as we walk in. "I don't think you should do the adult classes.
" I raise my hand to stop Sam from saying whatever she is ready to say.
"Yet, don't have them, yet. I think you need to talk to Lacey about why. "
Before the girls can ask her anything, I can hear raised voices coming from the office and then a door slamming open.
"I am going to fucking kill them." I don't know which guy says it, but the malice in his voice makes my skin crawl.
Up until this moment, I had forgotten where I was.
Who's house I am in. I am in the retired head of the Chicago Mafia's house, with the current head walking into the room looking like he is ready for war.
He goes straight to Mia and picks her up off the couch.
"I have to go out, Sunshine. Stay here with Ma and Pops, okay?
" She nods at him, and the other guys join us in the living room, saying goodbye to their girls and the kids.
I watch as Romeo and Cross put their guns behind their back, and I walk backward, closer to the exit.
I don't know what I will do when I get to the door, but I know I can't be here anymore.
I don't know how Luka got me to forget what his family is.
This is just another reason I can't be with him.
Why we won't go any further than tonight.
I am taking another step and back into a person. I feel his breath next to my ear.
"Where are you going, Gattina?"