"You can’t leave for ," she argued. "You’re a thousand tis better than , Grace. It would be career suicide."
"I’m not leaving for you," I said, shoving dancewear into my bag. "I’m leaving for . And any other young won who get caught in this trap. You and I are going to do so digging and find out what the hell is going on here. Sothing’s hinky."
"I don’t know if I’d go so far as to say sothing’s hinky."
I shrugged. "Well, we’re going to check it out anyway."
I had an entire club at my back who could uncover just about anything. If there was sothing to find, they’d find it.
Remi sighed. "Thanks Grace."
I smiled and slid my bag over my shoulder. "Ready?"
"Yes."
We headed out of the locker room and found Flea waiting outside.
"I’m leaving," I said.
He smiled. "I see that."
"We’re going to find out who else this asshat’s attacked."
Flea waved his phone. "Already started the process."
I wrapped my arms around him. "I love you."
He chuckled. "Proud of you, Grace."
"Be proud of Remi."
"Nope," Remington countered. "You should be proud of Grace. I don’t have a choice. She does."
"Aware of that," Flea said.
We headed down the hallway and found the director speaking with two security guards.
She held her hand out to Remi. "Your keycard, please."
Remi chucked it at her and it fell on the floor. She didn’t attempt to retrieve it. I was a little nicer, handing my keycard to her and making sure she grabbed it.
"Grace, you have real talent. Don’t throw it away," the director warned.
"I’m not throwing my talent away," I said. "I’m choosing to do sothing important with it."
With that last word, the three of us left the building and we walked Remi to her car.
"Let’s have lunch this week," I said. "But call if you need anything, okay?"
Remi hugged . "Thanks, Grace. I really appreciate everything."
"Any ti."
"It was nice to et you... um... sorry, was it Tick?"
I giggled. "Flea."
"Oh, god, I’m so sorry." She covered her mouth with her hands, her face bright red.
"Not a problem, babe," Flea said, trying to hide a smile.
"I’m gonna go now," she said, pointing to her car.
"Drive safe," I said.
She nodded, climbed in her car, and drove away. I handed Flea my keys and he decided we were going to take a detour to his place.
Flea and I pulled up to Hatch and Maisie’s place at five minutes to six. I saw that my brother’s truck was already there, which didn’t surprise . He was always early to everything.
Flea grabbed the six pack of beer and bottle of wine we’d bought and we climbed out of my car and headed to the door. It was opened before we had the chance to ring the bell.
"Twice in one week," Poppy crooned, pulling into a hug.
"Hey, bestie."
She hugged Flea, then took my hand and dragged inside. "We’re playing Pictionary. We just took a quick booze break, but Devon and I are winning."
"Unfair advantage," I complained.
"Oh, pish," she hissed.
Devon was an artist. He could draw anything, but outside of that fact, he and Poppy had always been able to read each other’s minds.
We arrived in the great room and Flea stepped into the large kitchen connected to the great room and poured so wine. I made my way to Cassidy who was waving her hand frantically.
"Did you really quit?"
I grimaced. "I did. Vitaly was a creep."
"Okay, you’re going to think I’m crazy."
"No," I deadpanned and she rolled her eyes.
"Impertinence will get you everywhere with ."
I grinned. "I know."
"I’m opening a school."
"Um, okay."
"Kim bought the building. She’s a silent partner."
"Congratulations?"
Cassidy grinned. "I want you to co and teach."
"What?" I whispered.
"You know my classes have a two-year waiting list. Now I can dedicate more ti to teaching and dancing, especially if I have my star pupil teaching with full-ti. I hope to build it up and have a draw for ballet superstars who will help take the school to the next level."
"Are you serious?"
"Yes. I’ll make it worth your while, honey, just say yes."
"Yes!" I squeaked, pulling her in for a hug.
"It’s going to take a few months to get up and running..."
"She can work at the shop until then," Flea said, sitting beside and handing my wine.
"I should probably talk to Hatch about that."
"Talk to about what?" Hatch asked, sitting across from and pulling Maisie onto his lap.
"Working at the shop until Cassidy gets the school up and running."
"Fuck, yeah you can," he said. "We’re dyin’ without you."
I rolled my eyes. "So lodramatic."
Flea wrapped an arm around and pulled close. "He’s right. The shop’s a ss right now."
"I would love to co back. Thank you."
The words were barely out of my mouth when my dad walked in. Maisie smiled at , then pushed off Hatch’s lap and walked over to , leaning down to kiss my cheek. "Try, love."
I sighed. "Okay."
She cupped my cheeks and grinned. "Proud of you."
She stood again and hugged my dad, while I took a deep breath and t his eyes. "Hi, Dad."
"Hey, sweetpea."
"Who’s watching Grams?" I asked.
"Flick," he said.
"Oh. Good." I smiled. "Um, thanks for... you know."
He grinned. "You’re welco."
Okay, it was a start.
Flea gave a gentle squeeze and kissed the back of my neck. "Good job, honey."
I leaned back against him.
The group decided Pictionary would have to wait until after dinner, mostly because Maisie said food was ready and everyone cared more about the food than the ga, so we all piled to their gigantic table and loaded our plates.
Flea stayed close, but I ventured out of my comfort zone and actually talked to my dad for almost ten minutes. It was nice. I was willing to take baby steps, but I still fully intended to guard my heart for the ti being.
As wine flowed and many desserts were consud (mostly by ), I stayed close to my man and relished the feeling of calm in the midst of the chaos of my family.
God, I loved these people.
I’d been consud by my anger, but my amazing man had shown a love I couldn’t asure, and in that love, I’d found grace.
He was everything I’d ever needed and I knew I’d never let him go.
Reviews
All reviews (0)