I can’t help but grin at that. Not only did I make class a little harder for him… but he wants more of me. A little shiver of anticipation slides down my spine as I think of what he could have planned for us in… I look at my watch.
God, I have to be there in under an hour.
“Hey,” a woman’s voice says.
I look up. I’m surprised to find Honor standing there, looking like a tiny blonde super model in her chic black leather dress and black heels.
I flush. “Hey?”
She shoves a packet of papers at me. I take them, my brow furrowing. “What are these?”
Honor tosses her head, smiling coolly. “I’ve taken the liberty of calling my contacts in five other cities and finding you a good spot.”
I squint at her, tucking a piece of my hair behind my ear. “I’m sorry. What now?”
She crosses her arms, her expression growing impatient. “London. Paris. San Francisco. Seattle. Take your pick of the classical ballet companies. They will accept you into their ranks without you even trying out.”
I blink rapidly. “Why would I go to another city?” I ask slowly, confused.
She looks at her tiny gold wristwatch. “Because, dear. Right now you are in my fucking way. You stole my place at NYB.”
I shake my head. “I didn’t take your place. There were tons of spots to fill once NYB let half the dancers go.”
She tilts her head. “I think you bargained with Calum. You offered to fuck him in exchange for a spot in the company.” Her lips thin. “That’s my spot, as far as I am concerned. And my man. Or didn’t you know that Calum has been in love with me for half a decade?”
My mouth opens, but no clever retort pops out. I probably look like an idiot right now. “He is not.”
She rolls her eyes. “Yes, he is. And it just so happens that I need him now. So I am offering you a way to escape.” She glances up at me, an icy smile playing about her lips. “Or else.”
My heart starts beating very quickly. “Should I even ask what you’re going to threaten me with? I have to say, if you’re here to bully me, you are really late to the party.”
H’s lips twitch. “I don’t threaten. I don’t bully.” She steps closer to me, her eyes growing dark. “I only destroy. Usually I don’t even bother with warning my competition… but you just seem so…” Her gaze rakes over my body. The mockery in her tone makes me feel ashamed, somehow. “I was going to say delicate, but that’s not the right word, is it? No, I think it’s more like easy to crush.”
I swallow, shaking my head. “I think you need to take these papers back, Honor.”
She reaches out and picks a speck of lint off my shoulder. “Keep them. Read them over. My offer only lasts for the rest of this week. After that, you’ll be lucky if I let you live out the month.”
With that, she turns and struts away, soon vanishing amongst the crowd walking down the Manhattan street. I blink, looking down at the papers.
Then I remember Calum’s texts.
What am I supposed to say?
Hey Calum, your would-be girlfriend just threatened to kill me if I don’t leave New York? Could we maybe make it another night?
“Here,” Ella says, thrusting the to go cup in front of my face.
I startle a little, looking at her with wide eyes. She nods at the cup. “I am not that sneaky. You’re just ten kinds of jumpy today. Here, take it!”
I manage to juggle the papers in my hands and stick out my hand for the tea. She hands it over and takes a spot up against the wall, sipping her tea. Her eyes roam the sidewalk.
“Yo, the new dude gives me weird vibes,” she comments.
“Oh?” I ask.
“Yeah, let me tell you why…”
She launches into the topic. I should probably listen, because he gave me weird vibes too.
