Chapter Fourteen
I thought before the days had gone by fast, but then days started to turn into weeks and then the weeks turned into a month. I had no idea that when you spent time with someone who truly mattered in your life, how time didn’t play a part in your lives.
I’d been glad to get back on some type of schedule, even if it wasn’t the same thing every day. Mondays Law came home and we spent time catching up. Tuesday and Wednesday we went exploring, seeing his parents, and he showed me around not just Talladega, but the whole state of Alabama and we even went on a day trip to Georgia. On Thursdays he left and the sadness sank in, but then Friday through Sunday I spent time catching up with Law’s mom, calling Leah, we had a few “date” nights watching movies together on the computer, and then when Law raced I made sure I was camped out in his theatre room cheering him on the only way I knew how, while learning more about his sport.
I had gone to libraries to check out books. When Law came home I always asked him as many questions as I could.
We had spent the last month getting to know each other on every personal, physical, and mental level we could. The more I learned about Law, the more I found myself wanting to really see him in his element and that was the thought I had been toying around with for the last week after seeing him win another race on Sunday. When he left on Thursday I started planning how I would ask him, because in my head I didn’t want to assume I could just go and it would be fine. I figured he would probably have to adjust his schedule and the more I thought about it, the less I wanted to be a burden. Now that it was Monday, though, I knew the conversation was going to have to happen.
I opened the last box that had been delivered last week from my storage unit in New York. After being here a few weeks, Law insisted I “get my shit out of New York as soon as possible.” His exact words and I made sure to do just that.
Leah and Axel had set up the movers and put everything on the truck for me, so when it was delivered, Law and I unloaded it, but it had been a slow process going through each box, trying to decide what I wanted to keep in this new life of mine and what I would be letting go. It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be, though. I had boxes lined in the garage that we were going to drop off at a shelter.
I pulled out my leo from the box in front of me and I brought it to my chest, holding it as close as I could get it. I had purposefully saved this box for last. It was full of my leotards, ballet flats, awards, trophies I had won in school. Everything about my life in New York wrapped all in one.
When I came to Alabama, I hadn’t ever intended to dance again, because I just didn’t feel it in my soul, but after about two weeks here and almost going stir-crazy, Law had suggested to the local dance studio to bring me on as the ballet teacher.
The first day I had walked in I was terrified. I had only ever danced for myself but had never taught anyone before. I had no idea how good I would be or if I could even do it, but I gave it a shot and it was magical. The way the girls’ faces lit up the first time I showed them how to do first position was something I’d always remember. So many of them had a hard time getting their footing just right, but I had found myself so patient with them, wanting to make sure they got it in their own time and it wasn’t rushed. The parents appreciated this and I felt my heart grow twice its size that this was something I could possibly turn into a career. I might not have the passion for dancing myself, but these girls, watching them dance, they had it, and I wanted them to soar. The biggest difference, though, was that these kids wanted to be here. When I had started dancing, I was forced into it and then learned to love it. These girls had a spark in their eyes I realized now I’d never had, that maybe I’d just liked moving to the music.
I placed my leo back in the box and taped it back up, placing it into the top of our closet. Just because I didn’t have the passion to dance didn’t meant I fully wanted to give up something that had been the biggest part of my life. It was just a new passion now. It was a passion in helping others build the dreams they wanted. It had started with Law and had trickled down into these dancers. Dancers who felt like family now.
My phone buzzed in my back pocket and I pulled it out to see a text from Law’s mom.
Cary:We are having a barbecue on Wednesday, so don’t let my son hold you hostage!
I laughed at the thought that Law would be able to hold me back from his mom’s cooking. I swear, after I had gotten out of the habit of eating out, I learned that Law’s parents’ house was where all the good food was. His mom always made sure I had leftovers and in the process I had probably gained at least twenty pounds, but Law never seemed to notice. In fact, it seemed like he loved my body even more, even with the added curves. I’d never had them before and as I was getting used to them and having to buy new clothes, Law was embracing them with extra hand grabs and love bites.
Anya:As long as there are baked beans, I’m down!
I shot back a text to Cary and put my phone away. There was no way Law was keeping me away from my first Fourth of July in the South. I wasn’t much of a fan of fireworks, but give me a sparkler and I could be entertained for hours.
I was startled by movement at the bedroom door and grabbed for the bat Law insisted on keeping next to the bed. He had said that even though we were on a farm in the middle of nowhere, he still wanted to make sure I was safe.
Law rounded the corner with his hands in the air.
“It’s just me, killer.” He laughed and I lowered the bat.
“You gave me a freakin’ heart attack!” I placed the bat back down and slapped at his shoulder as he brought me into his arms.
“Mmmm.” His face buried into my neck. “I love this Southern accent growin’ on you, sugar.”
I giggled and pulled away, holding Law at arm’s length to take in his look. He was in jeans and a shirt with his ball cap on backward and I always loved to see him like this. He had managed to only keep his suits on the bus that his team used when traveling. Other than that he said he never had a reason to wear them around me. I felt the same way with about half of the clothes I had brought with me.
My wardrobe had gone from dresses and leos to shorts and tees every day. It felt freeing, but I did have to invest in some pretty durable shoes, especially when I went out on the farm with Law and he brought the horses out. He had given up on teaching me how to drive, stating he preferred to chauffeur me around anyways, and focused on getting me to learn to ride a horse.
It had been exhilarating the first time and it wasn’t long until Law felt comfortable enough to let me ride alone, so when I got lonely when Law wasn’t here, I made sure to take out one of the horses and ride around until my arms got too tired to hold the reins.
“I have a surprise for you.” Law pulled at my hands and dragged me downstairs.
I had no idea what this man would be able to surprise me with. I always seemed to be steps ahead of him and he hated it when he tried to cook me dinner one night, to when he “surprised” me with chocolates I had already started to dig into from the day before when I had found them in the pantry, but when Law moved out of the way for me to see the front door, I had to say, he blew me away.
“Ahhh!” I screamed as I ran toward Leah and crashed into a hug, knocking us both against the door. “You’re here!”
“I’m here!” she yelled back at me.
“You’re here!” I looked over at Axel and gave him a hug as well, but Leah grabbed me back and wrapped me in her arms again, not letting go.
“I am.” Axel laughed at me and looked back at Law, who was standing next to us with his hands in his pockets and a huge proud smile on his face.
