Wait a minute…
Because if Miles is here… An icy dread fills me. If Miles is here, that means Ben probably is too.I knew it.I feel totally vindicated knowing that I fucking knew it!
While Lily agonizes over the decision, it’s actually Miles who makes the first move, heading our way. My eyes dart from her to him, warning her of his incoming presence just before he reaches us.
“Hey, Lily!”Miles grins over her head at me. “Hi, Briar.”
I wave awkwardly at him, my eyes flashing at my best friend, who’s gone completely still. She slowly spins back around to face him, her hazel eyes wide, and her entire body tense.
“Hi,” I hear her say, almost too quietly to be heard over the music, her freckled cheeks reddening even further.
“Do you want a drink?” He points behind us, toward the bar she’d just dragged me away from.
“Oh, I—um.” I feel her hesitation, and she looks back quickly over her shoulder at me. I shoot her a look, one brow raised—Will you go already? Gently, I shove her back in Miles’ direction to really hammer in my point, while answering for her.
“Yes. Yes, she does.”
Despite my urging, Lily still looks torn, turning to mouth at me: “Are you sure? I don’t want to leave you!”
Considerate, seeing as she dragged me here against my will. “Yes.” I nod reassuringly, pointing back to Cassie and Mia, who aren’t far from us, and holding up my half glass of alcohol. “I’llbe fine. Go!”My eyes flash as if to say,Girl, if you don’t go get a drink with him right now…
Her smile brightens, and she turns back to Miles, finally agreeing to get that drink.
I watch them on their way back to the bar. Miles places his hand on the small of Lily’s back, gently guiding her through the crowd. He’s a good guy. He’s gotterribletaste in friends but, a good guy. My gaze continues past them, scanning the length of the bar only to find Tall-Dark-and-Tattooed at the end. And he is…
Not looking at me.
No, he has settled his dark gaze on the dance floor.
Why do I feel…disappointed?I should be happy he’s finally redirected his attention elsewhere, though part of me still wants to wring that apology out of him.
“So, Briar, I’ve been meaning to ask—” I turn back at the sound of Mia’s voice, “—what’s it like beingtheBridget Rousseau’s daughter? I mean, it’s no wonder your technique is flawless! She’s a literal legend. Did she hand-train you herself?”
Gripping my glass tighter, I school my face into the well-practiced smile I save for when someone inevitably brings up my prima ballerina mother. I don’t know Mia very well; we only share one class together, and while her question seems genuine, when one of my classmates brings up my mother, it’s usually to throw her in my face.The dance world is cutthroat and cruel, and getting into other dancer’s heads is an art form at this level.
But what I’m not going to do is tell her the truth. Did Bridget Rousseau Ralston want a ballerina daughter? Of course, she did. But just for the optics. Bridget Rousseau’s daughter was supposed tofollowin her mother’s footsteps. Bridget Rousseau’s daughter was under no circumstances supposed tosurpassthem.
“It’s an honor to be her daughter.” I can practically hear my mother’s voice in my head, the constant criticism: ‘Point your toe, lift your chin, fix your posture—it’s an embarrassment.’ “I certainly learned from the best; she has very high standards.”Or make that… impossible…
Mia and Cassie quickly lose interest and soon delve deeper into discussing the various strengths and flaws of potential partners for the fall semester. I scan the crowd again, my eyes catching on a familiar head of dark brown hair.
Ben.
My stomach drops, and I feel sick. I immediately avoid eye-contact. The panic is instantaneous. I can’t do this, can’t see him, not here, not now. I’m not ready.
I’d lost track of how many times he called me before I finally blocked his number. He was nice, cute, funny, and I thought he liked me. I let my guard down and lesson fucking learned. I won’t be making that mistake again.
My panic is immediate, the threat very real, when I see Ben pushing through the crowded bar, headed my way.
My mind runs through my options. Ben is currently between me and the exit, so there’s no escaping that way. I could hide in the bathroom.But I can’t stay in there all night, and I’m willing to bet he’d be waiting outside for me when I came out. Even though he was the one who cheated, he’s been borderline stalking me, near desperate in his efforts to convince me to take him back.
There’s always the fire alarm…
My eyes scan for emergency exits, once again taking me right pasthim.
His eyes are on me, slightly narrowed, and it’s unsettling how intense his gaze is.
A wild idea pops into my mind, and I’m moving before I can really even think it through properly.
