I’m waiting for her with a dozen black dahlias when she comes out of the dressing room.
“Your little dance was almost flawless, Sly,” I say with a smirk. “Too bad you tripped there at the end. I didn’t mean to distract you.”
“What are you even doing here,Dick?” She sneers the nickname she’s dubbed me with. “Don’t you have a frat party to attend or something?”
“Fuck no,” I scoff. “I don’t do preppy boy shit like that. I may hit the tittie club later to watch somerealdancers, though.” I lean in until my breath ghosts over her lips. “Wanna come with? I bet they’d let you on stage.”
I laugh when she snatches her head back before handing her the flowers.
“Oh, look.” She buries her face in the blooms to inhale their scent before looking at me with that sly grin I’m becoming addicted to. “They’re the same color as the hole where your heart should be.”
Her voice is sarcastic, but I don’t miss the hint of disappointment lingering there. I’m tempted to admit that if Ididhave a heart, it would only beat for a tiny dancer like her. But that will only lead me down a path of putting her in danger.
“I knew you’d like them since they’re bigger than most of the other flowers…kind of like your ass being bigger than the otherdancers.” I jump back when she swings the bouquet at my face. “Hit me up if you change your mind about dancing at the club,” I say before turning and walking away to the sound of her growl.
CHAPTER THREE
Sloan
It’s been two weeks since I found that taunting letter, and I’ve been on edge the whole time. I constantly feel like someone is watching me. I’ve reverted to the girl I was in college; looking around corners, waiting for my bully to jump out and torment me. The memories of my college hell have returned to the forefront of my mind from where I buried them years ago. Especially when I arrive at the studio and find a vase sitting on the stoop with a dozen black dahlias. They’re just like the ones Dean gave me after the Spring Showcase my junior year, but I refuse to let myself think it’s him.
The fact that I have no idea who’s invading my space this time doesn’t matter; my enemy will always wear Dean’s face in my mind. It’s the reason I have a picture of his face on the dartboard in my bedroom. Any time I feel like I’m slipping backinto the self-conscious girl I was in college, I throw a few steel-tips right at his—not so—ugly mug. But I don’t think that’s going to work this time.
I’ve considered talking it through with my sister several times, but she’s been distracted with work. She was assigned to investigate the attack on a tattoo shop owner that she responded to as a deputy over a year ago. That day changed Becky’s life since she and her partner were hit in their patrol car by the attackers. She spent weeks in the hospital and lost her chance to become an FBI agent as she’d planned.
It worked out for her in the end, though. She fell in love and ended up marrying her doctor in Vegas right after being offered the role of Lead Detective of Thorngrove Sheriff’s Department’s Southside Division. It is a new department, trying to cut down the crime rate on the bad side of our college town before it erupts into the main areas. Her partner and closest friend, Tyler, is the junior detective working with her.
I know working the case that landed them both in the hospital is making them relive the nightmare all over again. Anytime I ask Becky how it’s going, she changes the subject. I’d usually push the issue until she confides in me, but this time, I’ve let her keep these cards close to her chest. Just like she did for me when I didn’t want to talk about the reason I came home after college instead of accepting the invitation to join a prestigious dance company.
Five YearsEarlier
“What do you mean, you’re not going to accept it?” Becky shrieks when I tell her I’m coming back to Thorngrove next week instead of starting at the Cherokee Falls Dance Company.
“I can’t stay here, Becky.” I take a breath to stop my tears from spilling over and let it out with a sigh. “Dean will be acop.Can you imagine the torture I’d endure, trying to avoid him?”
“Oh, Sloan.” Her voice is laced with pity and I hate it.
I’m not some wilting flower. I thought I’d be the life of the party when I came to college, but instead, I’ve spent the past four years avoiding parties because of the fear of his torture. Because, despite what he said last year, I know that he and Riley go to some of the biggest parties. I’m not just going home to escape him. I’m going to escape the girl he’s turned me into.
“It’s gonna be fine,” I say, putting every ounce of confidence I have left into my voice. “I’m going to use my savings to open a studio in Thorngrove. I can teach dance classes, and I won’t be tied to ballet. You know I love to mix it up. This way, I’ll be able to do that.”
“That’s true,” she admits. “I just want you to do what makes you happy.”
“Coming home will make me happy,” I say as Sheila steps into our dorm room. “I gotta run. I’ll see you next week. I love ya, little sis.”
“Okay. Love you, too,” she says before I end the call to get ready for the party Sheila convinced me to attend tonight.
“I’m soglad you’re finally coming to a party with me,” Sheila says as we walk toward the fraternity house holding the biggest partyof the night. “I just hate that you’re leaving next week. I’m going to miss you.”
“We’ll stay in touch,” I promise. “Thorngrove is only an hour away.”
“That’s true,” she says as she reaches for the door and opens it to reveal exactly what I expected a college party to look like.
The furniture is all pushed against the walls, and guys are lounging as they watch girls in various groups dancing in the open space. As soon as Sheila and I have downed our first shots, we make our way back to the front room to show the sorority girls how real dancers get down.
An hour later, I’m still dancing with Sheila when two guys decide it’s a good idea to join us uninvited. Sheila and I share a glance before shrugging as we continue to dance, facing each other with them behind us. As long as they don’t get too handsy, there’s no harm in letting them think we’re dancing for them.
That is until a dark shadow falls over us and we turn to see Riley standing beside us with his fists balled at his sides as he stares daggers at the guy’s hand resting on Sheila’s hip. I don’t know how I’ve known him for four years without noticing howbighe is. He towers over us, and his dark chocolate complexion only adds to his menacing demeanor as he grabs the arm of the guy standing frozen in fear.
