“She twirls so perfectly, they say it’s like the spin of a top. She had to work really hard, but she is a vision in motion. Maybe I can convince her to try out for our company sometime.”
Frankie was spellbound by Mona, and by Erina right in front of her. It was then that Teddy realized how this, now, filled him with the same elation he thought he could only experience while dancing or training someone else to dance with equal passion.
It wasn’t the dancing he missed, not only that, but this feeling, something he had a sneaky suspicion that Finn had realized all along.
Teddy didn’t hold up the line. Frankie’s parents wanted to meet Erina, too, Finn wanted to congratulate her, and their mother descended in a way that said she would hold up the line as much as she wanted, but it was only after the crowd had dwindled that Teddy had a moment alone with his sister.
“Be honest. How was it?” she asked.
“Overall, I would have done better. Sancho Panza was sluggish.”
“Teddy.”
“You were amazing.” He cracked an honest smile. “I couldn’t have choreographed anything more beautiful, and even if I had, you would have outperformed that as well. You deserve every bit of praise they’re saying. I’m proud of you.”
Laverne may spout those words constantly, but it wasn’t something Teddy said often. He could see how the phrase startled Erina.
“Stop, you’ll ruin my eyeliner,” she said, running a finger under each eye to prove it. “I’m glad you came. Really. I know we’ve done our own thing most our careers, and I’d alwayscomplain whenever you came to see one of my shows in another city and gave criticism, but I also don’t want to lose that just because your life is taking another direction. You’re a bitch sometimes, but you’re honest. Dad was just mean.”
Again, she’d brought up their father unprompted, and Teddy thought he might be starting to understand why. Dad was out of their lives, and it had been a good riddance, but now Teddy had stepped away too, a loss Erina hadn’t been prepared for or wanted.
“You know I’ll always be there when you need me,” Teddy said, glad the crowd had dwindled and that no one else was around.
“I know,” she said with another sniffle, glancing at her feet.
There was an age gap between them, over ten years’ worth, but it had been a long time since he’d thought of her as hisbabysister. “Are you saying I’m not mean?” he said to brighten the dark mood. “Because you’ll destroy what little reputation I have left.”
Erina huffed a laugh, eyes sparkling with wetness. “You’re still an ass, Teddy Scofield, never worry about that.”
“If I gave you any critiques tonight, I’d be making them up,” he said sincerely. “If that’s ever not true, I’ll be honest.”
“I know that too,” she said and launched forward to hug him, allowing one stray tear to slip free.
Teddy forgot sometimes how often they both hid how they truly felt. Finn had hidden part of himself too. Maybe everyone did, but for once, being open didn’t scare Teddy, and he liked being able to share that with his sister—and his boyfriend.
“Now, go back to your cradle robbing.” She pushed his shoulder, indicating Finn across the room with Laverne, Rick, and Dan. Frankie had left, but she’d been in a joyous daze that Teddy was grateful he’d been able to give her. “Say hi to Carlos when you see him. He’s coming to the show next weekend.”
Of course he was, though Teddy couldn’t be anything but happy for his sister.
And happy for himself when he caught Finn staring at him.
While Erina went off to change and head to a cast party, Teddy moved through the emptying lobby toward his friends. He caught a caustic look from Hartley across the room, but simply smiled back and felt a wave of self-satisfaction course through him when Hartley looked even more annoyed.
“It was good to see you, dear.” Laverne kissed his cheek. “Lunch tomorrow? You’re in town until Sunday, aren’t you? I don’t know when I’ll get out to that beach house, so I need to get in as much mother-son time as I can. Besides, I expect Finn will be joining us? He’s lovely,” she whispered at Teddy’s ear.
Laverne could have partied with the best of them, but she said her farewells to call it a night.
Rick, on the other hand, was already loosening his bow tie. “We hitting the bars or what?”
There were numerous local establishments near the theater that Teddy knew well and had frequented over the years, but the one they chose was an Irish pub with hidden nooks where he could sip on a whiskey for hours without feeling the need for more than a single glass. He’d sobered from earlier and wasn’t drinking anymore to drown himself but to celebrate.
They claimed one of the nooks that was perfect for four, closed in on three sides like their own private room. Rick mirrored Teddy with a whiskey, while Finn had a Smithwicks and Dan a Guinness. They’d shoved their ties into their pockets, and all but Teddy’s suit coat had been removed to pile in the corner. Teddy liked layers, though he did have his jacket unbuttoned.
“Glad you enjoyed the show, Finn,” Rick said through a snicker. “Have fun letting Teddyshow you around?”
“Rick,” Teddy warned, since his tone was anything but subtle.
“I uhh… saw some worthwhile sights, yeah.” Finn blushed but didn’t try to hide his grin.
