Flip
I will fix this, kitten. And I will be there as soon as I can.
Tally
Okay. I might be at the dance studio later.
The humping dots appear and disappear a few times before another message pops up.
Flip
Make sure the studio is clear before you go.
Tally
I will. I’ll share my location.
Flip
Staysafe, please.
Tally
I will.
I hope that’s not a lie.
“How bad is the stuff online?” My stomach is in my throat.
Cammie and Brody exchange a look.
Mac kicks Gage when he opens his mouth.
“They’re digging into Flip’s past,” Cammie says gently.
“So all the old stuff is resurfacing?” I clarify.
“Yeah.” Chase runs his hands through his hair. It’s a tell.
“What else?” I glance between my friends.
“There are a lot of rumors floating around. They’ve gone all the way back to his university days.”
“What does that mean? What kind of rumors?”
“Just that he had a serious girlfriend at one point,” Mac says quickly.
“It’s hard to know what’s real and what’s not.” Brody’s expression is empathetic. “I’m sure when you see Flip, he’ll be able to smooth it all out.”
I feel like they’re talking around something, but my stress levels are through the roof, and I can’t process anything.
Fee finally shows up with my car. Despite my friends’ repeated attempts to get me to message my troupe and cancel, I go to dance practice. I understand why they made the suggestion once I’m there, because I get to explain the situation and how things have been taken out of context to Charles and Arya. Rehearsal does not go smoothly. I’m distracted, and my timing is off.
It does nothing to ease my worries or anyone else’s.
What if this one stupid mistake tanks the rest of my semester?
What if I fail my finals? What if no company wants me?
