If Nate Eriksson doesn’t pick up his dance partner like a Zamboni and throw her into a perfect lift, I will RIOT.
ESPN Online:
BREAKING: Three-Month Suspension for Hammerheads Nate Eriksson
The New Haven Hammerheads’ most notorious player is off the ice and possibly out of time. After a brutal on-ice clash left New York Warriors rookie forward Alexei Voskoboynikov with a fractured orbital socket and a severe concussion, the NHL has handed Eriksson a three-month suspension. A spokesperson for the League called the incident ‘reckless, dangerous, and unbecoming of a professional athlete.’ Sources close to the Hammerheads say Eriksson may face further consequences if his behavior doesn’t change…READ MORE→
@HammerDown77 on Reddit (r/hockey):
Eriksson’s going to rehab his image on a ballroom dance show??? Bro couldn’t even spell cha cha. Man's gonna spin some poor pro dancer into a wall like it’s a breakaway. This is either the best PR move ever... or the end of his career.
@smorgasbrod_dane (reply):
At least Denmark gets him back if this flops. We’ll throw a parade. With jazz hands.
@itsChloeValdez on Instagram
(former TTF semi-finalist):
Just heard Nate Eriksson is joining #takethefloor. If you thought competing with an Olympic gymnast was rough, try dancing next to a man who could bench press you andstillthrow a punch mid-pirouette. GOOD LUCK to whoever pulls that assignment
2
NOT MY CIRCUS, DEFINITELY MY CLOWN
Holly
“They want me to ‘reform’ a 6’4 Viking with anger issues. Babe, I’m a dancer, not a Disney princess.”
The fourth spin was a mistake. Her ankle gave a vicious throb of protest the second she landed wobbly, and Holly Martinez hissed through her teeth like it might scare the pain into silence.No such luck.It burned anyway, sharp and low, radiating from tendon to temple like a private threat. She reset her frame, rolled her shoulders back, and spun again.
Seven hours in the studio. Two protein bars, one lukewarm coffee, and the ghosts of last season’s judges’ comments still haunting the corners of the mirrors. She’d been a core cast member ofTake the Floorfor three seasons now. Hadn’t won a season. Yet.
Shehadto nail this choreography.Hadto make the song choices relevant and the numbers pop. Because if she didn’t come out swinging this season, it wasn’t justherass on the line.
It was impossible to hide in front of the mirrored wall of the rehearsal studio. Holly kept her eyeliner so sharp it could gut a man, and her hair slicked into a bun that could survive nuclear fallout. She looked as if she were in control. Like she was handling her shit. But she could see the cracks in her carefully constructed lies every time she saw her reflection looking back at her.
A polite-but-unwelcome cough signaled a presence by the studio door.
“Don’t say it,” Holly called, breathless, not bothering to look up.
“Say what?” Martin, her producer, sounded falsely upbeat. Cheerful in that way people got when they were about to fuck you over with a smile.
“That I need to rest. That I look tired. That I’m pushing too hard. Or,God forbid, that I should take the afternoon off and ‘find my center.’”
Martin laughed, which meant it was worse than she thought. His loafers shuffled across the floor. Arrogant. Slovenly.Pick your fucking feet up if you’re coming in here to kick my ass.
His assistant, Kendall, was tapping on the surface of the tablet she had permanently attached to her hand. Ever-present, ever-judging.
“We’re just checking in,” Kendall chirped. She was young enough to still believe that meant somethinggood.
Holly turned slowly on her heel with grace that took years to perfect. “And I’m just pretending I don’t know what that means.”
Martin smiled. “You’re one of our most experienced pros.”
“And you’re about to tell me my partner is a rotting bag of disappointment. Just rip off the Band-aid, Martin.”
Kendall swiped on the tablet. “Two words for you, Holly.Nathanael. Eriksson.”
