But she’s not the girl who was my high school sweetheart. Not anymore. My eyes trail down her body and back up again.
A lot of things are still the same. She’s in shape and her curves are delicate with toned muscles from dancing. Her head is tilted back and she’s looking up at me with the same brown eyes I spent hours getting lost in.
Sometimes, when the world seemed too big and everything was crumbling around me, I would think about those eyes. I would think about her touch and the way she fit in my arms just right. I would think about the smile on her face when she would nail a new routine or spin a certain way while holding her body just how she wanted to.
Brielle floated on the dance floor. All rhythm and movement and moments of peace while telling a story with her body that I always seemed to understand.
It felt like I could float just because I had the pleasure ofwitnessing her rise.
I’ve never felt that since then. Maybe I didn’t want to. Or maybe it’s only possible with her.
And now I can’t let her go.
I almost can’t believe she’s here.
The last time I checked on her she was still in New York. It wasn’t like she ever knew I was checking, but I just wanted to make sure she was safe. At least it’s what I told myself.
Over the years I’ve checked in on her less and less as the distance and time made her into a woman I only knew once upon a time.
Clearly, I didn’t check often enough since she’s standing in front of me and I’m shocked as fuck about it.
She should be in New York. It’s where her dreams took her. I can almost see those spotlights dancing across her skin right now.
As I look closer, I can see how tired she is and the little ways she’s gotten older. I’m sure she can see the same lines and little signs on my face as well.
The last time I saw her was almost 19 years ago. I blow out a deep breath, unsure of how to even begin to understand what is happening right now.
“You know Cowboy?”
I glance over at the woman because of her suspicious tone. I don’t even remember her name. I just know she works for us. It’s always been business and the line between the club and our casino is clear.
When I narrow my eyes, she doesn’t notice. No, she’s too busy staring at Brielle with enough malice to make the hair on the back of my neck stand on edge.
As much as I don’t want to, I force myself to let go of Brielle. What I don’t do is take a step back.
“It just so happens that Brielle and I grew up together.” Brielle looks down, her fingers linking together. I can see the small smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. “We were high school sweethearts. Last time we saw each other was almost 19 years ago.”
Brielle’s head snaps up and her brown eyes flash with pain and maybe a little regret. As much as it hurt, I don’t regret it. Only because she was able to follow her dreams.
It was enough. It was the only way I could love her back then.
I glance at the woman and then flick my eyes toward the door. “I’ve got the rest of the tour.”
Her mouth drops open, but she snaps it closed and turns toward Brielle, her words clipped, “You have everything you need. I do as well. Welcome to Elysium.” It’s obvious that she has to pull those words out of herself. Forcefully.
The door shuts and the silence that follows feels big. Huge. I can feel the pressure of it on my shoulders.
“Cowboy, huh?” Brielle looks up at me with an arched eyebrow, the challenge clear. But there’s no judgement and the same shock I’m feeling is written all over her face.
I shrug one shoulder, the action casual, my voice the same, “Road name. Wasn’t sure what I was looking for when I came to Vegas,” I don’t say the words, but by the small frown on her faceshe can hear theafter you lefthanging there, “but I found the Steel Sinners.”
Her brown eyes scan me, slower this time. It takes some effort to keep my arms loose at my sides. She can look.
Fuck, look all you want my Tiny Dancer.
“Yeah,” she nods thoughtfully, “I can see you finding family with a motorcycle club. It looks good on you.” She takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly, as if she’s fighting the same kind of ache I feel at having her standing in front of me. “You look grounded in a way you didn’t back then.”
I bark out a laugh. “Grounded? I don’t think many people would talk about the Sinners and being grounded,” I tease her.
