“Almond milk,” Cooper confirmed. “I’ll see you then.”
I kissed him again, this time managing to keep it quick and light, and stepped away, letting my fingers linger against his until I was completely out of reach. We shared a wave goodbye before I turned the corner, grabbing my phone out of my pocket to text Avery about what a magical nightandmorning I’d had.
Which was when I saw the notification.
Avery: do not look at Instagram this morning
Felix: too late
“What are you scowling about?”Amelia asked the moment she stepped into the studio. I offered her my phone, watching as her brows made a break for her hairline. She glanced at me, then back down at the phone, nose wrinkling.
“Felix, I’m?—”
“Don’t,” I said, accepting my phone back and tossing it in my bag so I wouldn’t be tempted to toss it out the window. I’d only just kind of figured out how this one worked, I didn’t want to start over.
KieranfuckingHendersen. Of all the people who could’ve replaced me.
“He’s—”
“Less than half the dancer I am,” I spat, marching to the barre. “And a fucking weasel. You know it was him who told everyone about Jeannie’s nose job?”
“I know,” Amelia said.
“Andwho got Maria fired over her side gig,” I added, moving into first position. I wanted to hit something, but this would have to do. “She had to go home to Poland.”
“I know,” Amelia repeated.
“And who’s been sidling up to Piotr for years,” I said.
FuckingKieran, who was five years younger than me. Who’d always treated me like an obstacle in his way, even when I’d tried to be his friend. Who wasn’t nearly as talented as he thought.
Who was in a dozen photos on the company’s Instagram announcement of their new principle dancer. One of which featured Piotr’s hand so close to his ass he might as well have been fucking him on stage for everyone to see.
I’d been replaced. Of course I had, I had to be. Piotr had his new rising star. I had no doubt Kieran’s career would take off from here.
Like mine had.
But I wasn’t good enough anymore.
Had I ever been?
I shook my head to clear it, taking a breath as I moved into second position like I’d been taught. Familiar movements. Deep breaths. My class was starting in just a few minutes, and I didn’t want to lose my temper with the kids. They deserved better than an instructor who snapped at them, especially if it wasn’t because of anything they’d done.
Pain shot up my thigh as I moved into fourth position, a cold spike of agony that made me stumble as spots swam in front of my eyes.
Amelia was beside me by the time my vision cleared, hand on my arm, moving me toward the barre. I grabbed it with both hands, tears stinging at my eyes as I panted for breath.
“Felix?”
“I’m fine,” I gritted out between breaths.
“You’re not,” Amelia said. “You’re pushing too hard. I’m cancelling the class, the competition isn’t?—”
“No,” I snapped, louder than I meant to.
The competitionwasthat important. Hadn’t I been thinking that less than an hour ago?
It was Amelia’s future and I owed her for bringing me here, for everything I’d had in this little town. It was also Benji’s, and Aisha’s, and Sarah’s, and Kayla’s, and Ye-jin’s. All the kids in my class.Mykids.
