“My wrist,” he said as his expression twisted in pain. “Something’s wrong.”
“Preston, your wrist is starting to swell,” I gasped. I rushed to grab an ice pack out of the first aid kit nearby as I shouted over my shoulder to Isaac. “Go get Dr. Laughlin. She’s still in the building for tonight’s show.”
Within five minutes, Isaac had returned with Dr. Laughlin, who quickly worked to analyze Preston’s wrist. Dem and Lukas found us as well, as concern grew between the five of us.
“Mild sprain,” Dr. Laughlin looked up at the team. “He can still dance, but no lifts for at least two weeks. What do you need to do tonight?”
Preston and I looked at each other as Dr. Laughlin handed him some painkillers and began taping his wrist up.
“The duet should be fine from this weekend,” he said. “Those minor lifts aren’t supported by this hand. The solo is fine. Isaac’s piece has so many lifts, though. How are we going to get through that?”
“Do we just do the first duet and the two solos tonight?” Dem asked.
“Isaac’s duet is breathtaking. We can’t just skip it,” Lukas frowned. “Can you adjust the choreography?”
Isaac shook his head. “Half the piece is supported lifts. It’s too much to change.”
Dem locked his eyes with Isaac. “Isaac, can you perform your duet with Ivy?”
Isaac’s eyes grew wide at the question. He furrowed his brows as he looked at me, seeming to go through the choreography in his mind. “I’m not quite in shape to do this.”
“You’re in the dance studio every week, working out and staying fit,” Lukas countered, fidgeting nervously between his two feet.
Preston pressed a kiss to my cheek as I gently rubbed his back. “I’m sorry, love,” he whispered to me.
“This is not your fault, injuries happen,” I whispered back.
After a moment, Isaac agreed and reached for my hand. “Let’s walk through the choreography.”
We reviewed all the steps and lifts, making sure Isaac had all the grips down. Some lifts felt a bit off balance, but Isaac surprised me with how easily he adjusted and recovered. Once done reviewing, he left to change.
Anxiety gripped my mind as I watched Isaac leave. As if reading my thoughts, Dem softly rubbed my shoulder, pulling my attention.
“Ivy, are you doing okay?” he asked.
“Uh…yeah…I think so. This is what we do,” I said half-heartedly with a shrug, hiding my concerns. This was what we did—but not usually with this much on the line. I was equally concerned about both Preston and Isaac, not on a professional level but on a personal one. Not only was getting replaced extremely difficult for a dancer, but so was stepping in at the last minute.
Isaac returned to the side of the stage in costume shortly, his face full of nerves.
“Guests are starting to file into the theater. We’re about two minutes from starting.” Lukas informed the group as we all took a deep breath.
“We’re all professionals here, and we have a job to do,” Dem encouraged us. “I believe in all three of you and know you can deliver. Are we ready?”
Isaac, Preston, and I all replied yes, though I still felt the nerves and doubt between us.
***
Demetrius
Preston and Ivy had proven they were not only beautiful dancers but professionals as well. The first duet went wonderfully for this second group of funders, and both solos looked fantastic again, just like Tuesday.
Here was the part where I worried. I walked out to the stage to catch the audience’s attention after Ivy’s solo.
“Before we move into our final piece this evening, I want to share a small update. Earlier this afternoon, Preston sustained a minor wrist sprain during rehearsal. He’s doing fine—and you’ll still be seeing him this weekend in our mainstage performances—but as a precaution, we’ve decided to pull him from the final duet tonight. Thisparticular piece involves some intricate lifts, and we want to prioritize his full recovery.”
I briefly paused, letting my words set in as some of the funders whispered amongst each other.
“Now, lucky for us, we happen to have the choreographer himself ready to step in. Isaac Senders, as many of you know, is not only Arco’s resident choreographer—he’s also a scent-matched member of our pack and a stunning dancer in his own right. He’ll be performing this next piece with Ivy, which he originally created for her and Preston.”
