Dem laughed. “I’m out…though I’ve tried talking Lukas into dancing again. We’ll see.”
The evening rolled on with more conversation and laughter, but my mind kept drifting to the stage and Ivy in my arms again. Maybe, just maybe, I’d get to feel that fire with her one more time.
***
Ivy
Delightful chatter and conversation filled the car on the drive home, but underneath it all, I could sense so much tension as I sat between Isaac and Preston, holding their hands. Both seemed ready to collapse emotionally for completely different reasons.
As the car pulled up to the house, I said softly to everyone, “Preston, Isaac, and I are going to chat in the group bedroom.”
“Understood,” Dem replied. “Lukas and I will be downstairs if you need us.”
Nobody said a word as I led both upstairs and into the group bedroom, shutting the door after we entered.
“Quite a night for all of us.”
Both Isaac and Preston avoided eye contact with me as they stood in silence, arms crossed.
After a brief pause, Preston unfolded his arms and walked over to me, kissing my cheek. “I know you and Isaac want to celebrate. I can leave you two alone.”
I reached for his arm and held him in place. “You’re not being replaced, Preston. Not now, not ever.”
“I know,” he murmured.
I wasn’t convinced by his reply, so I said it again. “You are not being replaced. Isaac is not replacing you.”
“You both danced so well together tonight, you should replace me.”
“Preston, no one is replacing you. You’re my prince, you can’t be replaced, understood?”
Isaac stepped forward. “Jesus, I do one show, and you think I can replace you? Even at the top of my career, I was never a match for you technically. There’s no way I can replace you…I haven’t even been healed yet!”
“I’m sorry, it’s been a long night,” Preston cleared his throat. “I don’t know why I’m feeling this way. It’s just a lot, and your duet couldn’t have been performed any more flawlessly…I’m happy for you, Isaac.”
I could see him fighting back tears. “Preston, you’re going to heal from this quickly, and then we’re going to perform many wonderful ballets together. No one is replacing you because no one can.” I knew I must reassure him here in this moment. If Isaac were to start dancing again, I wouldn’t let Preston feel cast aside.
After wiping his eyes, he pulled me into a large hug and held me tightly, kissing my forehead. “Thank you. You always have a way of reassuring me when I’m being stupid.” His arms lingered around me a brief moment longer before releasing me to grab a tissue.
I turned to Isaac next and softly smiled at him.
“What…my turn for therapy?” he joked, shrugging his shoulders as he glanced at me before averting his eyes again.
“Wow,” I started, slowly stepping towards him. “How did it feel?”
“You know how it felt…frickin’ amazing.” Isaac frowned as he picked at his shirt.
“And you might have a chance to dance again. How are you feeling about all this?” I asked, stepping closer to him still.
“I’m terrified, I’ll admit it.”
“Why? Because it might not work?”
He shook his head, growing quiet again.
“Because you’ll get your hopes up?”
He inhaled sharply. I could tell he was close to tears, so I pulled him into a tight hug.
