“But you said it’s literally decimals of a point. Please, is there anything I can do to catch up those decimals before the season starts? I would do anything. Please.”
Carole was shaking her head even before Talia was done pleading for a different outcome. “I’m sorry, Talia. Our decision is not up for discussion.”
The words tumble out of my mouth before I can consider what I’m about to do. I hope Talia doesn’t take this the wrong way, because my intentions are honorable.
“Ma’am, I’m sorry for interrupting. And I know this is your decision, not mine. But you said it yourself that your decision is based on an extremely thin margin. If this is thecase, I would like to give up my spot on the team in Talia’s favor. Of course, provided that I’m not the other cut you were about to make.”
Carole and Lexi look shocked.
“No, Taryn. You weren’t one of the two dancers we are cutting tonight. But?—”
“Then please,” I interrupt her before she can say anything else. “Take Talia instead of me.”
Talia shakes her head. “Would you really give up your spot on the team for me?”
I nod. “Of course, babe. You deserve it more than I do.”
“Actually, Taryn,” Carole clears her throat. “She doesn’t. You deserve it more, and it’s our job to make that decision.”
I brace myself for the conversation I intended to have with them after the announcements were made. “There are some circumstances that might change your mind about that.” I chew nervously on my bottom lip, knowing that I can’t take back what I am about to say. “It’s about the no fraternization rule. I broke that rule, and I’m in love. If my choice is between the team and the men I love, I’d rather give up on the team.”
The shock on the trainers’ faces increases tenfold.
“Are you sure that’s how you feel, Taryn?” Carole asks me.
“I’m positive, ma’am. I’m sorry. I just found out that I passed my nursing license exam. So luckily, I have something else to fall back on. But unless you want to make an exception to the no fraternization clause in my contract, I’d rather you offer my spot to Talia.”
Carole closes her eyes and pinches the bridge of her nose. “No,” she says a few moments later. “I’m afraid the no fraternization clause is non-negotiable. But since technically training camp is over and you haven’t signed thecontract yet, we could turn a blind eye to what you just told us as long as you make yourself compliant with the clause by the time you sign it.”
I don’t even have to think about it. “My relationship is non-negotiable, too.”
Lexi’s gaze meets mine. “Taryn, you’re making a mistake. We were about to offer you the captain position.”
“Sorry, ma’am. I’m honored and I want to thank you for everything I’ve learned from you during camp. But?—”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Gen screeches. “You were gonna make her captain? Are you seriously saying that I’m number two on your roster?”
Carole opens her mouth to respond to Gen’s outburst, but apparently there’s more where that came from.
“She just admitted to breaking one of the most important rules you expect your dancers to follow. And just in case you missed it, she saidThe men I love. Men, as in plural. She isn’t just fucking Talia’s brother. She’s fucking Mack too, and she’s been lying to me all along. Even if she broke things off with them, I couldn’t work alongside someone who would go after my man.”
Silence descends on the office until Carole clears her throat. “I’m sorry you feel this way, Genevieve. But the thing is that we didn’t want to see you to offer you the alternate captain position. And certainly not the captain's position.”
It takes half a second for Gen to make sense of what she just heard. “I’m sorry, come again?”
Lexi steps in. “You heard Carole loud and clear, Genevieve. You are our second cut tonight. We’re sorry, but?—”
“No!” Gen bites out, her voice going up with every word. “No way. You can’t do that. I’m your best dancer.”
“You aren’t.” Lexi corrects her. “That’s Taryn. But your skills as a dancer have nothing to do with why you’re being cut.”
Gen crosses her arms over her chest. “Then why?”
“Your general attitude leaves a lot to be desired, Genevieve.” Carole says. “When we started camp, we were clear that dancing was just one part of the equation. We want elite dancers, of course, but we want team players. We want you to help and treasure one another. Your teammates should be your sisters. And what you just did? Accusing Taryn of sleeping with Tucker and Macklin? That isn’t the kind of dancers we want on our team.”
Gen leans over the desk to face Carole and Lexi. “She just admitted it. I didn’t do anything but confirm what she just told you! How does that make me the bad guy?”
“The trouble is,” Carole isn’t intimidated by Gen’s aggressive behavior. “That today’s outburst was just the tip of the iceberg. We reviewed the footage of the famous kicking incident during rehearsals. And it’s one hundred percent obvious that you kicked Taryn intentionally. We also went back to the day of the solos. While there aren’t any cameras in the changing rooms for obvious reasons, we caught footage of you laughing with your friends at Taryn’s expense.”
