Gen turns to glare at Jodie so fast that I’m surprised shedoesn’t get whiplash. “First off, if Carole changed our position to the platform, you’d benefit too; since we’re stuck on the same line. But no. I was genuinely trying to help.”
Jodie’s eyes are narrowed, her tone suspicious. “Then what’s your agenda? You said it many times that until the official team is announced, we’re competing with each other for a spot on the team. So forgive us if we don’t believe in your selflessness. Especially since you proved more than once that you would sell your own mother to get what you want.”
“Is that how everyone feels?” Gen asks, looking around the locker room.
Almost everyone looks elsewhere; there are whispers and a couple of nervous laughs.
“Can you blame us, Gen?” I offer. “The incident at tryouts isn’t the only one. I almost didn’t dance today because you kicked me.”
Fury flashes in Gen’s blue eyes. “That was an?—”
“Accident?” I offer. “Yeah, we know. Just forgive me if it’s a little hard to believe that when you happened to kick me right after complaining that you wanted to be in the front.”
Gen leans closer and lowers her voice. “Shut up. Are you seriously accusing me while the cameras are rolling?”
I turn and spot one of the film crew pointing her camera at us. The presence of the cameras has become a constant during practices and team meetings, so it’s easier and easier to forget they’re even there.
But now it’s obvious why Gen was trying to be nice.
My hunch is confirmed by her next words.
“I’m sorry for being klutzy the other day at practice, Taryn. You’re one of the best dancers on the team, and so is Talia. As your future captain, I wanted to help to show mysupport. This is all. But I can see how my track record lately could make you question my motives.”
Yup. Gen is acting for the film crew’s benefit.
After Sam and Fiona were cut for not perfecting the kick line to Carole and Lexi’s satisfaction, things are getting more real every day.
In four weeks, the official team will be announced, and Carole and Lexi will choose one of the thirty-two dancers on the final roster as team captain.
Gen’s words have the desired effect of making Talia look like the asshole in this situation if she refused her help.
Like I thought, Gen is trying to look good for her audience, so she helps Talia without any incidents this time.
“Five minutes, girls.” Marianne, the team coordinator, pops her head into the locker room. “Give yourself the final touch ups, make sure all your valuables are secured in your lockers and come to see me outside. The six dancers on the platform will follow me; the six who are dancing in the stands in the home section will go with Adrianna, and Lexi is there for the six dancers in the UCLA section.”
The usual excitement mixed with dread that I always experience before every performance washes over me. The feeling is amplified tenfold, as I’ve never danced in front of so many people, especially if we count the ones watching the live stream of our pre-game show.
I open my locker to check my phone one last time before we go.
Two text messages are waiting for me in response to the good luck ones I sent earlier to Tucker and Colsen. I smile, as I didn’t expect to get an answer, knowing how strict their coach is.
Tucker: Thank you, baby. Give them hell. You’re gonna be the brightest star in this arena tonight.
Colsen: You’re gonna have millions of admirers after tonight. But I’m proud to be the one you’re gonna kiss later. Good luck, pretty girl.
I can’t help the smile that spreads on my face at reading their words.
As I’m about to turn my phone off, it vibrates with another incoming message.
I can’t help but think that it might be from Nash.
On second thought, it’s a stupid hope. I haven’t spoken to Nash since we bumped into the guys outside the doctor’s office.
And while I thought about texting him earlier, I didn’t. He made it more than clear that he doesn’t want to risk his good standing with Coach Harrison and that the fact that I’m seeing Colsen and Tucker is a deal breaker.
But the heart wants what the heart wants, and I almost expect to see his name flashing on the screen.
The text message is from an unknown number.
