I flinch as Trick questions, “What did you tell her?”
Drew smiles slightly and admits, “I told her I wouldn’t make him do something he doesn’t want. I told her where he goes, I will go, so I’m not keeping him away from her family when her tone suggested otherwise. I promised her I’ll try and convinceher brother to call her.” She looks at me and demands, “Call her or no sex for a month.”
My lips twitch as Trick laughs, “I really fucking like her,” while Drew just raises a brow.
“No sex, huh?” I confirm with amusement, and she nods seriously, and I give in, “Okay, baby, I’ll call her.”
Drew grins widely before focusing back on Trick, getting to know him and all the shit we got up to growing up as Blade joins us. We all begin to talk and the contentment surrounds me, a feeling of…hope. I can have this with my club if I can get my fears and guilt under control.
Fuck… I have hope.
Chapter 17
Drew
I push off from the ground from aplie, lift myself, and go into a pirouette. I focus on breathing in through my nose and out through my mouth, while keeping my face relaxed, letting my emotions tell the story of the Nutcracker. In three weeks, I'll perform with the national Preemie League, a group of dancers who sell out tickets and raise thousands for premature babies.
The nine-year-olds I teach will be involved in the performance this time and were in this morning learning their roles. Now I have to practice mine, which, unfortunately for me, is the lead, meaning I have more pressure on my shoulders.
I exit my spin and land in the perfect fourth position, both my knees bent, and I breathe heavily. I can feel sweat on my forehead, and I know my back is soaked, but I try to ignore it as I stand straight and turn off the music.
I’ve been practicing for nearly two hours, my legs feel wobbly, and my arms ache, but I feel good, like I can do this.
The Nutcracker is one performance I have never done before, and despite the pressure, I’m excited. Thousands have already been raised for the charity and that, by itself is incredible.
I quickly grab my water bottle and take a lengthy sip, before grabbing the towel and I wipe my forehead while I try to catch my breath.
It’s been two days since Drake left town...well at least that is the story. Two days since I met Bellamy’s best friend, or one of them anyhow, the man who is supposed to be his VP. Two days since I had my speeding ticket disappear – thank you, Trick – and two days since I realized I could be pregnant.
I want to think the crap with Drake is what has caused the further delay of my period, or that is what I’m trying to make myself believe anyway.
I groan, lower my head, and rest my palm on my stomach.
It feels bigger, like I’m bloated, but again, I have been dancing a lot lately for this show, add in the teaching…
“This is all your fault!” is screamed across my dance studio, and I jump out of my skin, dropping my towel in shock as I turn towards the scream, only to roll my eyes at my sister looking a mess.
Tears trail her cheeks, her hair is a mess, and she’s wearing Drake's clothes that seem to fit her better than they fit him.
I want to laugh, I really do, but with how she looks right now, would it be appropriate?
I swallow my snort as she wipes her eye, causing mascara to spread, and I ask calmly, “And what, pray tell, is my fault now, little sister? Did you break a nail? Did you decide that Mom giving birth early was now down to me? Did Drake cheat on you?”
Her nostrils flare as she storms my way and shoves me. What is it with people coming in here and getting aggressive?
“Drake left me! He left town, and you are to blame!” she accuses, and I raise a brow at her.
Actually, he’s dead, but I can’t tell her that, instead I point to my lip, the only thing makeup couldn’t cover from his attack and I state, “I haven’t seen my ex-boyfriend since he did this two days ago. Why don’t you turn your spoiled little ass around and get out before I finally do something I have wanted to ever since you decided the world owed you everything!”
Her nostrils flare, and she screeches loudly just as I hear Dad demand, “What the hell is your problem now, Elizabeth?” just as she throws a punch my way.
"Drew!" I hear Cage growl and I quickly duck, unwilling to get another bruise. My sister stumbles from her missed punch and she gasps in shock.
Using Trick’s techniques—he taught me to punch, to Bellamy’s amusement—I plant my feet, keep my thumb outside my fist, twist my body slightly, and throw my weight behind my punch. I hear and feel a crack as my knuckles hit her nose.
She screams out a cry as she falls to the floor, and I curse, “Dammit, crap, shit, Trick didn’t say it would hurt me too,” as I shake my hand.
“Fuck’s sake, Trick,” Bellamy says, but I hear the chuckle in his voice while my dad outright laughs.
