Page 76 of Broken

“I hope so. Mondays usually suck.”

I shrugged with an agreeing grin and looked out the window, my fingers tapping a beat against my thigh to the song Leo and I had been practicing for the audition. My smile slid wider at the thought. I still couldn’t believe how understanding he’d been.

“So, Tucker seems like an okay guy,” Leo said as we found a place to park and eat. I was already halfway through my chicken wrap he’d brought me, having dug in as soon as we’d gotten in the car.

Swallowing, I nodded. “He’s really great. I promise. You just keep catching him after drama.”

“I wasn’t being sarcastic.” He popped a shoulder, grabbing his toasted club to join me. “It’s obvious he cares about you a lot. He’s pretty damn big, though. Do I need to worry about him being jealous like the last guy?”

“Not unless you decide to have a thing for me,” I teased.

Leo shook his head. “It’s nothing like that with us, and you know it.”

“Then, you have nothing to worry about.” I grinned. “Hey, I’ve been wanting to check; how’s your solo piece for your audition coming?”

“Good, but I’d love your feedback on it. You think you’ll be back at the studio soon? You look like you’re feeling better.”

“Honestly…probably not as much as I want to be.”

“What? Why?” He sat straight.

I grimaced. “You want to finish your sandwich first?”

“That bad, huh?”

“It’s not great.”

Leo took two large bites, polishing off the first half of his food, and put the rest back in his bag. “Spill.”

I sighed, so not looking forward to this, but he needed to know. I tugged at my hair, pulling it over one shoulder and twisting it into a long column as I found the words to explain. “So, those dizzy spells and everything I’ve been having?” He nodded. “Well, it turns out that I’m actually pregnant.”

Leo’s eyes bulged as he gaped, and his gaze flicked down to my stomach and back again. “You’re…no, Izzy…” He groaned, dropping his head back against his seat in frustration as I ducked my head over my lap. “This can’t be happening. You’re too good!”

I shrugged, my gaze focused on my knees, embarrassed and unwilling to see my friend’s disappointment. “I’m sorry. I only found out about a week or so ago. If it helps, my doctor has cleared me to still dance for now. I just have to be careful and take more breaks. That is, if you stillwantto be my partner. You’ll have to find someone new in the spring, though. I’m due in April.”

It was deathly quiet for a minute, and I thought I was going to go crazy waiting for him to say something. This was almost as bad as when I’d had to wait on that stupid stick.

“Izzy,” Leo said, finally snapping to his senses, his tone demanding my attention. When I braved to look, he continued. “If you think I’m crazy enough to think I can find another dance partner as good as you,you’recrazy. We click. I mean we cango placeskind of click. I don’t care if I have to do solo routines for the spring season, that’s fine, but you’re not quitting, and you’re not giving up that audition.”

“But it’s not like I can still go if I get in.”

“Bullshit. You can do whatever you set your mind to. There are babysitters, you know. I’ll watch the baby myself sometimes if I have to. No, wait, my sister runs a daycare. I’ll talk to her. I know she’ll give you a good rate. I’m not letting you give up on your dream.”

“Holy crap.” I cried as I laughed, wiping tears from my cheeks. “You can’t be serious. You can’t be this awesome.”

“Damn straight, I’m this awesome. Now, where’s that hulk of a boyfriend of yours so I can kick his ass?”

I laughed at the memory and fell into sync to sing with Jet as the next song came on the radio. “So, are you planning anything special for Annie’s birthday?” I asked when the song ended. We were just turning into the parking lot, and Jet left the car on for the heat. It was the first day back after Thanksgiving break, and it wascold.

“It’s like a month away.”

“Like you haven’t been thinking about it for months.” I raised an eyebrow, and Jet grinned.

“Fine, yeah. Tucker and I have both been brainstorming since we’re all coupled up this year, so I really can’t tell you.”

“It’s a surprise?” My face lit up.

“Yep. And y’all will like it. Now, stop bugging me about it,” he scolded, pointing a playful finger at me.

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