Page 21 of Dance Dirty With Me

Breakfast is a largely silent affair. My dad keeps glancing my way, alternating between frowning at me and giving me a look of disappointment. I don’t regret that I wanted to help Penny, and I wish he could see it that way.

I shift on my seat. I’m uncomfortable, achy. It’s kind of a good ache, a reminder of last night, but I wish there was someone I could ask if it’s normal, or what’s to be expected. I suppose I’ll have to figure it out for myself. I shift again and Lisa shoots me a look, one that has questions attached. Oh god, what if she can tell? Do I look different now? I hope not. I keep my head down, hoping to avoid anyone’s notice.

“Good morning. Jake, can I sign you up to play in the golf tournament on Friday?” I look up to see Max and Nicola.

My dad puts down his knife and fork and gives me another of his looks. “No, we’re leaving tomorrow morning.”

The heads of my mum and sister snap round like they’re on strings.

“What’s this?” my mum asks.

“We’re going to beat the weekend traffic.”

“Jake, but we’re paid up for the full week,” my mum points out.

“I’ve made up my mind.”

“Daddy, no!” exclaims Lisa. “It’s the final of the beauty competition this weekend. You know how much I want to be Miss Poplins.”

My dad looks at her and his expression softens.

“I guess we can stay till then,” he says.

“Daddy, thank you,” Lisa says excitedly, jumping up and going around the table to hug him.

Nicola turns to me and asks, “Baby, can you help me with some scenery for the big show at the weekend? It’s our end of season finale.”

“Yes he can.” My dad answers for me, and then leaves the table without giving me another look, with Lisa dancing after him and giving him all the details of what she’ll be wearing for the beauty competition.

Any thoughts I had of escaping Nicola are gone and I almost groan at her beaming smile.

“This is going to be great,” she says, linking her arm through mine and leading me towards a small building behind the ballroom. “Every year I get to run our end of season show and I’ve got some excellent ideas for this year.”

For the next few hours I help Nicola sort through the scenery from previous seasons while she makes a decision on whether or not to use it or to modify any pieces. Then she sets me to work painting some wooden trees to look like palms, as the theme for the beauty competition is tropical. Eventually I manage to leave her, but not before she’s made me promise to help again tomorrow.

When I get back to our cabin, there’s no one around. I stand in front of the small mirror in the room I share with Lisa and strip my T-shirt off. I turn from side to side, looking at myself, trying to decide if I look any different. I don’t. I look like the same pretty weedy person I was yesterday. I just feel different. I raise my hands and touch my nipples, marveling at how turned on I was when Johnny was licking them, how they hardened. Just running my fingers over them and thinking about him makes them firm, and that’s not the only effect as my dick starts to harden as well.

Lisa bursts through the door. “What are you doing?” she asks scornfully. I spin away from her so she can’t see me, and hurriedly pull my T-shirt back on.

“Boys are weird,” she states, and takes my place in front of the mirror and starts brushing her hair.

“Anyway, what happened? What’s got dad in such a funk that he’d want to go home?”

“I have no idea.” I collapse onto my bed with the intention of resting and hopefully catching up on some sleep before dinner.

“I don’t believe you. Something’s going on and it’s to do with you.”

I’m not surprised she’s noticed how dad is with me. He’s never been like that before, but then I’ve never lied to himlike this. I still think I did the right thing, but there’s no way I’m telling Lisa.

“I can’t tell you.” I turn away from her and face the wall, hoping she’ll leave it alone.

“I knew it,” she crows. “When did you become so secretive?”

I don’t answer. I’ve been keeping a secret from my family ever since I knew I was different and that I preferred men. This seems like nothing compared to that.

She gives an infuriated sigh, knowing I’m not going to say any more, and deploys her usual tactic, which is to talk about herself. I let her talk, only half listening until I fall asleep.

“I think you’ve been avoiding me.” Vivianne’s brittle voice disturbs my reverie as I stare out of the dance studio windows.

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