Page 173 of Between Regrets and Promises

Liam flips him off, then proceeds to flip every single one of us the bird.

“What was that you said earlier about etiquette?” I remind him with a wink.

“I hate you all.”

“Mmhmm.” Lennon continues to poke the beast.

Before we can add anything else, the lights flicker, giving the five-minute warning. I look around the room and see it’s packed full. I’m so happy I’m able to be here, supporting Maddie and watching her in something she’s so passionate about. I thinkabout my past and how all of this would’ve been ripped away and stolen from me if things had ended differently.

“You okay?” Mason whispers in my ear as I try to keep my emotions in check.

“Just grateful.” I smile.

The lights lower, the curtains open, and the music begins. The melody starts off slowly and builds to a giant crescendo when the ballet dancers rush forward. Maddie glides across the stage so effortlessly. Though I’ve been watching her perform since baby ballet, there’s something so incredibly mesmerizing about her when she’s doing pointe. The stage is hers, she’s the queen, a true performer, and all eyes in the room are on her, especially Liam’s.

The songs flow together, creating a full show, and though no words are spoken, it’s obvious it’s a performance about two lost lovers, determined to find the other, and Maddie’s the star, the leading lady, fighting all the outside sources to findthe one.

It’s easy to pretend she doesn’t have a smart mouth or isn’t full of sass when she moves across the stage like it’s glass, looking like a porcelain doll with perfect skin. She so effortlessly supports her entire body on one leg as the other extends directly behind her, using the music to draw a reaction from the crowd. Then in a blink, she’s soaring through the air, spinning like an ice skater, willing her legs and arms to complete impossible movements. She extends and bends and so eloquently moves and leans her body in unimaginable ways, and I’m in total awe watching her. Talented doesn’t even begin to describe Maddie. She’s more than that. She’s absolutely incredible.

When she finally gets to be with her lover, a dancer dressed in black rips him away. The music spirals into dark, ominous tones, and the finale begins with a dramatic emotional dance where it’s obvious the man she loves has died. After all the fighting to be together, death ultimately tore him from her.Tears fill my eyes, and Mason interlocks his fingers with mine, rubbing his thumb across the softness of my skin. It’s a simple gesture, and one I appreciate more than he knows. The stage lights turn bright white, and Maddie purposely and dramatically dances to the ground where death takes her too. Finally, the two are able to be together eternally, forever. The emotion behind it all is almost too much for me to handle, but based on the sniffles in the room, I’m not the only one.

I lean toward Mason, wanting to be as close to him as I possibly can. Tears stream down my face as the lover’s dance ends. The stage fades to black, and the curtains close. Before the house lights brighten, I wipe my cheeks. I’m actually speechless. It was the most beautiful dance I’ve ever seen in my life. One of my favorites she’s ever done, and while it was tragic, it was so damn deep and beautiful.

I let out a breath when the curtains open, and the dancers take their bows. Maddie is the last to come out. The crowd goes wild over her, and we all know why. She stole the show, no doubt about that, and should be proud as hell for the emotions she was able to draw from hundreds of people.

“That’s my sister!” I shout, hoping she hears me over the applause as the room gives her a standing ovation.

When her eyes, full of tears and happiness, meet mine, she blows me a kiss and winks at Liam. Laughter escapes me, and I’m so damn honored to call her my sister that I can barely contain myself. She’s a shining star, burning so brightly, and deserves the world. When the curtains close again, we leave the auditorium, and I hope Maddie hurries and changes so she can meet us in the foyer.

When I look at Mason, he’s as taken aback as I am. “Wow.” It’s all he can say.

I glance at Lennon who’s as teary-eyed as I am. “Our sister is a badass,” she says proudly.

Liam’s mouth is hanging wide open, and I lean over and place my finger under his chin to shut it.

“Speechless?” I tease. “Maddie’s really gonna like that.”

We wait for about ten minutes, and as if she was summoned, she comes from behind us wearing a huge smile on her face. “You liked it?”

I go to her and pull her into my arms. “I loved it, and I love you. You were amazing.” She’s worked so hard for this and deserves all the praise she’s receiving.

She rolls her eyes. “You’re just saying that because you have to.”

“I don’t have to,” Mason says, giving her a friendly side hug. “You were incredible, Mads. Like, for real.”

Lennon barrels her way through with her baby bump and pulls Maddie into a big hug. I’m still wiping away tears, but I’m smiling the whole time. While Hunter is giving her all the compliments, she studies Liam.

“Well, Hulk?” She smirks, giving his tie a hard tug. “What’d you think?”

I wondered how long that’d take. Apparently only a couple of minutes.

Liam places his hand on her shoulder, and Maddie melts into a puddle. “You were phenomenal.” He shakes his head. “I really have no words.”

A blush hits her cheeks, and Mason wraps his arm around my body. I lean into him, welcoming his touch as Liam compliments Maddie. She’s eating it up, and it makes me happy that everyone now has seen what Lennon and I have seen for years.

“Thank you,” I tell Mason, squeezing him.

“For what?”

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