Page 38 of Crash
Tessa
The last two weeks have been tough on me. I go to physical therapy three times a week and the rest I spend at Austin’s doing at home exercises. I never thought in a million years I would be in this situation. Everything was going right for me and my plans. Then, in one instance, it was all wiped away. My folks went to the tow yard and got all my stuff out before the rains came, but Austin has been nonstop in his care for me. He hasn’t once complained about staying up late with me because I’m too wound up to sleep, or even having to help bathe or shower me. I actually think he likes that part. It always leads to sexy time or at least mutual masturbation.
Courtney and the rest of the team have been great too. They send me videos, or we do virtual calls where they show me what they’ve been working on. Today, I’m going to go into the studio and help facilitate a class and watch my troupe rehearse since they are still taking part in the summer in the park extravaganza. I spent all morning trying to find an outfit comfortable for all day wear but still look the part. I settled on a pair of leggings, my bodysuit, and a crop top. I pull my hair into a high bun and wear my little gold studs. My lip gloss is the last of the accessories for me today.
“Wow. Could you look more beautiful?” Austin says, standing in the doorway watching me intently. He comes behind me and nibbles on my neck. The slight stubble on his chin tickles me but feels good at the same time.
“Babe, don’t start. You know it would be hard for me to resist your charm and we’d never get to the studio.”
“And?” he sarcastically replies.
“And I need to be there. To feel something that I yearn for come to life; or at least hope it’s still there.” I hang my head low and not let my emotions overcome me.
He gently massages my neck. “I understand. Do you need me to grab anything?”
“Just my large water bottle from the fridge.” I grab my kneeboard and push off to the living room while he grabs my beverage, his keys and wallet.
“Here hold these real quick. I forgot something,” he says.
He hands me the items and then hoists me up over his shoulder, smacking me on my ass as we jog down the stairs to his truck.
“Austin, damn it,” I giggle.
He pushes the key fob to unlock the door and sits me down.
“That was quite romantic,” I say.
“Just want to put that smile on your face. I’m gonna run upstairs and grab your equipment.” He closes the door and rushes off.
My eyes follow his tight little tushie back up the stairs and back down again. The entire time thinking about what lies beneath those jeans. My mind comes back to reality when he opens the door and climbs in.
“Ready?”
“Um, yeah sure,” I respond, swallowing the collected saliva from my incessant drooling over him.
He starts his Jeep, and we drive to the studio.
“AGAIN,”I exclaim.
“Tess, look. We got this. We’ve been doing this for weeks now. It’s perfect,” Courtney explains.
“No. No, it’s not. Luke’s timing is off, Shar doesn’t have enough pop in her hip dip, and you seem to be dragging on the ending.”
“Well, that’s because I’m mothafuckin’ tired, Tess. We’ve done this like a hundred times today.”
“Yeah, well, I’m a perfectionist so, again.”
They grumble and moan when the music starts from the beginning.
I take my scooter and glide around watching them, making sure the movements are crisp, the body is flexed, and the attitude is stank. Something they should all be used to by now.
None of the greats got to where they are because they were tired. My observation and additional push is what was missing. This time it was perfect. No critical words will come from me. Although, they may have a few.
“Yes, that’s what the fuck I’m talking about. Everybody give yourselves a hand.”
They clap enthusiastically, partly because it’s over, I’m sure.
“Now tomorrow we will work on the finale.”
