Page 89 of Rookie Season
I’m not letting my past dictate my future anymore.
In an instant, my fears all melt away, the voices silenced by his presence. His belief in me. I smile back.
And then, I begin to dance like nobody’s watching…except him.
CHAPTER 37
NOAH
Ally walksonto center stage looking tense. She glances out into the auditorium, trepidation written across her face. But then she finds me, and her shoulders relax. So do mine. I wink, but I don’t know if she can see it.
She doesn’t look away from me until her music begins and she focuses on the stage beneath her as she gracefully points her toes. The spotlight hits her and seems to make her come to life as it shines and sparkles off of the glittery fabric of her leo. Ally strikes a pose to start her dance then moves her body to the cadence of the song.
Penn squeezes my arm. “She’s starting!”
As if I hadn’t noticed.
Fisher rests his head on my opposite shoulder.
How the hell did I end up in between these two morons?But even as I roll my eyes, a smile teases my lips. I’m glad they’re here with me, that we’re all supporting Ally. The four of us are feeling more and more like our own little home away from home now that I’ve shared more of my life with them and been more honest. I find that I don’t mind allowing them in as much as I thought I would. I actuallyfeel lighter, like I have more people to help me carry the daily burdens that I once held inside.
The guys quiet as Ally’s dance continues. I’m holding my breath, and I think Fisher and Penn are, as well. We all want her to do well.
There are several people seated at a table in front of the stage jotting down notes as Ally dances.
The music reaches a crescendo and Ally’s movements pick up; she twirls impossibly fast before contorting her body in a way that I never could. She leaps across the stage, not making a sound when she lands.
I watch with bated breath as she absolutely kills her routine. I can feel the emotions running through her with each movement, each arch of her back, each extension of her legs. Tears prick my eyes at the overwhelming joy of watching her. The woman I love, doing what she loves. She has more passion inside of her pinky finger than most people have in their entire being…and she’s all mine.
Watching her do her thing makes me even more excited to meet her parents when they visit this weekend. I can’t wait to meet the people who raised such an incredibly strong woman. I’ve found myself wondering over the past few days if Carter and Lana Mae will like me. I really hope so—because I know my mom and dad would’ve loved Ally.
The music finally slows, and Ally’s movements grow softer, quieter—until she stops completely in the same pose her dance began with, her arms poised gracefully above her head and her toes pointed. Her chest rises and falls quickly with exertion, but there’s a gleam in her eyes that tells me she knows just how good she was. That she killed it.
The three of us jump out of our seats and applaud, even though no one else has applauded for anyone. Fisher whistles loudly and Penn shouts, “Hell yeah, Ally!”
Her eyes search the auditorium, and when she finds me again, her face breaks into a wide, beautiful grin. She has to squint since the spotlight is still shining on her, but she waves as she exits the stage.
Our raucous cheering has drawn the attention of the three people in front taking notes, and they turn to stare at us. I’m about to shush the other guys, worried our disruptiveness will be a point against Ally, but that’s when I notice a man around my age sitting next to one of the older ladies, also looking our way. I hadn’t seen him sitting there before, but something about him has the hair on my neck standing on end.
I glance over at Penn, who’s planted himself back in his seat, then Fisher, who has turned a ghostly shade of white. As my friend’s eyes lock with the strange man’s, his entire body goes rigid. A whispered swear comes out of Fisher’s mouth, so low I barely hear it.
My gaze goes from Fisher to the strange man and then back again, taking in their silent battle. The spotlight turns off as they await the next dancer, and this makes it even easier to make out the details of the man Fisher is staring at.
Then it dawns on me, like a punch to the gut. I’m not sure how I know it’s him, but I do…I can feel it in my bones.
“That’s him, isn’t it?” I ask, not even recognizing my own strangled voice.
Fisher’s jaw tics. “Yes. That’s Tyler.”
Tyler.I didn’t know the name of Ally’s attacker until now, and the sound of it coming out of Fisher’s mouth fills me with a rage so white hot, I can hardly think.
Penn stands to get a view of what’s going on, and his focus lands on Tyler. “Who the hell is Tyler and why are we pissed at him?” He looks at me, and his eyes widen. “You look ready to commit murder.”
“I am.” I take a small step to exit our row, head still swimming with rage, but Fisher grabs my arm to stop me, yanking me back.
“Don’t, Downsby.”
“He deserves to pay,” I hiss through gritted teeth, trying to shake Fisher off me.
