Page 19 of Love is a Dance Step
“Leah? She’ll be okay. Shin splints.”
Lola winced. She’d gotten those once before and knew how painful they could be. She could be back dancing in a few weeks, but not at the level she’d need to for Drew’s concerts. “How long is she out?”
“They’re saying it could be three to six months. The tour has been put on hold for a week or two while they get a new lead dancer in. Leah flew back to L.A. today with her girlfriend. I feel bad for the kid. She’s been with Drew a long time. It killed her to leave the tour.”
“That’s awful.” Lola couldn’t imagine. “I hope Drew is able to continue because they were magic together.”
He smiled. “They really were.” He nudged his daughter with his foot. “Get up, Pen. We have to get home. Your mother is holding off dinner for us, and you know your sisters get hangry.”
Penny laughed as she got to her feet. “You calling Ash my sister now? He’s the worst of them all.”
“You’re welcome to join us for dinner, Lola.”
Mr. Stone’s eyes were so kind, his words kinder, and the thought of going home to an empty house held little appeal.
But then, she thought of Asher and his childish jealousy of Drew. If he wanted her back in his life, he’d have to realize he couldn’t control her. “Sorry, Mr. Stone, I have plans. Tell Nora and Lizzy I said hi.”
“Will do, kiddo. Have a good night.”
“You too.”
She watched them go and then joined Lauren in picking up the room, mopping the floor, and cleaning off the mirror. Lauren never expected her to stay to clean at night, but it beat going home and watching Netflix alone.
7
Drew
Drew pounded a fist on the table. “I call this meeting of Rockstars Anonymous to order.”
Jo groaned. “Do you have to do that every time?”
Noah rubbed Jo’s arm. “It’s okay, Joey. Let him have his pretend gavel banging so he feels important.”
Drew crossed his arms. “I am important.”
Ben snorted. “Sure, man.”
Only Dax and Melanie remained silent. This was the group Drew had started relying on more than anyone. Five rock stars and a publicist. There had to be a joke in there somewhere.
“Mel.” He pouted. “Are you going to let them talk to me like that?”
Melanie smirked. “Hush, Drew. Let’s get started. I know why I’m here. The label sent me to get this tour back up and running. Noah and Jo are part of said tour. But Ben, Dax you can’t just skip out on your obligations to the label.”
Dax shrugged. “They’ll survive.”
Ben nodded. “Drew needed us.”
Drew pressed a hand over his heart. “I’m touched.” He’d been in a panic when he picked Ben and Dax up from the airport after receiving the news Leah couldn’t continue on with the tour. She was part of him, of his concerts. But having his friends around, other people who got what a tour was like, helped.
Melanie sighed. She’d gotten good at wrangling the five of them, and her exasperation wasn’t real. Drew knew she loved them. “Anyone want coffee?” He scooted his chair back and stood. The RA meeting took place in the living room of his Gulf City home, a house he spent way too little time in.
“Got any decaf?” Jo asked.
Noah laughed. “Drew? Decaf?”
But Noah didn’t know him at all. He’d had decaf delivered with his groceries specifically for Jo. “Sure do.” He sent her a wink before sauntering to the kitchen.
He knew what the world thought of him, of the all-American rock star who sometimes took his shirt off on stage and had been linked to more Hollywood girls than he could count. Fact check: he hadn’t dated a single one of them.
