Page 91 of Love is a Dance Step
Drew walked toward the table, eyeing the chair in question. Melanie gave him a knowing look. “Lola wasn’t feeling well, so one of the drivers took her back to the hotel.”
There was no excuse he could make that wouldn’t raise suspicions, so he dropped into the chair next to the senator.
Over the next hour, he barely tasted the filet he ate and talked idly to the powerful man at his side. He checked the time on his phone, wanting to get out of there as soon as he could.
Dessert was an array of cheesecakes and mousses. The sugar sat like lead in his stomach. As the after-dinner dancing began, Drew rose from his chair and set his napkin on the table. Rounding the group, he held a hand out to Senator Warner. “Senator, thank you for inviting us tonight.” He dropped his voice. “I’ve initiated a transfer for my donation. I hope it helps.”
“You are a good man, Drew.”
“A good man who is on a long tour. I’m afraid I must head back to the hotel. We leave early tomorrow for New York.”
The senator released him. “Of course. I hope to see you next time we’re both in California.”
Drew dipped his head once before turning and striding from the room. Footsteps sounded against the floor as someone chased after him.
“Drew.” Brooke sounded out of breath. “Wait, I’m coming with you.”
He couldn’t very well tell her no, so when they reached a black town car, he opened the door for her before the driver could get out. As soon as he slid in next to her, he realized how much she must have had to drink.
He settled into his seat and fastened his seatbelt, and Brooke leaned into him.
“Why haven’t we ever hooked up, Drew?” She looked up, her eyelids drooping as she almost fell over sideways, barely catching herself.
Leah would have chastised him for putting himself in this position. It wasn’t the first advance Brooke had made toward him, and it probably wouldn’t be the last. He’d never outright told her they weren’t going to happen.
And right now, as her fingers trailed his thigh, those words garbled in his throat.
“Drew,” she cooed.
Drew met the driver’s eyes in the rearview mirror, and he wished no one else had to see Brooke like this. She’d be embarrassed in the morning.
Pressing his hand over hers, he removed her fingers. “Because I have rules, Brooke.” Rules he’d now broken twice with Lola.
“And no one has to know we broke them.” She fiddled with his bow tie as her words slurred. “Just this once.”
He swallowed. “Brooke.”
“I know you want me.”
At one point he had. Brooke made herself available, and he’d had to keep himself from giving in to her flirtations. Brooke was beautiful and talented and smart, but she wasn’t Lola. He tucked a piece of hair behind her ear and cupped her cheek as he met her gaze. “We aren’t going to happen, Brooke. I’m sorry if that hurts you, but I have to be a professional.”
Her shoulders slumped, and she withdrew her hands. “That’s what I thought you’d say. Why do you have to be so nice, Drew?” Her voice trailed off as her eyelids grew heavier.
He watched her slump in her seat, sliding sideways to lean on him as she closed her eyes.
He released a sigh but didn’t push her off him. Most of his dancers went out to parties after concerts, they drank and probably did harder substances, but Brooke was on a level of her own. It surprised him when she showed up to practices sober.
This lifestyle wasn’t for everyone. Some people could handle it with flying colors. Others needed support to get through it like he got from Rockstars Anonymous.
And there were many who let this world devour them heart and soul until there was nothing left.
Drew refused to be one of those people.
The car pulled up outside the back entrance to the hotel, the one Drew used to avoid any paparazzi. His door opened, and the driver looked on in concern. “Do you need help with her, Mr. Stone?”
“I can handle it. Thank you.” He climbed out of the car and leaned back in to lift Brooke into his arms. He’d barely made it two feet before a flash went off.
Turning as quickly as he could with his load, he searched the surrounding night for a photographer but saw no one.
