Page 75 of Hooked on a Demon
Rather than tell this to Eliana, though, he rests his cheek on the top of her head and says, “If that’s what you think is best.”
“Thanks.”
* * *
Shortly after their conversation, Declan heads home to check in on Buckley and shower before getting to the shop. Thankfully, as the owner, the only one who can give him shit for being late is himself. And as he parks in the lot behind the building, Declan decides that he’ll be generous this time and give himself a pass.
Shuffling into his office, he drops his wallet and keys on his desk and checks for any messages. After he’s caught up, he heads out to the floor and gets to work. Knowing that Eliana is going to tell Everest has his nerves on edge. He wants to be there to support her. To show Everest that he’s serious—more than serious—about Eliana, but he also respects her decision. So, he’s going to do what he does best—get lost in his work—as a way to distract himself and get through the day as quickly as possible so that he can get back to the woman he loves.
Thankfully, the day is packed with service, keeping Declan busy and his mind occupied. Despite coming in later than usual, it’s soon time for him to head home again, and he does so with glee, perhaps for the first time ever. He loves his work. He looks forward to coming in every day and would stay longer most days if he could really get away with it. But not today. No, today he’s the first one out the door at the shop’s closing, ever grateful that he has staff he can count on to finish what needs to be done.
Practically flinging himself out of his truck, he runs inside, greeted by an excited Buckley. “Hey, Buckatron. Sorry, I didn’t come home last night, but I know you love spending time with Uncle Lachlan and Aunt Petra,” he says, ruffling the pup’s fur. After letting him out, Declan gets Buckley’s dinner together and feeds him, then dashes off to clean himself for the second time today. The last thing he wants is to go to Eliana’s showcase smelling like oil and grime.
Dressing himself in a pair of black dress pants and a soft blue button-up, he pats Buckley again and heads out the door. Checking his watch, he knows he’s going to be cutting it close, but he can’t not get her flowers. He stops at a shop along the way and picks out a bouquet with her favorite gerberas and sunflowers. Bright and hopeful, like her.
He parks across the street, taking the last spot in the lot and jogs across the road, meeting Everest outside.
“Aww, for me? You didn’t have to,” Everest teases, fanning himself like an old-timey lady being courted.
Declan looks down at the flowers in his hand, then back at Everest. “Well, if I’d known you’d appreciate them so much, I would have grabbed you some too.”
“Pssh! I always appreciate gifts.” Declan is happy that Everest seems to be in a better mood compared to yesterday. Or at least he’s doing a great job pretending not to be angry. Whatever the reason for the shift in demeanor, Declan will accept it if it helps tonight go well.
“Valid. Hey, are we… good?” Declan replies as they walk into the building and are directed to their seats.
“Depends, are those for me?” Everest says, his voice dry enough that Declan isn’t sure whether or not to take him seriously.
“Nah, these are for Eliana. Figured she could use them for all the work that she’s put into helping this happen.”
“Shit, you’re probably right.” Everest leads them to their seats, where Cora, Amos, and Kaia are already sitting. “I’m still hurt. I don’t like being lied to, Dec. But Mom wants us here, so… we’re okay.” He says before they do the awkward sideways shuffle to get through the few people at the end, and then finally sit as the lights go down.
Declan can hear the hurt in his friend’s voice. Even so, he appreciates the honesty.
“You wouldn’t mind if we said they are from both of us, would you?” Everest asks, sliding the invisible mask back on and shifting into his regular playful demeanor.
Declan laughs, happy to see his friend being himself, even if it’s a facade. “Fuck that,” he whispers, “You aren’t getting credit for my idea.”
Everest chuckles next to him, but Declan’s eyes are only for the woman walking across the stage. Eliana wears a black leotard, pink tights, and a flowy sheer pink skirt. She is radiant.
The crowd cheers loudly as she raises the microphone, and he joins along with them, happy to share his affection and excitement for her. She waits a moment for the cheers and clapping to settle down before she begins. “Good evening, Leeside. Thank you so much for joining Strike a Pose for our end of season showcase. Our students are so excited to show you what they’ve been working toward all season, so I won’t keep this going too long. We hope you’ll enjoy all the stories to be shared tonight, from the little fireflies to the dramatic reenactments. I am sure you’ll be well entertained. So without further ado, I bring you our opening number,Dance of the Wood Nymphs,performed by our intermediate contemporary class.” The room erupts into applause again as she tips her head in a bow, confidently walks off stage, and is replaced by a group of preteen students dressed as wood faeries.
CHAPTER44
Eliana
The first number finishes, and Eliana helps usher the next group on while Lola introduces them. The other performers continue to get ready, some putting finishing touches on makeup or hair—they really should take out stock in glitter—or doing a final run-through of their set, ensuring they have it all down pat. These kinds of nights are always a kind of organized chaos, but the looks on the children’s faces as they come off the stage are worth it all. All the late night planning, choreographing, scheduling, and so on. She’d do it all again to see the look of pride on their precious little faces.
After the next group goes on, Eliana takes her place to go on next, doing some last-minute stretches in the wings. No one but June knows what she has been planning, but she has been working after hours for the last week, preparing for this. She may not get to dance on the big Hollybrook stages anymore, but after her parents said they were sad that they never got to see her dance, she knew what she needed to do.
A few, too short, minutes later, Zoe’s group of preschoolers come off chattering away excitedly. She gives them all congratulatory high fives as they pass, and then it is time.
“Alright, friends and family. We hope you have enjoyed the show so far.” The audience claps enthusiastically. “But we now have a bit of an interlude. One of our instructors wanted to do something special for her family, who are here today, and so it is my pleasure to introduce our own little star, Eliana Oaks.” June nods to her and then walks to the other side of the stage.
Eliana sucks in a breath and walks onto the stage, the toes of her pointed shoes softly tapping on the wood. The spotlight follows her across, and as she finds her starting position, she looks out to the audience, spotting her family, best friend, and the demon that has helped make all of this possible. Her chest fills with air as the music starts, giving her life and connecting her to a world she has loved for so long. A world she was so scared to leave. But as she looks out, seeing the sheer joy on her mother’s face, she knows that while that injury a year ago may have ended her career in Hollybrook, it’s brought her back home.Which was exactly where she needed to be.
Up on her toes, Eliana feels free. Emoting everything she hasn’t been able to express for months. The pain. The joy. The fear. All of it.
Her arms extend out and contract back in as she spins, and each time her eyes land on Declan. Her center. The force that keeps her steady. That holds her up. The demon she never saw coming and the one she now can’t live without.
