Page 25 of Guarded Hearts
Waves of shock and disbelief washed over me. Of course I knew about the clause, but I’d hoped Mia wouldn’t enforce it, especially since Pasha was involved. I’d never thought of anyone ratting us out because nothing was going on.
Or nothinghadbeen going on.
I tucked my hair behind my ears and nodded. “Yeah, you’ve got nothing to worry about. I’m just helping him with the dance.” The lie tasted bitter.
“Cool. Cool. Good talk.” She weaved a few steps away and then turned back. “I hope you’ve had a good night. You deserve it!”
A good night? I didn’t know what I’d call the night I’d had, but the status of tomorrow was crystal clear. Miserable. I’d be miserable. Instead of plotting sexual exploits, I’d be figuring out how to let Pasha down easy. But more than anything, I needed this job. Nothing could jeopardize that.
I closed my eyes. He wasn’t the only one being let down.
Chapter Eleven
Pasha
When Tyler came to get me for our workout, for the first time in weeks, I considered saying “no.” Instead, I’d followed him to the hotel gym, hoping I’d catch a glimpse of Alyssa before our dance session.
I’d tried to find her at the end of the night, but she’d left. Tracking her down in her hotel room hadn’t been an option when Mia had been so drunk. But it had taken all my self-control not to go to Alyssa’s room once Mia was safely back with Tyler. The only thing holding me back had been the hotel room arrangements. I didn’t know if she shared hers with another dancer. We didn’t need people gossiping.
“Mia’s taking a pass on the dance session today,” Tyler said as he alternated bicep curls. “She had a little too much fun at the party.”
At the end of the night, she’d been rambling about something Jazz had said to her. The words had been too slurred to catch anything other than Mia’s annoyance at the dancer. I wasn’t upset about Mia canceling. To get more time with Alyssa and avoid the awkwardness of having Mia present when we saw each other again was a win.
Now that the floodgates had opened, I didn’t have any interest in closing them. Alyssa understood the obsession, the addiction, and she felt it too. Instead of fighting it, maybe the key was to ride it out, let it run its course.
“How was the party last night? Mia was so drunk. I wish I’d told the nanny to stay with Victoria while I went with you.”
Whenever possible, they tried to have one parent with Victoria. They paid the nanny to travel with them, but it was probably the easiest gig on the tour. They very rarely left her unattended if they could divide and conquer. “Too drunk?” I hadn’t neglected my duties last night, but I’d been less attentive than normal last night. Usually, I was at her shoulder, the voice of reason.
Tyler chuckled. “No, a headache today. Nothing terrible. But when she’s had a few drinks, she gets ideas.”
I wasn’t sure I wanted to talk about the kinds of ideas Mia got when she was too drunk. But the way Tyler had ended his sentence made it seem like he needed a sounding board. “Oh?”
“She thinks I should start my own clothing line.”
I settled under the bar of weights on the bench and took a deep breath. “You’d be good. You don’t like it?”
“It’s not that.” Tyler stood above me, ready to spot. I didn’t need him, but I wasn’t going to argue. “We’d have to use her money for the startup costs, and we’d probably operate at a loss at first. The whole thing makes me uncomfortable.”
“When she’s feeling better, you’ll talk.” I lifted the bar and brought it down to my chest and then back up again, over and over.
“You’re in a good mood today.”
I froze, the weights halfway to the bar, and Tyler guided them back on the rack. “I am?”
“Yeah.” Tyler chuckled. “You’re not the most talkative person, but lately it’s been grunts and Russian swear words. I told Mia I thought you needed a break from us.”
I sat up, keeping my back to Tyler, and ran a hand through my damp hair. “Sorry.” I hadn’t realized my internal conflict had been so visible.
“No need to apologize, man. You’ve been with us every day from day one. There’s no shame in needing a break.” He crossed over to the treadmill and stepped on, setting the display. “You seem better today. Everything okay back in Russia? You don’t talk about your home much.”
“Not much to say.” I rose and went to the leg machine, on which I took a seat. “I think I’ll be better now. No need to worry.”
Alyssa felt the same way I did. I was sure we could come to some sort of arrangement that would defuse this tension, keep us satisfied until the tour ended. Just the thought eased the pressure hovering over my chest. We were on the same page.
“Okay, well, if you do need some time to yourself, it’s okay to ask.”
“I’ll be fine,” I said with a nod, and I moved the pin heavier on the machine. “I’m happy.”
