Page 15 of On Dancer
Looking up from setting up the game, Rudy met my gaze with a surprisingly firm stare. “Perhaps because the truth can hurt?”
“Point.” I groaned before rolling the dice to see who would go first. “I don’t mean to be painfully blunt.”
“Even good intentions can lead to hurt feelings,” Rudy said sagely. “But there’s room in the world for those like you who tell it like it is.”
“Yeah. Guess I’m more of a rip-the-Band-Aid-off person. And more goal-driven than emotion-driven. I don’t have time for regrets.”
“None?” Rudy shook his head, expression far sadder than my own pragmatism. “Not even leaving your friends?”
“I’ve left plenty of friends at various schools and ballets. Simply part of the industry.” Calling professional contacts and fellow dancersfriendsmight be stretching the definition, but Ididn’t need Rudy any more sympathetic toward me. “And when I was Victoria’s age, I didn’t dwell on what I was missing by going to boarding school and moving away.”
“Doesn’t mean you didn’t miss out though.” Rudy’s expression was soft. Too soft.
I didn’t require empathy. Having won the initial roll, I turned my first turn into a full-on assault, going after Rudy’s cards with a vengeance and thumping my piece forward.
“Ha. I win that attack.”
“You’re getting good.” Rudy deftly countered with an attack of his own. “You’re ready to try some actualOdysseydecks next.”
I snorted. “I’m not investing in a deck worth more than a nice dinner out, let alone the rent payment-level ones.”
“Luckily, I have decks to spare. And I specialize in cheap decks that can compete with the pricier ones through crafty mechanics.” Rudy didn’t seem at all fazed by my diss of his favorite game. “Want to try one tomorrow night?”
“I suppose it’s that or ice in silence.” I gave a weary shrug like it was a hard choice, but as usual, Rudy saw right through my lukewarm agreement.
“Excellent. I’ll pick a suitably bloodthirsty deck for you.”
“You do that.” And damn if I wasn’t already looking forward to the game.
Eight
Port de bras:use of the arms: a skill that gives ballet its ethereal look and allows dancers to seemingly float along, even while performing athletic feats.
Rudy
“This is your whackiest idea yet.”
Alexander delivered this pronouncement with a tone somewhere between humor and indifference, a combination I was coming to associate with Alexander. Other people might use a more teasing tone, but such familiarity was not for Alexander. However, despite his more formal demeanor, I considered us something close to friends these days, what with our nightly game-playing routine. I had to assume he wouldn’t continue playing if he didn’t enjoy the time together. Alexander wasn’t the sort to indulge others.
Case in point, I’d had to do some fast-talking to get him to the elementary school today, and not even a bribe of an Americanofrom the coffee place near the ballet school had removed his skepticism.
“Irina and Cheryl thought it was a great idea.” I took a sip of my own drink as we waited outside the gymnasium at Hollyberry Elementary. Unlike Alexander and his request for black coffee, I had a pumpkin spice latte with extra whip, making my mood that much less grumpy than his. “And technically, it was Mr. Davis’s idea. I’m simply happy to facilitate.”
Mr. Davis, the third-grade teacher who had coordinated our earlier visit, had invited us back to do a sample ballet class. Irina would be leading the class, while Cheryl and Alexander would demonstrate the basic moves. Irina and Cheryl had wandered down the hall to look at student artwork as we waited, leaving me to listen to Alexander’s grumbles.
“Only for you and your big ideas would I be freezing right now.” With limited space to change at the elementary school, both Alexander and Cheryl were wearing their typical dance clothes under loose-fitting track pants. Alexander had added his wool coat and a jaunty plaid scarf that was undoubtedly designer. “Don’t they heat this place?”
I decided to take the win of “only for you,”and I smiled up at him.
“I’m sure the school district is as short on funds as the ballet school.” I used a reassuring tone, one that usually worked to get Alexander in a less cranky state. That the tone worked made me feel like nothing less than a dragon slayer, felling the mighty beast and rendering him docile. “Irina will make sure your muscles get warm before attempting anything too strenuous with the kids.”
“I’m sure.” Alexander shifted his bag from one shoulder to the other. “And you’re right on this older building likely being expensive for the school district to heat. I’ll stop complaining now.”
“Your cooperation is appreciated.” My mood turned victorious. The dragon was conquered yet again.Only for you. I didn’t have grand delusions of anything other than friendship, but I’d celebrate being able to soothe Alexander.
“Don’t worry.” Alexander gave a half-smile, another win. He raised his regal eyebrows at me. “I’ll take it out on you in the game later.”
“Absolutely.” My grin had to be enough to power the school on its own. My mind raced ahead to which decks to introduce Alexander to tonight.Tonight.Heck. My grin faded. “Heck. It’s Friday.”
