Page 82 of Going for Gold (Sweet Cravings 3)

I guess this is really happening. I'm going to do a strip dance in front of the entire world.

Chapter 33

Sunday

Bryce

I didn't know how early Tim had left for the arena that morning, but when I got to the locker room, it became clear he had been there for hours. He had folded each backup dancer's outfit in front of their locker and left a hand written note of encouragement on top.

"Hey, Bryce," said a voice behind me.

I turned around and nearly screamed. Tim was dressed from head to toe in a super tight American flag morph suit. I couldn't see any of him, just his silhouette covered in an Americ

an flag.

"What do you think?" he asked. The tone of his voice told me he was probably grinning like an idiot under the morph suit.

"I think it's creepy as hell. Why didn't you just pick some normal pants and a button down or something?"

"All the backup dancers being silhouettes will shine a spotlight on Kristen's beauty. I think they turned out awesome."

"If you say so. Are you still feeling confident?"

Tim put a hand on my shoulder. "Bryce, trust me. Kristen is going to win gold and Em is going to be fine."

"I hope you're right."

"I am. Kristen knows all the moves and the dance is choreographed especially for the judges. It's going to be perfect."

I heard the door to the locker room swing open. Tim looked at the clock.

"The other dancers are even arriving early. I knew I was teaching them well, but..." Tim stopped dead in the middle of his sentence.

I turned to see why. Kristen was standing behind me. Using crutches.

"Guys, I can't perform. I sprained my ankle," said Kristen.

Tim laughed. "Nice try, Kristen, but I'm not falling for that."

Kristen shook her head. "I wish I was joking, but I'm not. I twisted my ankle during the rehearsal this morning."

"This is a disaster," Tim said. He looked a little pale.

"Alina knows the dance," Kristen said. "She's going to kill it."

"No, it's not that. I'm sure she'll do great." He stared at me for a second. "It's just...I think I'm gonna be sick," muttered Tim. He started to unzip his morph suit as he ran towards the bathroom.

"Oh God, I hope he gets that thing off in time," said Kristen. "And by the way, what the hell is he wearing?"

"That, unfortunately, is what the backup dancers will all be wearing," I said.

Kristen scrunched up her face. "Weird."

"So you really can't perform?"

"Nope. I can't put any weight on my ankle. Alina's going to do awesome though."

"You think she's ready for it? I'm just worried about her going against Gabriela so soon after that bullshit yesterday. Those fucking refs..."

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