My girl was still flying high but I noticed she’d taken off her shoes and was rubbing her lower back. It was still early, barely ten o’clock in the evening but she’d had a long few days and I wanted to get her home.
The school wasn’t opening until the weekend but knowing her she wasn’t going to rest between now and then. And mom was right, there had been more than a few people interested in signing up their kids for classes.
For some reason I thought she was going to be teaching ballet, but from the whispers I heard throughout the night she was offering contemporary dance as well, which I figured was that shit I’d seen her doing. That’s gonna be a problem.
I’m gonna make a big ass sign. No fathers allowed on the premises. I’ve lost my damn mind no doubt about it, but if any of the men here tonight show up back around here in the future people are gonna get fucked up.
I told her that shit as we headed downstairs for the exit and she laughed and called me crazy like she thought I was playing with her ass. “You not doing
that dance in public.”
“Where do you think I learned it?” This was your idea Max, this is what you pushed for. I had to keep reminding myself of that shit on the way out the door.
“Actually it was Sherrie’s idea to offer adult classes. I’d planned on sticking to my four to eights, but believe it or not I got a lot of teenagers and some twenty-somethings who’re interested in taking classes, isn’t that great?” For who?
We stopped outside the door to say our goodbyes when I heard footsteps coming up behind me. I knew who the couple was as soon as I turned around and saw them.
When Travis came to stand on the other side of her protectively I was sure that it was their father and his new wife. This motherfucker! Am I being tested? Is that it?
I made a move towards them but she pulled me back by my sleeve. “No Max, leave them.” They noticed us coming out the door and made a beeline in our direction. “Hello Belle, Travis.”
He wore a smile on his face while his wife looked me over with a sickening smile on her face. “Didn’t I tell you not to come near them?” I wanted to knock him on his ass, especially when she tried to disappear into my side.
“I just want to talk.”
“And I told you she’ll talk when she’s ready. How did you find this place anyway?”
‘That’s not important, Travis we need to talk.”
“We’re not doing this here…”
“It’s okay Max I’ll talk to him. But you leave my brother out of this. Travis go on home with momma Sophie.”
When did she start calling my mother that? She kissed her brother’s cheek and pushed him towards mom. “I’m not leaving. If he has anything to say he can say it to both of us.”
I need this shit. “Why don’t we all go back inside.” That was Tony’s suggestion as he walked back to the door and held it open. I didn’t want to talk about shit, but maybe this was best for the two of them.
Looks like shit wasn’t waiting for me to get around to it, that shit had decided to find me. “Is this what you really want?” She nodded her answer and I followed her back inside and upstairs to the school, which was the only place not in use.
I sent the cleaning crew away and glared at her asshole father when it looked like he wanted me to walk away. “Speak!” Well damn! I don’t think I ever heard that voice before. Her hand was shaking in mine and I gave it a little squeeze to offer strength.
Why would he do this shit tonight? Does the man ever think about anyone else but himself? Selfish fuck. “I think this needs to stay between us.” He looked around at the rest of us like he thought he was running shit.
He’s out his fucking mind. I was keeping myself in check for her sake, but if he got on my nerves I just might take out all my frustrations on his dumb ass.
“You can say whatever you have to say in front of them. They’re family.” There was some kind of electricity running through her, I could feel it in the hand I held in mine.
Just like a few days ago when she’d been hurt, she had me on one side and her brother on the other. Mom and Tony hovered like they were ready to swoop in at the first sign of trouble and I’m sure Trevor was holding onto Sherrie.
I never asked Anna what she’d shared with Sherrie but knowing my sister I’m pretty sure she was up to date with shit. “Why don’t we all sit down and…”