she wanted to say something but wouldn’t let herself.
“You going to tell me what’s on your mind? Can’t say I like seeing the way your brows pinch. The crease is back.” The crease was a tell that something bothered her.
“You don’t want to hear it, Theo.”
I crossed my arms over my chest, eyeing her in disbelief. “Try me.”
“I was thinking that you’re a good man, and that I’m glad you’re in my life.” Her delivery was soft as she looked up at me, her lips neutral as we locked eyes. “I owe you a lot for what you’ve done for me all these years.”
This time, it was me who remained silent.
“That’s all,” she whispered.
Chapter Five
Della
As soon as the door opened from the crowded hallway to the side stairwell, I inhaled a breath of fresh air that wasn’t littered with Chanel perfume, marijuana, or some other odor. Rounding the corner that lead to the first floor of the Freidman Art Center, I stopped in my tracks when three familiar faces appeared directly in my path and blocking me from passing.
“Adele,” Lauren Atwell greeted with the usual tight smile she’d give competition. I used to think it was genuine, but I’d learned better over the years from dancing alongside her.
Jamie Miller and Ophelia Wright were directly beside her, both looking less intimating and more welcoming than their pack leader. I gave them both small smiles, but only Jamie returned it. “Hey, Della.”
Lauren all but glared at Jamie’s kind response. I barely refrained from rolling my eyes before she caught me. “We’ve missed you at practice. There was talk that you may even be coming back.”
Talk that started because of Sophie, no doubt, but I didn’t call her out on it. “I heard the new girls are doing well. Sounds like there’s a lot of competition this year.”
Ophelia opened her mouth to speak, but Lauren cut her off. “They’re okay, but obviously not as good as the seasoned dancers. So, is it true? Are you coming back?”
Sighing, I adjusted the floral bag draped around my arm. It wasn’t as big as most backpacks I’d seen others have but held what little materials I needed for the semester. “No, it isn’t. If you don’t mind, I really need to get going.”
“Ah, yes. To the art department.” The way she said it made my eye want to twitch, but I held back. Her tone was no different than Sophie’s, and it bothered me more than I liked it to. Lauren’s opinion shouldn’t matter. Sophie was family, so the bubble of disappointment that appeared when I saw disapproval in her eye made sense. Lauren was just somebody who loved getting under my skin, and I hated that I let her so easily. “I heard you were honing your talents elsewhere. It’s a shame. I liked having actual competition.”
Jamie and Ophelia’s frowns were evident to everybody but Lauren. I was tempted to say that she had competition standing right beside her, which wouldn’t have been untrue. I did hear that Jamie had begun training harder to earn a better spot in recitals, and Ophelia always had the kind of natural talent that would take her far if she really wanted it to. Their mothers never pushed them as hard as Lauren’s did with her, so their training wasn’t as vigorous.
“Like I said,” I told her quietly, “I need to go. It was good seeing you guys.” I made a point to look at Jamie and Ophelia when I said that, giving them smiles that they both returned with head bobs.
When I sidestepped Jamie and escaped, I heard Lauren snap at them. I felt bad, but Jamie and Ophelia were old enough to decide who they wanted to be friends with. Once I stepped into the open first floor, I was immediately pulled into a hard side that smelled like lemon drops and mischief. I eyed my best friend as he grinned at me like he was innocent. “I was going to rescue you when I saw the shark enter, but Lauren scares me, and I got a papercut earlier, so she’d be able to smell my fear like blood.”
I playfully elbowed him, but he didn’t seem to care. “You fed me to her willingly then? Some friend you are.”
“Did I mention I’m sorry about the party and tell you how much I love you?”
“Yes, to both. Multiple times.” He had apologized profusely about what had happened. I told him what Theo said about being drugged, and the