Defiant Princess (Boys of Oak Park Prep #2) - Callie Rose Page 0,38
I could never quite figure out why.”
“And then she left?”
He nodded. “Eventually. She stayed for about a year, and things got worse and worse. The company fell apart. Her relationships crumbled. She said things to your mother, to me, that were—” His dull blue eyes were glassy as he blinked quickly. “But still. We should’ve tried to stop her. Should’ve tried to find her. She needed help, mental and emotional help, and we were too angry to see it.”
Philip trailed off, gazing at the table but not really seeming to see it.
“Grandpa.” The word felt strange on my tongue. “Are you okay?”
He jerked out of his thoughts, lifting his head to look at me again. “Oh. Of course. I’m fine. Fine.”
We talked for another hour, and he let me guide the conversation entirely. There was no question I asked that he refused to answer, and as we stood up to leave, he thanked me for coming. His face was still drawn and wan, but a little spark of light had returned to his eyes as we spoke, and when he asked if I would meet him again sometime, I told him I’d think about it.
He offered to drive me back to campus, but I refused.
The whole ride back though, I stared out the window, my mind whirling with thoughts of my mother, of my grandparents, of the Princes and their families.
I found myself thinking about forgiveness and resentment, and who holding onto anger really hurts the most.
Chapter 10
My leg lifted gracefully in the air, and I held onto the barre lightly, keeping my spine long and my neck relaxed. I’d been practicing every day since the first week of school, and the work I’d been putting in showed.
But I needed more. I needed a company, a teacher, and an ensemble to challenge me.
An idea had been growing in my mind since the moment the judge had released part of my trust to me. Jacqueline had forbidden me from pursuing dance professionally, but she didn’t get to have a say in that anymore.
I could do whatever I wanted.
A company in L.A., the Pacific Contemporary Ballet, would be holding auditions for chorus members for their resident company in December, and I had set myself a goal—be ready to audition by that time. It wasn’t an audition for a prima spot, but that was okay. I wasn’t there yet. But getting into a good company with great dancers would be the push that might get me there someday. And if I got in, I could finish the year at Oak Park and then start right after school ended.
It was a thought that terrified and excited me—stepping up to really pursue my dream—but the excitement far outweighed the fear.
Maintaining control, I lowered my leg in a graceful arc, smiling at my reflection in the mirror as I did. My conversation with Philip two days ago had been playing on a constant loop in my mind, but the dance studio was my little haven away from all those thoughts and worries.
I switched legs, progressing through a series of movements, but froze when I heard the door open behind me.
Finn?
An irrational excitement and an equal anger rose in my chest, but when I glanced at the mirror, I saw Oliver slipping into the room behind me. The tension in my shoulders dissipated, replaced by mild irritation. I’d mentioned to him on our last date that I used this room to dance during gym, but I hadn’t meant it as an invitation to join me.
This was my haven.
My escape.
My freedom.
“Hey.” He grinned, running a hand through his curly dark hair. “I slipped away from the volleyball game—thought I’d come up and see some of your moves.”
“I was just about to take a break, actually,” I said evasively.
“Oh.” His grin widened as he crossed the small space toward me. “Well, that’s even better. I didn’t really want to see you dance anyway.”
My brows pulled together, and I turned to face him, the irritation at his interruption shifting to annoyance. Dance was what I loved, and he made it sound stupid.
“Well, then, you shouldn’t have come up.” I put my hands on my hips, taking a deep breath. A small trickle of sweat worked its way down between my breasts.
Oliver’s gaze tracked over my black leotard and bare legs, and he pursed his lips slightly. “Nah. It was definitely worth it. I don’t need to see you dance to enjoy the view.”