Why don't you Stay ... Forever - Jennifer Ashley Page 0,33
guys excited, Ben scowling, Dean, who is hovering on the edge of the conversation, furious, and Reuben, both triumphant and shamefaced.
The first suit pulls a card from his pocket and hands it to me. “This is us. We’re not the biggest company in L.A., but we’re well known and award-winning. All the best talent wants to dance with us. We’ve decided to sign Reuben, but you’d fit in well, Erin. Consider it.”
The card reads Giles Hutton, President, Central Los Angeles Premier Ballet.
I stare at Reuben, the light dawning. “This is why you wanted to have a bigger part in the show …”
Because he knew these guys were coming, knew they had the potential to offer him a job. So he could kick the dust of Clarice’s company off his feet, as he’s always wanted to, after using it to make him look good.
It’s why he’s been so nice to me, why he sucked up to Ben to talk me in to dancing with him. Why he’s been the model professional dancer all week. The smarmy varmint.
“You—”
Ben cuts me off. “That’s great, man,” he says to Reuben. “Congratulations.”
I gape at him, and so does Dean.
“We’re thrilled,” second suit guy says. “Well, we’ll leave you to get on with it. See you after the show, Barrow.”
Reuben nods to them, shaking their hands. They shake my hand too, the second man squeezing it. “Think about it.” He winks, then moves on.
The three of us are left with Reuben. We face him in silence, watching Reuben grow red under his makeup.
Reuben lifts his hands defensively. “Hey, I need the job. I’m not getting stuck in this hellhole the rest of my life.”
Sounds much more like the Reuben I know.
Dean advances on him. “You little prick. You used Erin to make yourself look good—anyone who dances with her does. She knows how to make you shine. I should break your legs—then no more dancing for you, boyo.”
Reuben takes a worried step back. Dean is about to follow, but Ben stops him.
“No. It’s all good.” Ben gives Dean a hard look, as if saying, Work with me. “I’m glad for you, Reuben. You go kick ass in L.A.”
Reuben, preening at the sudden support, sends Dean a lofty glance. “I will. Now I have costume change. See you onstage.”
“The shit …” Dean begins as Reuben hurries away.
I’ve caught on to what Ben’s doing, and I relax. “No, let him go,” I say. “He’s an asshole and a user and always will be, but if we go with it, then he’ll be an asshole user in another state.”
“Damn straight,” Ben says. He twines his fingers through mine.
Dean’s face smooths out. “Ah, I get it.” He points at Ben and chuckles. “You’re crafty. Great. I’ll go help him pack.”
He takes off down the hall, leaving me relatively alone with Ben.
Ben turns to me, his gaze pinning me until my heart starts fluttering. “What?” I whisper.
He leans closer. “I want to kiss you. All over. And not stop.”
“I’d smear my makeup on you,” I say softly.
“Don’t care.” Ben releases my hand and takes a deliberate step back. “I should go. You still have half a show to do.” He grins. “Make sure Dean doesn’t trip Reuben up there.”
“I will. I want him gone.” I move to Ben and kiss his cheek, leaving a scarlet streak on it.
I want to say, I love you, Ben, but I turn away, running on light feet to my dressing room.
Ben
When I return to my seat, Ryan informs me I have a swipe of lipstick on my cheek, but I have more important things to care about right now. Ryan gives me a bolstering half-hug and lets me go, knowing what’s to come.
It’s show time.
Chapter Eleven
Ben
The second half of the performance passes without me noticing much of it. I’ve seen the show several times now, and I note more places where they’ve changed things to add Reuben.
Dean, I can tell, is pissed off at him. The dance where Dean’s supposed to be aggressive to Reuben is believable. Reuben shrinks from him, and I don’t think he’s acting.
Mostly I’m only interested in Erin. She’s gliding around the stage as though she’s air itself. At one point she’s on tiptoe, spinning and spinning, one leg bent then kicking out, bent then out. Austin elbows me.
“Doesn’t she get dizzy?” he murmurs.
“She knows what she’s doing,” I growl at him.
“She’s awesome.” Austin’s admiration softens my irritation.
She is awesome. Beautiful. Kind. Funny. Generous. I know I’m madly in love with