The Enemy - Kelsey Clayton Page 0,61
look carved from stone, doing nothing to hide the fact that I'm checking him out. Then, I bring my gaze back up to meet his.
“I guess you'll never know.”
I LOOK AROUND THE studio, watching as the soon-to-be new owner notes changes they're going to make with their designer. It's surreal to me, being as I've been dancing here for years. I can't imagine what it's going to be like when this place is no longer here. When I can't come here just to let off some steam and dance my heart out.
Sure, I have the studio in my basement, but this place was always a safe haven for me. I used to love coming here with Brady and Savannah, and just having as much fun as we could. I can't even count the number of dances that have been choreographed in this room, let alone the rest.
“This sucks. Why is your mom selling it again?”
Brady shrugs while looking through his playlist. “Because she's been doing this since she was twenty-two years old. She wants to retire, and I didn't want to take it over.”
“But why not? You'd be great at it. I mean, you practically run this place as it is.”
He chuckles. “Maybe the grown kids, sure, but my mom gave them the groundwork as children in lessons.”
Okay, I guess that makes sense. Still, it's going to suck to see this place go. If I wasn't on my way to Juilliard, I'd take it off her hands. This town needs a good dance studio, and this one was the best around. Mrs. Laurence did an amazing job at creating a happy place for everyone.
“All right, enough of the pity party,” Brady announces. “I have something that will cheer you up.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “I have the stepbrother from hell, and my favorite place in the world is closing. Somehow, I doubt that.”
“Damn, Brady. Her lack of confidence in you is a bit disappointing.” A familiar voice echoes through the room.
Brady's grin widens as I turn around and see none other than Savannah Montgomery behind me. I squeal and run into her arms. She giggles, hugging me back.
Savannah and I have always been Mrs. Laurence's favorite dancers—though I've always believed she's much better than I am. When in the same age categories, we always took silver and gold together. After she graduated last year and moved across the country to attend Juilliard, we've lost touch, and I've missed her.
“What are you doing here?”
She goes over to give Brady a hug. “Did you think I'd actually miss the closing recital of this place? I've been coming here since I was seven.”
I snicker. “Okay, good point.”
In all fairness, Sav and Brady have been here much longer than I have. My dad hired a private dance teacher for me, and I learned the basics in my studio at home. However, when she no longer had anything to teach me, I begged my dad to let me come here instead. He was hesitant at first, but eventually he caved, and I got what I wanted.
“So, tell me about this stepbrother from hell,” she says.
I groan loudly, making Brady laugh. “Where do I even begin?”
I SHOULDN'T BE SURPRISED when I pull up to my house and see a party going on inside. It seems all Cade knows how to do is invite people over and drink an overwhelming amount of alcohol. Savannah glances out the window from the passenger seat of Brady's Escalade.
“Uh, Len?” she asks. “Why are there like a million people at your house?”
Sighing, I unbuckle my seatbelt. “Because Cade throws a party almost every fucking day.”
She looks over at Brady, and the two of them have an unspoken conversation with only eye-contact and facial expressions. With a determined nod, she unbuckles her seatbelt and Brady puts the car in park.
“What are you two doing?”
Sav takes out her phone and puts it to her ear. “Hey babe. There's a party at Lennon's, so I'm staying here for a bit. Come if you want.”
Brady turns around to face me. “We can’t let you face him alone. Not after the shit he pulled at the last party.”
They have a point, and this may be why I love them so much. I send a quick text to Tessa, telling her to come and bring Asher and Colby if she wants, then the three of us get out of the car. If he wants to continue to throw parties, I'm going to enjoy them. Fuck