The Gritty Truth (The Whiskeys Dark Knights at Peaceful Harbor #7) - Melissa Foster Page 0,85

sink and leaned against the counter as she began placing strips of dough over one of the pies and weaving them to create lattice. “But you said you like teaching the kids that they can shine no matter what. Don’t they deserve to see you, as their mentor, doing just that?”

She kept her eyes trained on the pie. “Did Elisa ask you to talk me into it?”

“No, and that’s not my intent. But she did tell me how hard you worked to become so good at dancing, and I know you said you don’t want to bring others down, but I keep thinking that seeing you dance can’t help but lift those kids up.”

She continued working with the dough, remaining silent.

“Is there more to this than just not being perfect or bringing others down?” he asked. “Because you’re perfect to me, and Elisa said you’re still head and shoulders above any dancer she’s ever worked with.”

“You have no idea what it’s like to have to basically learn to walk again, much less dance.”

His chest constricted. “You’re right, but I know how hard it is to face something much bigger than me every day of my life and to make a conscious choice to beat it no matter what the cost or embarrassment. Because my dream is to remain drug free, and I’ll die before I’ll let anything drag me back into that hellhole.”

She lifted her eyes to his and said, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that. I know how hard recovery is.”

“Then open up to me, baby.” He reached for her hand, drawing her into his arms, and said, “You pushed through rehabilitation for a reason, and you’ve taken on the challenge of a lifetime with me, which proves you’re not the kind of person who shies away from them.” He kissed her forehead. “I will support you one hundred percent either way. I just want to understand your decision.”

Without a word, she went back to weaving the dough. She remained silent until she was almost finished with both pies, and then, speaking softly, she said, “Physical therapy was so hard, Quincy. It really took a toll on me. I fought with everything I had to regain my mobility and flexibility. But it was like swimming against the current. I’d make strides, then fall back because it hurt too badly to keep going.” Her voice escalated angrily, but it was not loud. “I struggled with depression, which was so foreign to me, I swear it took everything I had just to keep my head above water. I thought I’d never dance again, and that terrified me, because without dance, I had no idea who I would be.”

“That’s understandable. Every time I thought about getting clean, I was terrified about who I’d be without drugs. But after I blew off Bear, I had no one to take the other side of the rope, no light at the end of the beast-infested tunnel to remind me why the fight was worth it.”

She put the pies in the oven, avoiding his gaze as she set the timer.

“But you, babe,” he said, taking her in his arms again, making her see him. “You’ve thrived. You have the world at your fingertips, and you’re not alone. You have the support of me and all our friends, of Elisa, Angela, and all those little girls who look up to you as their guiding light. I wish you’d give it a shot and not put those dreams you worked so hard for away for good.”

“It’s not that easy. Dance has always been my guiding light, my stronghold,” she said, using the same words he used to describe Truman. “It’s always been something that has consistently made me happy, and the thought of being humiliated onstage will absolutely ruin that for me. I know myself, Quincy. Once that happens, I’ll never get that joy of dancing back. But right now I have it, even if I’m only dancing for myself between classes or after work, and I’m okay with keeping dance for myself and teaching. I don’t get anxious when I teach, but every time I even think about getting up onstage, I fill with anxiety that my leg will give out or my foot or hip will hurt.”

“That’s how you felt around me, remember? You were okay texting, but you were nervous with me in person.”

She nodded, smiling.

“And look how good we are together. You’re human, babe. If you get up onstage and your hip