Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 59521 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 298(@200wpm)___ 238(@250wpm)___ 198(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59521 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 298(@200wpm)___ 238(@250wpm)___ 198(@300wpm)
It isn’t dedication to him, it’s control.
Brady does the thing where his tongue clicks against the roof of his mouth and it is clear he has plenty to say, but chooses not to. Instead, he just throws his hands up and stalks into his little glass office. I don’t bother saying goodbye. I grab my bag, wipe the sweat from my shoulders and face, and make for the back doors before anyone else stops me.
Out in the hallway, I run into the only people in the world I actually want to see. Not just teammates, but my best friends. Tatiana scrolls on her phone, her long black hair swaying down near her lower back as she leans against the wall. Her lashes are thick enough to make her eyes look bigger than they are, and when she looks up, the beautiful, slanted shape reminds me that her oriental background only makes her that much more spectacular.
Next to her, Aggie stands, her long, thick red hair tied up, curling around her shoulders. Her skin, more pale today than usual, glistens under the dull light, telling me she just had a difficult practice, too. She looks up at me when I walk out, her emerald green eyes pinning me, and then softening when she realizes I’m alone.
Nobody likes to talk with Brady around.
“Brady was in quite the mood today,” Aggie mumbles. “For once, I was glad not to have him.”
I snort. “He is less than pleased we are going away.”
We start toward the locker room, muscle memory guiding us past all the trophies lining the wall. My name on three of them. My father’s name on the brass plaque above all of it, for ‘generosity and support.’
Tati rolls her eyes, walking with such grace it’s almost like she’s gliding. “Gosh, he is such a bitch sometimes.”
She’s not wrong.
The three of us sink down onto the old worn bench, letting the aching silence fill up our lungs. Then it’s Tatiana who finally says, “You packed yet?”
I exhale. We’re all supposed to be excited about this ridiculous trip, which still makes very little sense to me. It is without a doubt some kind of publicity stunt. We’re going on a private yacht, for a week of luxury relaxation, and yet I’m more than sure when we get there, we’ll be greeted by some unknown surprise.
“Almost,” I lie. “Still narrowing down what to bring. Considering they’re not really giving details other than luxury yacht, it makes it difficult.”
Aggie sighs, leaning back. “Well, I don’t plan on getting out of my bikini. I can’t believe we’re taking Rachel and Iris, though. Your dad knows those two hate us, right? They’ll probably throw us off the yacht in the middle of the ocean.”
I laugh, tying my hair. “Oh, trust me, I’ve made it known I’m not happy about it but they’re on the ‘team’ which means we don’t have a choice. But don’t worry, I’ll be throwing them over the side long before they get their hands on me.”
We all laugh, and for a second, it almost feels like we’re just girls. Not investments, or trophies, or elite athletes. Just normal, everyday girls about to go on a vacation.
If only.
“Well, I am looking forward to the break,” Tati says, stretching her legs out. “Considering I got kicked out of lead.”
“Yeah, that’s nuts,” I frown. “Did the board tell you why you got kicked out of such a big role?”
Tati’s face changes, just a hint. “Not really. They just said it wasn’t the right fit for me.”
“Well, it is a good chance for Aggie to show her skill,” I throw in.
Tati smiles. “Yeah, of course. You’re an incredible dancer, Aggie. You deserve it.”
Aggie pushes to her feet, not answering. I know she feels like she has taken something away from Tatiana, and she doesn’t like talking about it, but she deserves a chance, too.
“I should get packing,” she claps her hands together. “I am kind of excited, I won’t lie.”
“Yeah, I should, too,” I say, pushing to my feet. “I will see you girls in the morning.”
I leave the studio, and by the time I reach home it’s past sunset, the sky a streak of orange above the gates. My family’s house glows from every window, but inside it always feels cold, like a hotel nobody really lives in. I sling my bag by the front door and try to creep up the marble staircase without making a noise. I don’t want to talk to anyone.
I should know that’s not possible.
Rounding the corner, I pause and see my mother is sprawled on the white velvet sofa, a crystal wine glass in her hand. She is halfway through a phone call, the voice on the other end some friend that she absolutely will call another friend about and say awful things as soon as she hangs up. There is no loyalty in her world. None.