Kiss Me, Dancer
Page 24
“His son will be living with his mother in Germany now that the Got Moves contest is over. I assure you, Drew is building that place for you.”
Casey stood and paced back and forth, something inside her ready to burst. She needed to move, to run, to dance. “You’re a dreamer, Parker. Maybe that’s the kind of thing you would do, but Drew’s more practical.”
“Practical? I know a bit about construction and Drew is sinking an outrageous amount of cash into a place that will probably never earn a profit.”
“Especially if it’s run by the likes of me. Which is why I’m going to take my share of the Got Moves prize money and leave town. I don’t want to be here anymore.”
“What?”
“I’ve decided to tell Drew I can’t do it.”
“He’ll be crushed if you tell him you don’t want that studio.”
“I doubt that. I’ll miss my students, but Drew will probably find someone a lot better than me to teach them.”
“There isn’t anyone better than you, Casey.”
“Oh, please. I’m a B-lister on all counts.”
Parker made a growling sound in his throat. “How come you’re so strong when you’re going to bat for other people, but when it comes to yourself you fold? You’ve been doing this your whole life. Throwing in the towel even when you’re winning.”
“Winning? You mean the Cove Corps? The kids did that.”
“The kids? Who taught them, rehearsed them, choreographed the dances and directed the whole project? You created the win, Casey. You.” He stood and looked down at her. “But that’s just for starters. You’ve also succeeded in getting the kind of studio you’ve always wanted and winning the love of a top dog like Drew Byrne.”
“Don’t you get it? Drew doesn’t love me!” She whipped around so fast the end of her unzipped hoodie snapped across a low shelf where Casey had put a few things she’d dug out of her storage boxes when Parker made this room for her. Something flew off and crashed on the rugless floor.
She looked down and saw the shattered pieces of the blue unicorn her father had given her just before he died.
Casey ran from the room, tears clouding her eyes. She snatched up her key ring plus an envelope that sat on the table and raced outside.
Parker followed her out of the room, and when he noticed she’d taken the envelope with the keys to the Escalade he barreled after her.
But Casey was already in the driver’s seat revving the engine. She took a quick glance in the rear view at Parker’s truck, slipped into reverse and gently touched the gas.
And heard a loud, metallic crunch.
“Shit!” Casey hit the brakes, put it in Drive and tore out of the yard, biting her lip against a steady stream of curses and tears.
She turned onto Route 48 and drove. No idea where she would go. Didn’t matter. She just needed the feeling of motion.
But when Casey slowed at the first main intersection she heard that familiar whooping sound and noticed the multicolored strobe of a police car.
It pulled up alongside her. The cop who came to her window was Officer Jimmy Boy McCauley. An old high school wrestling star she’d once had a teenage crush on — until the night he polished off a case of Bud and mooned half the population of North Fork from the back seat of his best friend’s car.
“Casey Richardson. I’ve been hearing a lot about you lately. Saw the kids on TV. Congrats. Even my little Aubrey wants to take lessons now.”
“Thanks, Jimmy. Nice to see you.” Of course she was wearing her rattiest hoodie and probably had dirt smeared on her face from wiping her tears after working all day in the greenhouse. She could guess what was coming.
“Hate to tell you, Casey, but you’ve got a busted taillight.”
“I know. I’ll take care of it.”
He wrote up a slip and handed it to her. “Sorry, but I’ve got to give you this warning. Fix it within two weeks, and you won’t be fined.”
“Will do.”
“Great car, by the way.”
“Hey, nothing like a shiny new car with a busted taillight.”
“One of the prizes from the show? I know it’s not from a rich husband.” He laughed at what he obviously thought was a great joke. “Everybody from the old high school crowd says you live alone in the dance studio with your cats.”
She mumbled something about being out at Parker’s farm and drove off into the night, wishing she could be alone in her dance studio right now.
And suddenly Casey knew where she needed to go.
Within minutes she parked in a weed filled lot behind the massive building that was soon to be the North Cove Performing Arts Academy. She walked through the dark to the side door and fumbled with the studio keys she kept on her New York Yankees keychain alongside those for Parker’s house.
She stepped into a short hallway that was pitch black. Careful not to trip on any tools that might have been left on the floor by the workmen, she brushed her hand along the wall, found a light switch and flicked it on. Enough light to almost make her life seem bright again. Like dancing on a beach.
As Casey made her way from the smaller studios created by new walls, to the office, the dressing rooms and finally to the enormous main studio, conflicting emotions battled inside. Parker was right. Even in the days when she was an aspiring performer she’d dreamed of having a school like this. Truth was, she didn’t like the life a professional dancer had to lead, spending weeks at a time on the road, fretting over gaining a couple pounds, vying for roles, competing for rank and dealing with company politics.
Sometimes her sister amazed her the way she could take it all in stride. Maybe it was because Jenna grew up with Casey and Parker always there for her as stand-in parents, while Casey’s world fell to pieces when her dad died and alcohol turned her mother into someone she no longer recognized. Whatever the reason, Casey had discovered what she really needed was peace and warmth and seeing the glow on kids’ faces when they learned something new.
Of course she wished she could have her own children, too, with a man who loved her passionately. She’d once had silly fantasies of Drew being that man. Now all that was left was their business partnership, and Casey knew she had to end that as well. She could never handle working with Drew if it meant seeing him with other women — especially if he fell as hopelessly in love with someone else as she had with him.
Turning around, Casey admitted to herself that she adored this place. She gazed up at the astoundingly high ceiling with the narrow skylight windows Drew had suggested. Tonight sparkling dots of stars peeked through. The dance floor had not yet been sanded. A few strips of plywood and other debris lay scattered. Casey cleared the floor and then used a push broom on it. She retrieved the workmen’s old paint and plaster smeared boom box and turned it on.
She tossed her hoodie to the side and began to dance in her jeans and sneakers. At first she just swayed and chugged and floated her arms around. But between the music’s driving beat and the questions screaming in her head, Casey’s body surged into bigger, faster and harder movement. She soared and leaped and turned, rolling to the floor and bounding upward, arms reaching wide. Propelling her body like a bullet through the vast space.
Losing herself in a rapturous delirium of dance.
***
When Drew saw a phone call coming in from Richardson’s Landscape Gardening and Lawncare his fears immediately went to Casey. He’d thought their last argument was the reason she wasn’t returning his calls, but now he freaked, imagining her in the hospital. Or worse.
“Parker?”
“Do you really care about my sister or not?”
“Yeah, I do. Is she in trouble? Did something happen?”
“Casey thinks you’ve moved on to somebody else now. Is that true?”
“Is that why she won’t return my calls?”
“Answer me, please.”
“I’m not seeing anyone.”
“Are you still in love with Casey?”
“She’s crazy in love with you.”
The awful knot that Drew had been carrying around in his gut suddenly released. “And me with her.”
“I hope you mean it, because if you hurt my sister, I swear—”
“For your information I’m not the only one who’s pulled some bad moves.”
“I know. She told me.”
“So what’s this all about? Where is she?”
“Casey’s thinking of leaving town. Thinks you could find somebody better than her to run the studio.”
“What? The whole thing is for her. I wanted her to—”
“I told her that. But she doesn’t believe it. Or that you’d want her. She was really distraught and went driving off in the Escalade.”
“Don’t tell me she had an accident?” Drew panicked at the thought of losing Casey. Especially now that he finally knew she loved him.
“She’s okay. I followed her. But I decided you’re the one Casey needs to see now. Not me. She went to the new studio. Doesn’t surprise me. Growing up together I’d often find her dancing alone in the cellar when she was upset.”
“I’m there. Call me if anything changes.”
He grabbed the flowers he’d bought for his date tonight and raced to his father’s wing. The live-in nurse told Drew his dad was asleep and assured him she had his cell number is she needed him. On the drive to the North Fork he called Brendan’s mother when Josh didn’t answer his cell.
“How’s my boy doing at the sleepover party? He’s not picking up.”
“Stop worrying. Josh is fine. And you’re going to have to learn they don’t like to be embarrassed by calls from their parents.”
The saddest part was now that Drew was learning how to be a good father to Josh, Heather would soon take him away. Josh had called his mother last night about winning the Got Moves season. Heather had clearly been less than happy to hear it, since it came with Josh’s request to extend his stay. A surprise from his son that rewarded Drew in so many ways.
He reached the building in North Cove about seven o’clock. Relieved to see the red Cadillac SUV still parked there, Drew rushed inside and heard music coming from the main studio. He crept through the dim hall and stood in the shadows watching her.
He’d only witnessed Casey demonstrating short techniques in front of her classes or rehearsals. Never saw her dance full out like this. Her fire, her beauty and the sheer power of her moves took his breath away. And made his heart swell.
This was the woman he loved. The only one he ever wanted.
***
The sound of applause snapped Casey out of her swirling dance.
A tall figure stepped out of the shadows. Drew Byrne.
What was it about him that made her pulse go wild the minute he came close? And why did he always have to look so darn gorgeous? Especially when she stood here with wild hair and no makeup, all sweaty and raw after dancing her butt off for the better part of an hour. “What are you doing here?”
“Looking for you.”
“Yeah, well, here I am.” She shuffled to the box and flicked it off. “Hope you don’t mind me making personal use of your building.”
“It’s your building, too.”
“Not hardly. In fact, I need to talk to you.” She turned to him. Unable to keep her eyes on his, she looked at her hands while formulating her words. “I know I agreed to run the academy, but you could easily find someone much more—”
“It’s yours because I put your name on the property deed right next to mine.”
“What?” Did she hear him right? “Wh-why would you do that?”
He didn’t answer her, but instead walked closer with a cocky sort of half smile, almost as if he were stalking her. “I have a question about something you said when you pretended to be Madame Lumina.”
Casey rubbed her temples. “I’m sorry, Drew. I know it was dumb. And cowardly. I should’ve—”
“Just answer me this. Did you really pick those cards that pointed to my getting married? Or did you make that up?”
“Yeah, I pulled those cards. So?”
“Interesting prediction.”
Oh no. Hadn’t she cried enough for one day? All she needed was for Drew to tell her he was engaged to this special person Jenna had mentioned. Which reminded her… “Didn’t you tell my sister you had a date tonight?”
“Yeah, that’s right.” Drew held out a bouquet of pink roses.
Casey stepped back. “I don’t get it.”
“I was talking about you. Don’t you remember? That first night on my boat? You agreed to go out for a Got Moves celebration dinner when it was over. Win, lose or draw.”
Her mouth opened, but nothing came out.
Drew placed the flowers in her hands. “If you’d been willing to talk to me yesterday or answer my calls today I could have reminded you.” He stepped closer. “I’m in love with you, Casey.”
Her breath caught. “Me? You love me?”
“Thought I was immune to that kind of thing. But you came along and everything changed.”
Casey stared at him, hardly believing what she heard.
“Don’t leave me standing here, Casey. I’m only half alive without you.”
She let the roses fall and flung her arms around him. Drew held her close and showered her with kisses.
“Drew, I’m so in love with you I can’t think straight.”
“Maybe this will help.” Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a small, square, felt-covered box.
Her hands shook as she opened it and saw a ring of woven gold with a series of diamonds leading to one large stone. Could it possibly mean…?
He dropped to one knee and took her hand. “Pardon me if I suck at this, but I never thought I’d ever hear myself say these words. Casey, will you marry me?”
Her eyes wet with tears, she murmured, “Oh, yes. Yes, Drew, I will.”
Drew pulled her onto his knee, but she kissed him so fiercely they fell to the floor, laughing and rolling in each other’s arms.
And they were very, very late for dinner.
Epilogue
The first televised show of the new Got Moves season aired on January sixth. Casey and Drew held a gala party that night to celebrate the Cove Corps as well as the opening of the North Cove Academy of Performing Arts. They decked the completely renovated building with flowers and balloons, a display of the Got Moves trophy, long tables of food made by Natalie’s catering company, an area for games, and of course for dancing.
Guests filled the place to the max. Students and their families, friends and supporters, locals excited about the new arts center in their town. Andrew Sr. looking peachy again and a little slimmer with the heart healthy diet Casey had put him on. Of course Jiao was there, as well as Natalie and Parker, who’d been her support all along. Drew’s trusty cornerman Keith and his wife Lizzie. Even Trevor arrived with his new girlfriend. And Casey’s mother actually seemed impressed. No, she didn’t tell Casey that. But Jenna did.
The Cove Corps gave a brief performance. And, yes, Josh was part of it. Drew’s ex-wife had agreed to let the boy live with his dad in America this year, thanks to the fact that Drew now had a wife and Josh a doting stepmother.
Drew had bought an estate in the North Fork right near the Sound. Just outside of North Cove. Casey and Josh could bike to the studio and to the beach. Drew’s father, who called Casey his lucky star ever since she saved his life, moved into his own private wing.
At the height of the party Drew slid an arm around Casey’s waist and pulled her into the director’s office. He handed her a giftwrapped package. “I found this a couple weeks ago, but thought I’d wait for tonight. You’ll see why.”
She tore off the wrapping and opened the box to see a frosted crystal blue unicorn with a fairy riding on its back. She looked up. “I can’t believe you found another one.”
“Been looking for weeks.”
It was just like the one her dad had given her when he used to say, “Listen to the dreams in your heart.” Yes, Dad, you were right.
Setting the unicorn on her desk next to the little plaque Josh had given her that read, “Director, North Cove Performing Arts Academy,” she turned and hugged the husband she loved so much.
When they rejoined the party, Parker waved her over to where he stood talking with Natalie.
After making a champagne toast to the new school, Natalie turned to Parker. Her pitch heightened an extra notch for Casey’s benefit. “Tell me, Parker. Ever know someone who went by the name of Calamity Richardson?”
“Hmmm. Not sure.” He turned to Casey. “What about you, little sister? That name ring a bell?”
Casey shook her head and traded a kiss with Drew. “Never heard of her.”
About the Authors
In addition to being part of today’s Indie author movement, Alicia and Roy are traditionally published. In 2009 they received a Daphne Du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense. They both share backgrounds in the performing arts. Alicia spent years as a dancer, choreographer and teacher. Roy in theater and standup comedy. Alicia is a chronic reader of every genre including the classics. She also loves old black-and-white movies, making organic soups from recipes she invents, working out and, of course, dancing. Roy’s into sweaty workouts, too, as well as watching boxing on HBO and eating Alicia’s organic soups. Their cat’s name is Wallace, an orange ten-pounder who’s crazy over pizza. He and Roy do slices every Friday night.
“…a husband and wife writing team that has managed to capture the best in both men’s and women’s fiction…”
—Romance Junkies
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