“When you’ve been acting like a total douche canoe, yeah, you do.”
He shrugged. “I’m sorry, okay? You know how I get about Drew.”
She sprayed dry shampoo on her roots before sweeping her hair into a ponytail. “I do. I just don’t get it. Your sisters love him. He can’t be that bad. When I talked to him yesterday—”
“You talked to him?” He sat up straighter.
“He wants me to audition at his dance thing today.” She didn’t know why she told him, but someone needed to help her work through her doubts. Whatever Drew thought he saw in her, it wasn’t there.
Asher laughed. Actually laughed. “You? Lo, you’re not a dancer, not a real one anyway. You teach dance. You don’t perform.”
Weren’t those the exact words she’d said to Drew? She wasn’t a dancer, not in the professional sense, but she loved to dance. Yet, when Asher said it, something inside her deflated. “I know.” She turned back to the mirror.
Asher slid from the bed and crossed the room to turn her toward him. “You know I like your dancing, right?” He hadn’t seen her dance in a long time. “But, Lo, there will be professionals there today. They don’t take amateurs on rock tours. I hate being the tough love guy, but you are a great dance teacher, not a great dancer.”
Her shoulders dropped, and she looked away from him. It wasn’t that she thought he was wrong, just that she wished her best friend had even an ounce of faith in her.
He nudged her chin with his thumb. “Stick to business school, aye?”
Just the thought of that made the air rush out of her lungs. Stick to business school. She nodded and shrugged him off her. “I need to get to work.”
“Are we okay, Lo? I don’t want to be mad at you anymore.”
Were they okay? He said he was wrong for getting mad, but she was too tired and too lonely to fight, so she nodded and forced a smile to her lips. “We’re good. See you tonight?”
“I can’t tonight. I have a date. Tomorrow?”
Those words “I have a date” used to send pain spidering through her heart, but for the first time, she was relieved, and she didn’t understand why.
9
Drew
She wasn’t there.
Mystery dance girl hadn’t come.
Drew surveyed the line of dancers wrapped around the side of the building. It was more than he expected when he put out an open call online. He hadn’t thought they’d clog up every area of his dad’s resort. Security kept the dancers off the private beach and away from the pool area and dining room, which were all reserved for their guests.
“We are officially full.” His dad dropped a hand on his shoulder.
“Really?” Gulf City wasn’t a tourism mecca, more of a snow bird paradise, but dancers had flown in from other states with only a day’s notice.
His dad laughed. “Kiddo, you may have just saved our slow season.”
Drew crossed his arms as he marveled at the staff Piper found last minute. They were so efficient, like her, handing out water and instructions. They’d been at this all morning, and Drew’s callback list was so short Piper nearly yelled at him when she saw it.
He tried to stay in the background, watching from a place where he wouldn’t be a distraction. But who was he kidding? Everything about this day was a distraction. Not only was Drew Stone there, but Ben, Noah, Jo, and Dax walked around signing autographs. Well, except Dax. His fans didn’t know what he looked like, so he was able to act like any of Drew’s employees, even going so far as to wear a fake name badge.
“Son, do you really think you’ll find a dancer this way?” His dad shot him a skeptical look.
“Piper says I should. There’s more than enough talent here, but Dad, I’m not only looking for talent.”
“You won’t find another Leah.”
He knew that. On some level, he knew he shouldn’t compare any of these dancers to Leah and the connection he had with her. But he wanted to feel that again, to feel like his leading lady was his partner up on stage and not just playing a part.
A group of dancers went through the steps Brooke had taught them. Drew had his dancers teaching large groups before they auditioned so he could see how quickly they learned.
Piper walked toward him, clipboard in hand as usual. “What about this group?”
Drew studied them closer. “You can add number thirteen to the callback list.”
“That’s it?” Her brow furrowed in disapproval.
He ignored the look and scanned the crowd again. “Any sign of her, Pipes?”
Piper gave him a sad smile. “I know you were hopeful this unknown girl would show up and blow us all away, but Drew, she said she wasn’t a dancer, didn’t she? Maybe what we saw at the studio was a fluke. Maybe it was a dance she’s been working on for years and that’s why it was so good. The truth is, we don’t know. Lauren wouldn’t tell me about her, and I think that says it all right there. The girl doesn’t want this. It’s time to look for someone else.”
On some level, he knew Piper was right. She always was. But the bigger part of him didn’t want to give up hope. He caught sight of Noah chasing Lizzy around, the latter squealing in delight. A group of women looked on with love in their eyes. Fans were strange. They could make themselves believe they loved someone they’d never met, that they and only they had a connection to that person.
He’d had his fair share of over the top fans, as had the rest of the guys. Jo had it worse though. She got a lot of hate from women and creepy stalkerish stuff from dudes.
“Are you even listening to me?” Piper asked, tapping her foot irritably.
Drew’s dad chuckled. “Drew does this, always has, even before he was a hot shot. He gets something on his mind and zones out with that stupid smile on his face.”
Piper poked Drew. “Snap out of it.”
A slow smile spread across Drew’s lips. “Would you hate me if I said I wasn’t listening?”
She sighed. “No, because I’m used to it by now. What I was saying is I think everyone needs a break, you included.”
He rubbed a hand over his jaw. “You’re right. Call it for lunch.”
Piper walked away, and Drew’s dad put a hand on his arm. “Come eat with me. The dining room has a nice patio overlooking the water.”
“I know, Dad. I’ve been coming here my entire life.” His dad had managed the Beach Club since Drew was a baby. He’d run the halls as a kid and spent countless hours at the beach. The place had been like a second home to him.
He followed his dad through the hotel to the balcony and took a seat. A waiter brought them menus and beers. Drew gave his dad a curious look.
His dad shrugged. “They might know my preferences.”
Drew took a sip and let the morning’s stress melt away as he looked out at the sparkling ocean. Sometimes, when he was away, he forgot how beautiful his hometown was. There was no better place.
For some people at least. His mind drifted back to the local studio that taught him to love dance, the one Piper learned was in financial trouble. Later today, they’d host kids from broken homes. It was easy to imagine Gulf City as a place without troubled youths or poverty. Heck, most of the residents did imagine it. They saw the pristine beaches and large houses and nothing else.
“Dad?” Drew kept his gaze out to sea.
“Yeah, son?” His dad looked up from the menu.
“The dance studio… what can you tell me about it?”
He smiled. “Penny loves it, and she’s about to be a teenager, so it’s hard to get her to admit she loves anything. We’ve been having trouble motivating her to work, whether it’s chores or homework. But when she’s dancing, she’s willing to put all of her effort into it. I’ve been so proud of her.”
Drew searched the restaurant for any sign of his mom and Lizzy. Penny and Nora had school, but Lizzy had begged to come.
His dad laughed. “Lizzy won’t want to eat here. Your mom promised her chicken nuggets today.”
“
What can you tell me about Penny’s teacher?”
His smile widened. “She’s young, nineteen, and a friend of Asher’s. But even with her youth, she squeezes every bit of talent and effort out of her students. She’s quite talented herself.”
“Did she ever try to become a professional dancer?”
He chuckled. “No. Our girl didn’t want that life. She’s taking business classes at USF.”
“Business classes?” Why did that feel so wrong? Piper was wrong, what he’d seen wasn’t a fluke. He knew it. She was meant to dance.
“Not everyone can become a superstar, Drew.”
But she was meant to be seen. He knew then he had to find her.
Drew shouldn’t have left the auditions, but he trusted Piper and the Rockstars Anonymous crew to keep going. He pulled up in front of the dance studio and cut the engine before jumping out.
Inside, the studio was empty except for one room he could hear music coming from. It wasn’t one of Noah’s songs like the day before. This was more of a classical ballet tune. It brought back memories of the first ballet class he’d ever taken because he was told it would help with flexibility and strength for hockey.
Was his mystery dancer in that room? He had to know. Opening the door, his heart sank when he found Lauren and a single student. Her eyes found him, and she turned off the music.
“We’re done for today, Tory. Your mom is probably waiting in the parking lot.”
Tory froze when she caught Drew watching them, her mouth falling open. “You’re Drew Stone. Oh my gosh, my friends are going to die. Can I get a picture?” He wasn’t in the mood for a teenage fangirl, but he never said no to the fans. Ever.
So, he forced a smile and posed. She snapped a picture with her phone and squealed.
“Tory.” Lauren put a hand on her back. “Your mother.”
Tory’s smile fell. “Yeah, she’ll get mad if I’m late. I cannot wait to share this all over social.” She practically bounced from the room.
Lauren stopped in front of Drew, her arms crossed. “Aren’t there auditions going on right now?” She’d been a huge help getting the word out by spreading the details on social media through dance circles. He owed her for that.
“I wanted to thank you for your help.”
She shrugged. “I didn’t do it for you. It’s a great opportunity for local dancers.”
“What about your dancers?”
Lauren walked past him, stopping at the front desk. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
“Your instructor. You wouldn’t tell me her name before, but I need to find her.”
“Why?” Distrust shone in her eyes.
“You’re protecting her, I get it. She says she isn’t a dancer, but I didn’t only see what she could do, I felt it. It was only one dance, but I can’t get her out of my head. My lead dancer doesn’t need to be technically perfect. That’s not what makes people watch. She needs to love it, and you can’t tell me that woman isn’t in love with dance.”
Lauren tapped her chin but didn’t respond as she studied him. “My parents claim you’re one of the best students they’ve ever taught.”
He didn’t deny it. If there was anything Drew lacked, it wasn’t confidence. He shrugged.
“I guess I need to thank you too. If you’d continued offering the money to use the studio today, I’d have taken it.” She sighed and rested a hand on the desk. “It’s been a struggle for the last few years, but Gulf City needs this place to stay open.”
He wasn’t sure what this had to do with the girl he needed to find.
“She’s my best teacher, the reason some of these kids show up at all. Are you telling me she has a shot at winning the spot on your tour?”
He nodded. “She’ll have to audition just like anyone else, but when I saw her dance, I knew. I need to dance with her more than I need my next breath.”
The skepticism faded from her eyes, and she smiled. “Lola deserves to know she’s good. I don’t think she believes it.”
“Lola?” That name rang a bell, bringing with it images of a dark haired little girl chasing Asher on her bike.
She nodded. “Lola Ramirez. I’m surprised you haven’t seen her today. She works at the Beach Club and always takes a Friday shift.”
Lola Ramirez. The girl his sisters joked would marry Asher one day.
The one his parents loved.
When he’d talked about her, they’d known who he meant, but they protected her. From what? From him? Or from her own talent?
Drew couldn’t help but wonder if there was a single person who believed in Lola.
Well, there was now.
He thanked Lauren and got back into his car as he dialed Asher’s phone. No answer. He shouldn’t have expected anything else.
He fired off a text to Piper.
Drew: Everything good there?
Piper: I’m adding more names to the callback list.
He chuckled as he threw his phone on the passenger’s seat. It didn’t matter how many names Piper added, not until he saw Lola dance again.
But in order to make that happen, there was someone he had to talk to first.
He pulled up to his parents’ house and walked in without knocking. Nora appeared from her room. “Drew? Shouldn’t you be at the Beach Club?”
“Shouldn’t you be at school?”
“Sick.” She shrugged. It was only then he noticed her flushed cheeks.
“You okay? Can I get you anything?”
She shook her head. “If you didn’t know I was here and the parentals are at the resort…”
“Is Ash home?”
“Yeah, he doesn’t have classes on Fridays. He’s out back by the pool, but he’s not in the best mood.”
“Is he ever?” Asher had always been a moody guy, even when he and Drew were close. Drew slid open the glass doors and stepped outside.
Asher sat on the edge of the pool with his feet hanging over. He didn’t turn. “What do you want?”
“Nice way to talk to your big brother.” He sighed, wishing he hadn’t had to come here. No matter what he’d done over the last couple years, he hadn’t been able to get Asher to talk to him about this anger between them.
Asher grunted. “I’m sorry, I forgot to bow down at the big rock star’s feet.”
“Knock it off.” He’d long suspected it was jealousy changing Asher. Their sisters idolized Drew, but he liked to think it wasn’t because of his fame but merely because he actually cared about them.
Nora crossed her arms. “You guys aren’t going to kill each other, are you?”
“No.” Drew wouldn’t back down now. He needed to know why Lola refused to audition. “I just want to talk about Lola.”
Asher jerked upright and pulled his feet from the pool so he could pivot on his butt and face Drew. “What about her?”
Nora gasped. “You found out it was her.”
“What was her?” Asher scowled.
“He saw her dancing at the studio but didn’t know who it was.”
Drew dropped into an Adirondack chair. “The way she moved… I need to know why she won’t audition to come on tour with me.”
Asher waited a beat before responding. “Not everyone dreams of fancy tours, Drew. Some of us are smarter than that.”
“I’m going to let that slide because you’re my brother and I love you, but Ash, you should have seen her.”
“I have seen her. She’s my best friend. Has been since we were kids. I won’t lose her to you.”
“What? I’m not trying to take her—she’s not a toy, Asher. You know she’s her own person, right? I just want her to dance.”
“She’s not a dancer.”
His words echoed what Lola had said to him, and his insides twisted as he stared into the face of his own brother, the man he now suspected of putting that thought in Lola’s mind. “It’s because of you. She won’t try because you’ve already told her she’ll fail.”
His silence was all the answe
r Drew needed. He pushed to his feet and sent one more scathing look Asher’s way before heading back inside. Nora trailed him.
“How can he call her his best friend if he doesn’t believe in her?” He stopped with his hand on the front door.
Nora ran a tired hand through her hair. “Asher and Lola have a complicated relationship.”
“Sounds like it.” How could a woman with such passion be friends with a man who tried to take it from her?
Nora sighed, and Drew could tell there was some bit of information she held back. “Drew, you need to get her to audition. If you think for one moment she might actually make it, convince her. Lola is going to suffocate in this town, and Asher will be the one using up all her air.”
He hugged Nora with one arm and kissed the top of her head. “Feel better, okay?”
She nodded. “Lola doesn’t think she’s good enough. I think that’s why she clings to Asher. Prove to her that there’s a different kind of life.”
“I’ll try, sis.” He closed the door behind himself, nerves fluttering through him.
He now knew who his mysterious dancer was, but he not only had to convince her to audition, he had to hope she beat out everyone else.
The girl he saw dancing as if her life depended on it deserved more than doubt and worry.
She needed faith, and he’d muster up enough of that for the both of them.
10
Lola
Drew Stone knew her name.
Drew Stone was looking for her.
Lola crouched down in the storage closet so if anyone opened the door, they’d only see stacks of toilet paper and cleaning supplies.
She flattened her palms against her wrinkled uniform as she tried to calm her breathing. She’d been on the phone with Spencer Lee, booking riding lessons at the Lee ranch for a few of their guests, when one of her coworkers rushed in saying Drew had asked about her.
Her. Lola Ramirez—relative nobody.
How did he learn her name?
Her entire body buzzed with nervous energy. She’d spent the day dealing with anxiety-ridden dancers who’d flown in from all across the country for a shot at joining Drew’s tour. It hadn’t made for a fun day.
Love is a Dance Step (Rockstars Anonymous) Page 7
