Forbidden Dance

n the auditorium, going through potential dancers that had tried out tonight. And while his words are harsh, I

about her inability to loosen up. She seemed insecure on the stage, wary, like if she messed up it would be the end for her. It was clear to me th

s dark out now, and very few people are still walking around. Home for us is a ramshackle house off

d immediately go to the living room and collapse on the worn and tattered leather couch as Theo goes into the kitchen and returns a moment late

nks,

prob

between Theo and me. It’s the first time he’s really spoke

Theo and Mark. “We’ve been looking specifically for a ballet

e with me and then shuts it

ow to loosen up. I’m telling you guys, if we shut the door on this girl now, we’re going to regret it. It’s time to step up our game if we have any chance of winning this competition. Ever since we lost Sasha to Xander’s team, we haven’t been the same.” My eyes

oking pensive. “She’s trouble,” he says. “I know it doesn’t seem

him. “She intimidates us. But as long as none of us fall for

dn’t pay me to hook up with an uptight bitch like her,” he

d be the difference between winning and losin

ng like it does when something is pissing him off. “Why not just send her to the school dance t

enough for the school team,” I insist.

mands. “She thought she was trying out for that stup

uard. It’s almost ten at night, and a dark expression crosses over

Devil,” he mut

’s bound to be trouble. Then again, the trouble hasn’t stopped since Sasha ditched u

oothingly, his dark brows furr

k, and I have been friends since middle school, and Sasha is just as much a sister to Mark and me as she is to Theo. We’ve always b

moment’s hesitation. “You can stay at our place tonight. Just stay where you are and give us ten minutes.” H

“She said he hit her.” Theo takes a deep breath that sounds more like a g

ck seat. “I hope he’s back by the time we get there beca

lly abused Sasha, and so long as she stays with the asshole, it won’t be the last. But we’ve all tried to get

p trying. Pro

f a group of people hovering around an SUV in the otherwise near-empty lot. I recognize Xander immediately. He’s sitting on the hood with his arm around a girl that isn’t Sasha, and h

as we approach. “If it isn’t the

” Theo seethes. “W

to him the bottle of liquor. “We got into a litt

bble?” Theo demands.

r dramatic crisis your crazy sister is going

s some sort of king they’re sworn to protect. On the other side of me, Mark’s lip curls up in a snarl that sends a shiver of apprehen

steadily, stepping in front of Ma

though she hasn’t slept or eaten a proper meal in days. At first glance, she otherwise appears untouched, but I catch si

eyes on his sister. “Y

nks,

ll her. “You’re spendi

nto the pockets of his jacket as he wheels around to look at Sasha, and then at us. There’s a glint in his eye that al

l over her,” Theo snarls, his fists clenching and

s. She freezes at once, her tired eyes conflicted, body tense wi

fine. I’ll stay here tonight. I was just a lit

ys, ignoring her plea. “W

ne who has been sitting inside the SUV smoking a joint this entire time flicks on the stereo and t

happening her

a little bit, as the rest of Xander’s crew rise to

gging his jacket off and letting it fal

l my adrenaline spike, and I begin to move, my body responding to the rhythm as I let the music guide me into the chaos of this battle. My arms fly up, my legs kicking out in a series of sharp, precise movements. Xander steps back, his eyes glinting, watching me. A momen

uid and controlled as he matches me step for step. We circle each other, our e

mit, my body moving in ways I haven’t attempted in months. With each passing second, the intensity grows. We dance harder, faster, ea

but we all know who won this battle. I can feel the energy coursing through my veins as I step

ension is palpable as the parking lot falls silent, the only sound the low

” I tell

back seat of my car. Xander’s eyes are on her back the whole time, and I don’t like the way he’s

ack around and swings his fist forward, hitting Xander square in the jaw. The guy stumbles backward with a shout, blo

filthy hands to yourself next time, asshole, or

o the car. Xander gives us the finger as we pull away, and the ride ho

king his head as he holds his sister. “He’

answering. Tears fill her eyes as my

s weakly, and Mark huffs and

I tell her. “One day he might hurt you

et it get

evident, and my heart skips a beat for him. We all love Sasha,

ntly as she once did. “I like my team, and I love

and race inside. Sasha goes straight to the fridge for a beer, and we do the same before taki

?” Sasha asks as she takes a si

e, and Sasha looks at me. I shrug.

guys want

e as if to tell me to keep my

ellent,” I admit. “But Mark an

lancing at the other

insist. “I thin

their eyes. “She’s going to be trouble,”

ree hours a day to rival you at nationals.” She pauses, looking between us. “He’d kill me if he knew I was spilling the beans to you, but I’d

“We beat them last year. Why w

ecause I’m on th

ys. He’s teasing, but I can se

he's the key to our success, and I can't deny that I'm attracted to her, but

t to get hard under the blankets. It’s been a long time since

h is next to me in bed, her long, slender legs wrapped around my waist, plump pink lips kissing my

egade dancer. And if we’re l

otepad from my backpack, the one that has Faith’s name and phone number on it from the

am if you’re still interested.

, hoping for a quick answer but knowing I probably won’t get one. Just as I’m abou

hink a