CHAPTER 20

 

“They know who did it!” Ruby was so angry, her voice was shaking. Cate got up from the chair where Velma had just finished doing her make-up and walked through the maze of corridors backstage until she found one that was empty.

“It was Emily. She was the one who hacked into my computer.”

“What?” Cate gasped. “Why would she even do something like that? I don’t understand.”

“I feel like the biggest fool right now. When my computer kept freezing, I asked Emily if she could fix it. She said she needed my passwords to work out what the problem was and I didn’t even think about it, I just gave them to her. I should probably go out right now and get a tattoo stamped on my forehead which says “IDIOT” in huge, capital letters.”

“You’re not an idiot,” Cate said. “You thought she was your friend.”

“That’s even more of a reason to get that tattoo on my forehead. She only wanted to be my “friend” again after Stepping Out started and she realised that you’re my sister; that should have been a red flag the size of flipping Texas! She kept saying how awesome it was that we look so much alike; you and me, Kian and Nico.”

“Except for Kian’s tattoos,” Cate said, thinking about the definitive proof that it wasn’t her and Kian on that tape.

“If he didn’t have those tattoos…” Ruby said. “The conniving little bitch might have got away with it. How much were they asking for not to release that tape?”

“Kian wouldn’t tell me but I know it was at least six figures.”

Declan appeared at Cate’s side, “there you are, chara. It’s nearly time to go on.”

“Are you going to be OK?” Cate asked Ruby. She didn’t want her sister to be on her own.

“Go, I’ll be fine,” Ruby insisted. “I’m not on my own. I’m at a hotel with Nico. I didn’t bring the laptop this time.” Neither of them laughed but Cate appreciated that Ruby was at least trying to see the funny side of such a horrible situation.

“I’ll call you after the show,” Cate followed Declan back towards the main studio. “I’m flying back to Seattle tonight. I promised Mateo I’d take him to the beach clean-up tomorrow.”

“I miss you,” Ruby sounded tired. “My nephew and nieces are growing up too quickly. You and Liv need to stop feeding them so much.”

“I need to go,” Cate said quickly, “but why don’t you come for a visit? We’d love to have you.”

They had to walk past Vladimir and Poppy to get to their position on the stairs backstage. Vladimir was wearing another unbuttoned shirt, showing off his mouth-watering physique but Cate’s attention was drawn to the ugly curl of his lip. He opened his mouth to say something but Cate cut him off. “Don’t start with me,” she warned, keeping her voice low, “not tonight.”

“First to dance tonight is Cate Warner and her partner, Declan Yates.”

The lights went down in the studio while their VT was played. Cate and Declan got into position, facing each other. “This is your dance, Cate.”

Cate’s lips twitched, “well, I never miss a beat; I’m lightning on my feet, you know?”

Declan laughed, “absolutely. I guess if you go wrong, you can always make the moves up as you go.”

The nerves that had plagued her in previous weeks just weren’t there tonight.

The beat started, Declan gave her a cheeky wink and they were off. For ninety seconds, Cate did what she’d always wanted to; she absolutely “funned the shite” out of that dance. So much so that when the music stopped, she wasn’t ready for it to end.

As she’d flicked her fingers to “shake it off,” it had felt like she was letting go of all the rubbish things that had happened recently – the miscarriage and the sex tape, the paparazzi hounding them at Lola’s school. She was covered in sweat and her heart felt like it was beating furiously out of her chest.

“Yes!” Declan swept her off her feet, spinning her around until the audience blurred into one and she was hopelessly dizzy.

“I’m so proud of you,” Declan whispered into her ear as they walked across to the judges.

Charlene was first. She pushed her chair back and stood up, “tonight, you were a dancer. The audience were right there with you for every one of those ninety seconds. Well done.”

Cate felt her eyes begin to sting and quickly blinked; she absolutely was not going to cry on national TV.

The judges, even curmudgeonly Bruce, gave them straight nines.

“Declan,” the host asked, “I believe that’s your highest score ever on Stepping Out.”

“I think so,” Declan said a little out of breath. “It’s this girl right here, she’s amazing.”

Cate waved her hands, “it’s all because of you.” She looked him straight in the eyes. “Thank you so much.” Those ninety seconds when she could just “shake off” all her problems and jive was one of the best gifts she’d ever been given.

As they walked backstage, Cate bumped into Jax. “How does it feel to be at the dizzy heights of the top of the leader board, sis?”

“What are you doing here?” Cate squealed, giving her brother-in-law a hug.

“I’m performing during the results show,” Jax grinned. “Liv wanted it to be a surprise.”

“I’m so glad you’re here.” Because she was flying home to Seattle straight after the show, they had both decided that it would be best if Kian stayed at home with the children.

“I’ll pick you up after the show,” Jax said as Cate was pushed towards the make-up room.

Cate looked at him quizzically. “I’ll give you a ride home,” he grinned, “I’ve got the record company jet.”

 

“Are you sure you don’t mind?” Cate asked later that night as she stepped aboard the luxurious private jet.

“It’s nice to have some company,” Jax said, fastening his seatbelt.

“Is he OK?” he jerked his head towards Declan. Since he and Cate had got through to next week’s show, Declan was travelling back to Seattle with them. He was on the other side of the aisle, silently staring out of the window.

“He’s missing his wife,” Cate mouthed back.

“I know the feeling,” Jax leaned back in his seat, “if Liv was here right now, we’d be racking up shedloads of loyalty points with the mile-high club.”

“Ew,” Cate wrinkled her nose, “too much information, Jax.”

“Sex is a beautiful thing, sis,” Jax chuckled.

Cate balled up one of the linen napkins and tossed it at Jax. “Those are two words that very definitely should not be in the same sentence, sex and sister.”

“Hey Dec,” Jax called across the aisle. “We’re having a barbecue at our house tomorrow night. You should come?”

“Won’t it be too cold?” Cate asked.

Jax shook his head, “we’ll get heaters. It will be fine. What do you say, Dec?”

“I’m not really in the mood for a party.”

“I didn’t say anything about a party; it’s just a family barbecue, man.” Jax was persistent. “Do you like beer?”

“Yeah.”

“Please God tell me you’re not one of those veggie-munchers like Cate over here?”

Cate rolled her eyes but Declan laughed, “I’m definitely not a veggie-muncher.”

“That’s settled then, you’ve got no excuse not to come to the barbecue,” Jax closed his eyes, “Now if you don’t mind, I’m going to get some sleep. I need to be well-rested when I get home. My wife and I have got a lot of catching up to do.”

“Still gross, Jax,” Cate mock-complained. “Besides, you were only away for one night.”

“That was more than enough,” Jax wiggled his eyebrows, “I’m a very virile young male.”

“Ugh,” Cate pretended to gag, “I think I’m going to vomit.”