CHAPTER 7
“Next to dance tonight is Cate Warner and her professional partner, Declan Yates.”
While their VT was playing on screen, Cate followed Declan on to the shiny dance floor. She felt that familiar warmth coil around her spine and knew that Kian was somewhere in the audience.
“Remember,” Declan looked deep into Cate’s eyes, “it’s just you and me out there, chara.”
Cate positioned herself with her hands on her hips, waiting for the song to start.
“I just hope she can keep better timing when she’s on the dance floor on Saturday night,” Declan’s voice rang out through the quiet studio. Cate’s eyes darted to the screen above their heads. Declan was stood forlornly in an empty dance studio. It looked like Cate had been late or hadn’t turned up for one of their training sessions. She didn’t understand.
The VT stopped and Cate began to panic; her thoughts were clouded by what she’d just seen and heard. She didn’t recognise the studio in the VT; it definitely wasn’t where they’d been training in Seattle.
The only thing she could think of was that Declan had set her up. She cursed herself for being stupid enough to trust him. She desperately wanted to run off the dance floor, get rid of the short, sexy dress, heavy make-up and fake tan and go back home to Seattle. But this was live TV; she couldn’t walk off the show without it becoming a big story.
She heard the opening bars of the song and plastered a fake smile on her face. This was going to be her last dance on Stepping Out. All she had to do was get through the next ninety seconds and then she’d never have to see Declan bloody Yates ever again. “It wasn’t what it looked like,” Declan talked through his teeth, his own fake smile perfectly in place. Cate ignored him. If she had to look at him, she focused on a tiny eyebrow hair of his which needed plucking.
At the end of the routine, he gave her a big hug. “I’m sorry,” he muttered into her hair.
For appearances sake, Cate allowed him to hold her hand as they walked across to the three judges. Charlene, the only female judge, was asked to comment first. “You look stunning, Cate. I think hair, make-up and wardrobe have done a fantastic job tonight.” There was a pause as the audience cheered loudly. “You’ve never danced before, right? I think what happened tonight is that you got so nervous that you attacked the dance a little too much. It’s a scary thing walking out on to that dance floor for the first time. What I would say is, I know it’s hard, but try and listen to the music next time.”
Bruce, the head judge, was asked to comment next. “For me, dancing isn’t just about talent, it’s also about blooming hard work. If you’re serious about staying in this competition, Cate, you need to turn up on time for your training sessions. Declan can’t teach you anything if you’re not there.”
Declan moved as if he was going to say something but Cate stopped him. She didn’t want him to have the opportunity to further boost his public profile by defending her on national TV.
After the third judge had commented on their performance, Cate and Declan were allowed to leave the dance floor and join the other contestants and professionals backstage.
Michel, the veteran of the show, was waiting for them at the top of the stairs. “Good job,” his smile was genuine as he patted Cate’s shoulder.
Declan’s arm felt uncomfortable draped around her waist as they waited for the judges to give their scores. Charlene was first and gave them a six, Bruce gave them a four and Rich gave them a five. Tom, one of the hosts of Stepping Out, asked Cate how she was feeling; the total score of fifteen put them bottom of the leader board. “I’m OK,” Cate lied. “If I’m lucky enough to still be here next week, I know what I’ve got to do.”
“That’s right, folks,” Tom turned to the camera, “if you want your favourites to stay in the competition, you’ve got to make sure you vote for them when the lines open in just a few minutes time.”
As their telephone number flashed up on screen, Declan mimed picking up the phone.
Cate didn’t hold out much hope; nobody was going to vote for somebody who couldn’t be bothered to turn up for training, were they? She couldn’t wait for tonight’s results show. Although it would be shown on TV on Sunday evening, it was filmed after the lines closed on Saturday night. In a couple of hours, this whole circus would be over and she could forget that Stepping Out and Declan slime ball Yates ever existed.
For the rest of the show, Cate avoided Declan. She chatted to Michel, who was just as lovely and funny in real life as he was on screen. This series, he was partnered with Annie, a voluptuous housewife from Arkansas with the most infectious laugh Cate had ever heard.
At the end of the show, Vladimir and Poppy were unsurprisingly top of the leader board. The judges gave their jive eight, nine and nine and although it was the highest score ever for a week one dance, there were loud boos in the studio as the audience thought that they’d been under marked.
“You were amazing out there,” Cate gushed to Poppy as they walked off stage.
“It could have been better,” Poppy shrugged. Cate noticed that she was limping and had a support bandage on her right knee. She really hoped that Vladimir wasn’t pushing her too hard.
“Cate, we need to talk,” Declan gripped her elbow.
Cate spun around, fury powering through her veins. “Get your hands off me right now,” she hissed. “I have absolutely nothing to say to you.”
Before Declan could say anything else, Velma, one of the make-up ladies popped her head out of a doorway. “We need to touch up that make-up, sweets.”
There was so much going on backstage that it was easy to avoid Declan until it was time to film the results show and all the contestants and their professional partners had to line up on the stairs backstage.
“Cate…” Declan tried again.
“Mickey,” Annie had found out that Michel was really Mickey Barclay from New Jersey and insisted on calling him by his real name. “Can you say break a leg to dancers or is that tempting fate?”
Michel rolled his eyes but it was good-natured. “Far be it from me to tell you what to say, sweetheart.”
“I won’t say it then just in case,” Annie winked at Cate. “All the best to you, Cate.”
“You too, Annie,” Cate smiled. When Cate was the first contestant voted off in half an hour, she was really going to miss Michel and Annie.
They stood in their allotted places on the dance floor and the sombre music ratcheted up the tension as they waited for Tom to announce the first couple who were through to next week’s show. Cate badly wanted to laugh; she was supposed to be terrified but she felt anything but. There was absolutely no doubt in her mind that she was going to be the first contestant to leave Stepping Out. She was second from bottom on the judge’s leader board and the only reason she wasn’t bottom was because one of the other contestants had skidded on the floor and crashed into the musical director’s keyboard.
“The first couple through to next week’s show is…” Tom cleared his throat. “It’s Poppy and Vladimir.” There were huge cheers in the audience.
Tom continued reading out the other couples’ names until there were just two left. Cate and Declan and James and Alyssa. Alyssa was Vladimir’s wife.
“The first couple to leave the competition is…” There was silence in the studio. Cate ignored Declan pressed against her side and looked across at Kian.
“It’s James and Alyssa.”
Cate didn’t understand. Why hadn’t they said her name? It must have been a mistake.
“Well done, sweetheart,” Annie reached over and squeezed her hand.
They were led off stage with the rest of the contestants and their professional partners so Tom could talk to James and a clearly stunned Alyssa. “Fix,” Vladimir grunted as he dragged a terrified-looking Poppy past Cate and Annie.
“If I was to get injured and have to leave the competition, would they bring James back?” Cate whispered to Annie.
“Why would you want to do that?” Annie laughed, not realising how serious Cate was. “It’s a hoot this dancing malarkey.”
Cate was still in shock, even after she’d handed back her Kylie dress, removed the heavy stage make-up and brushed all the lacquer from her hair. She quickly got dressed in her favourite, super-soft jeans, t-shirt and ballet pumps and met Kian in front of the studios.
“Hey,” he grinned. He looked gorgeous in his black shirt and trousers. Cate threw herself into his arms. “I’m so glad you’re here.” All of the emotions she’d held in for the last few hours, ever since she’d seen that awful VT right before she’d had to dance on national TV, threatened to come pouring out.
“It’s OK,” Kian kissed her hair, “let’s get you back to the hotel.”
As he led her across the parking lot to the car, Declan called out, “wait!”
Kian glanced at Cate and she shook her head. “Leave her alone,” Kian said, his strong frame shielding his wife from Declan.
“I swear it wasn’t what it looked like,” Declan pleaded. “Let me explain.”
“Not tonight,” Kian said firmly. He helped Cate into the car and then shut the door. Cate leaned back against the soft leather seat and closed her eyes. For the first time since she’d arrived in L.A. she felt like she could breathe properly.
Kian put his hand on her thigh, his fingers pressing into her flesh. “I’m so proud of you, angel.” He leaned forward, the hint of stubble on his jaw rasping deliciously against her soft cheek. “You looked so fucking sexy out there.”