Grace
I WOKE THE next morning with hamsters banging tiny hammers into my skull. Rolling over I slid my arm around Flea and kissed the back of his neck. “Wake up, Fleabio.”
“Why the fuck are you wakin’ me so early?” he complained, turning to face me.
“I have to get down to PBC in an hour and I know how hard it is for you to wake up to an empty bed.”
He chuckled. “I always live, baby. Feel free to let me sleep next time.”
“No promises.” I sat up and then flopped back down. “My head is killing me.”
“I warned you not to mix.”
“I warned you not to mix,” I mocked.
He leaned over me and smiled. “I’ll make breakfast.”
“Okay, baby, thank you.”
I took a quick shower and dressed, then met Flea in the kitchen. I arrived to find Grams, and Flick, sitting at the kitchen table sipping on a cup of coffee.
“Did they…?”
“No,” Flea said, kissing me quickly and holding up a travel mug. “Coffee.”
“Thank you.” I leaned around him to watch my grandmother. “Are you sure…?”
“Yeah, baby. He was asleep on the sofa when I came in.”
“They could have done the deed and…”
Flea chuckled. “None of our business.”
“What are you two whisperin’ about over there?” Flick asked.
“Nothing,” I said, and rolled my eyes before focusing back on Flea. “I have to go.”
“Text me when you get there.”
“I will,” I promised, and made my way to Grams. “Is Dad coming?”
She shook her head. “Flick’s staying with me.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Oh, really?”
“You gotta go, baby,” Flea warned.
I sighed and leaned down to kiss Grams’ cheek. “I’ll see you later.”
“Okay, sweetpea. Drive safe.”
“I will, Grams.” I focused back on Flea. “Are you going to walk me out?”
“Yep.”
I grabbed my bag and led Flea out to my car. He leaned down and kissed me, seriously making me want to blow off ballet class and climb back into bed with him.
“Stop,” he warned.
“If I don’t, will you spank me again?” I asked in anticipation.
He groaned. Deep in his throat and I smiled, knowing I’d hit my mark. Especially when his mouth landed on mine and his tongue pressed against mine.
I bit his lower lip gently and broke the kiss. “I have to go.”
“Save that ’til later.”
I grinned, kissing him one more time. “I’ll see you at six.”
He patted my bottom and waited for me to get in my car, standing at the top of the driveway as I pulled onto the street. Seriously. I wanted to turn the car right back around.
* * *
Walking into PBC, I heard yelling down the hall and rushed toward the sound. I was early, so I was a little surprised anyone else was here. Most of the dancers rolled in around ten.
I pushed open the door to the practice room and found Remi fighting Vitaly off, and it didn’t look like a dance routine. “Hey!” I snapped, dropping my bag.
My distraction gave Remi the opportunity to knee him in the nuts and get some distance. She ran out of the room and I rushed to follow.
“Remi, wait up.”
She turned on me, tears streaming down her face, her lip bloody and hand prints on her neck.
“What the hell did he do to you?” She shook her head and I wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “Okay, honey, let’s get you out of here.”
I slid my phone out of my pocket and texted Flea as I led Remi toward the parking lot.
“I’ve got my pointes on,” she grumbled, leaning against the wall to untie her toe shoes.
I heard the roar of pipes and frowned. I couldn’t imagine who that could be, considering the compound was at least twenty minutes away and Flea was still at Grams’.
I held my hand out to her. “Don’t move.”
I pushed open the door to see Hatch removing his helmet and dropping it in a saddlebag. He caught my eye and gave me a chin lift. “Hey, Gracie. Heard you had some trouble.”
“How…?”
“I had a couple parts to drop down to Ernie’s. I was close.”
“Shouldn’t you be home with Maisie?”
“Needed to ride, Gracie girl,” he said as he pulled off his gloves and shoved them in the pocket of his leather jacket. “She gets it. What’s goin’ on?”
“I’m not entirely sure,” I admitted, leading him back to Remi. “Remi, this is Hatch. He’s like my dad.”
“You look like you got some injuries,” Hatch observed, and I could tell rage had settled just below the surface of his skin.
“Vitaly thought I was his for the taking. I objected,” she said.
“Good girl,” Hatch said. He turned his head toward the practice room. “He down there?”
“Yes,” she said, rubbing her throat. “What’s he going to do?”
“He’s going to take care of Vitaly.”
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
I smiled. “Trust me. It is. Come on, let’s go get you back in street clothes. We’ll sit down with Director Walsh when she gets in and talk to her about next steps.”
We walked to the locker room and I called Flea on the way.
“Hatch with you?”
“Yes, honey. He’s here. Thanks.”
“I’m five minutes out, what happened?”
“Are you on your cell phone while you’re riding?” I accused.
“Finch is bringin’ me in his truck.”
I relaxed and smiled. Of course he was on his way. This was him protecting me, and I loved him even more for it. “Vitaly attacked my friend.”
“Did he touch you?”
“No. I wasn’t here. I walked in on it.”
“Fuck,” he breathed out. “Be there in a bit.”
“Okay.” I hung up and sat on one of the benches between the lockers while Remi changed.
“Can you take pictures for me, please?” she asked. “I want to document what that asshole did.”
“Yes, of course,” I said, and took her phone.
I had just snapped a couple when I heard Flea’s voice bellowing my name.
“Hold that thought,” I said, and stepped to the door. “Honey, I’m down here. I’ll be right out.”
“Don’t move,” he ordered, and jogged toward me.
I leaned against the doorframe and waited for him to reach me. He cupped my face and leaned down to kiss me. “You good?”
“Yeah, baby, I’m good. I’m helping Remi, so give me a few, okay?”
He studied me, then nodded. “I’ll be right here.”
Smiling, I kissed him one more time. “I won’t be long.”
Heading back into the locker room, I finished taking pictures of Remi’s injuries (which were significant) and handed her back her phone. “Are you going to file a police report?”
She nodded, sniffing back tears. “I’m gonna have to go back home.”
“Why?”
Remi snorted. “Like they’ll let me stay after this. Vitaly’s the golden boy.”
“He’s the visiting golden boy,” I countered. “You’re here to stay, honey.”
She squeezed her eyes shut. “I hope you’re right.”
We walked out of the room and Flea pushed away from the wall, wrapping an arm around my waist. “Where’s my brother?”
“Had to get to court.”
“Ah, right,” I turned back to Remi. “Remi, this is Flea.”
“Like the bug?” she asked.
“Yep,” Flea said.
“Alrighty then,” she said, smiling, despite her split lip.
“Girls?” We turned to see Director Walsh walking toward us. “What’s going on? No visitors outside of show days.”
“Vitaly attacked Remi,” I said.
“Excuse me?” She turned to Remi. “Is this true?”
Remi nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Where’s Vitaly?”
“Practice room one,” Remi said.
“Please wait in my office and we’ll speak in a moment.”
Remi nodded and headed back toward the front.
The director looked Flea up and down and frowned. “You need to leave.”
“I’m gonna wait until I know my woman’s safe, then I’ll go.”
She shook her head. “We’ll discuss this later, Grace.”
I nodded and she stalked off toward the practice room. I bit my lip and looked up at Flea. “Well, that’s not gonna be a fun conversation.”
“What’s the worst she could do?”
“Kick me out.”
“If she does that, she’s a bitch and you don’t need her,” Flea said.
“I need to dance, Flea.”
“And you will. Whether it’s here or somewhere else.” He stroked my cheek. “You don’t fuckin’ need her to do that.”
I dropped my head to his chest. “You make everything sound like it’s possible.”
He chuckled. “Everything is possible.”
I met his eyes. “I love you so hard.”
He leaned down and kissed me. “Love you too.”
“Take that somewhere else,” the director said, and then disappeared into her office.
I wrinkled my nose, but didn’t remove my arms from around Flea’s waist. “Someone needs to get laid.”
Flea dropped his head back and laughed. “Indeed.”
Admittedly, I wasn’t a fan of the director. She was kind of a bitch, but she was an incredible teacher and I loved my classes with her, so I chalked it up to her being a perfectionist.
Hatch walked toward us, removing his gloves again and shoving them back in his pocket.
“You good?” Flea asked.
“His dancin’s on hold for a while,” Hatch said.
“Did the director see you?” I asked, worried she’d call the cops on him.
“What director?” he asked, a sly smile on his face.
“Do I want to know what you did?” I asked.
He grinned. “Didn’t do anything, Gracie girl.”
This was my cue to stop asking questions, so I did, leaning against Flea.
“You sure he didn’t hurt you?” Hatch asked.
I smiled. “I’m good.”
“I’m gonna head out,” Hatch said. “Maisie wants you two over for dinner tonight. Your brother too. Six. Flick’s staying with your Grams.”
“Ah… okay,” I said. When Maisie wanted you over for dinner, you came over for dinner.
“I’ll hang out here,” Flea said.
Hatch gave me a hug, then headed out.
“How are you going to get home?” I asked.
“I’m gonna take your car.”
I raised an eyebrow. “How am I going to get home?”
He grinned. “I’m gonna pick you up.”
“You got it all worked out, huh?”
“Always,” he retorted. “Give me your keys, baby. I’ll head out as well.”
I nodded just as Remi came out of the director’s office, sobbing.
“Remi?”
“She kicked me out.”
“What?” I snapped. “Why?”
“She said that Vitaly gave her a different story.”
Before I could ask more questions, Vitaly walked (limped) down the hall and glared at Remi. “I warned you, suka.”
“Mudak,” Remi spat out.
Vitaly seemed shocked by whatever she said, but didn’t respond.
“My ex was Russian. He taught me a few things,” she hissed. “Including the best way to get even. Watch your back, asshole.”
A haughty gasp pulled focus to the director emerging from her office. “This is exactly why I made the decision I did, Remington. This is behavior unbecoming a lady and a ballerina.”
“He tried to rape me!” she snapped. “And I’ll bet dollars to donuts, I’m not the only one.”
The director crossed her arms. “Security is on their way to escort you out.”
“I’ll help you clean out your locker,” I offered. “I don’t think security’s necessary, is it?”
“As long as she doesn’t cause trouble, that would be acceptable.”
Remi scowled at her, then squared her shoulders and headed toward the locker room.
“Wait for me?” I asked Flea.
“Yeah, baby.”
I followed Remi, waffling between concern and laughter as Remi let out a series of really creative curses aimed at Vitaly and the director.
“What are you doing?” she asked, when I started to pull my things out of my locker.
“I’m leaving with you.”
“What? Why?”
“Because he tried to rape you, Remi, and the director took his side!”
“You can’t leave for me,” she argued. “You’re a thousand times better than me, Grace. It would be career suicide.”
“I’m not leaving for you,” I said, shoving dancewear into my bag. “I’m leaving for me. And any other young women who get caught in this trap. You and I are going to do some digging and find out what the hell is going on here. Something’s hinky.”
“I don’t know if I’d go so far as to say something’s hinky.”
I shrugged. “Well, we’re going to check it out anyway.”
I had an entire club at my back who could uncover just about anything. If there was something to find, they’d find it.
Remi sighed. “Thanks Grace.”
I smiled and slid my bag over my shoulder. “Ready?”
“Yes.”
We headed out of the locker room and found Flea waiting outside.
“I’m leaving,” I said.
He smiled. “I see that.”
“We’re going to find out who else this asshat’s attacked.”
Flea waved his phone. “Already started the process.”
I wrapped my arms around him. “I love you.”
He chuckled. “Proud of you, Grace.”
“Be proud of Remi.”
“Nope,” she countered. “You should be proud of her. I don’t have a choice. She does.”
“Aware of that,” Flea said.
We headed down the hallway and found the director speaking with two security guards.
She held her hand out to Remi. “Your keycard, please.”
Remi chucked it at her and it fell on the floor. She didn’t attempt to retrieve it. I was a little nicer, handing my keycard to her and making sure she grabbed it.
“Grace, you have real talent. Don’t throw it away,” the director warned.
“I’m not throwing my talent away,” I said. “I’m choosing to do something important with it.”
With that last word, the three of us left the building and we walked Remi to her car.
“Let’s have lunch this week,” I said. “But call me if you need anything, okay?”
Remi hugged me. “Thanks, Grace. I really appreciate everything.”
“Any time.”
“It was nice to meet you… um… sorry, was it Tick?”
I giggled. “Flea.”
“Oh, god, I’m so sorry.” She covered her mouth with her hands, her face bright red.
“Not a problem, babe,” Flea said, trying to hide a smile.
“I’m gonna go now,” she said, pointing to her car.
“Drive safe,” I said.
She nodded, climbed in her car, and drove away. I handed Flea my keys and he decided we were going to take a detour to his place.
* * *
Flea and I pulled up to Hatch and Maisie’s place at five minutes to six. I saw that my brother’s truck was already there, which didn’t surprise me. He was always early to everything.
Flea grabbed the six pack of beer and bottle of wine we’d bought and we climbed out of my car and headed to the door. It was opened before we had the chance to ring the bell.
“Twice in one week,” Poppy crooned, pulling me into a hug.
“Hey, bestie.”
She hugged Flea, then took my hand and dragged me inside. “We’re playing Pictionary. We just took a quick booze break, but Devon and I are winning.”
“Unfair advantage,” I complained.
“Oh, pish,” she hissed.
Devon was an artist. He could draw anything, but outside of that fact, he and Poppy had always been able to read each other’s minds.
We arrived in the great room and Flea stepped into the large kitchen connected to the great room and poured me some wine. I made my way to Cassidy who was waving her hand frantically.
“Did you really quit?”
I grimaced. “I did. Vitaly was a creep.”
“Okay, you’re going to think I’m crazy.”
“No,” I deadpanned and she rolled her eyes.
“Impertinence will get you everywhere with me.”
I grinned. “I know.”
“I’m opening a school.”
“Um, okay.”
“Kim bought the building. She’s a silent partner.”
“Congratulations?”
Cassidy grinned. “I want you to come and teach.”
“What?” I whispered.
“You know my classes have a two-year waiting list. Now I can dedicate more time to teaching and dancing, especially if I have my star pupil teaching with me full-time. I hope to build it up and have a draw for ballet superstars who will help take the school to the next level.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes. I’ll make it worth your while, honey, just say yes.”
“Yes!” I squeaked, pulling her in for a hug.
“It’s going to take a few months to get up and running…”
“She can work at the shop until then,” Flea said, sitting beside me and handing me my wine.
“I should probably talk to Hatch about that.”
“Talk to me about what?” Hatch asked, sitting across from me and pulling Maisie onto his lap.
“Working at the shop until Cassidy gets the school up and running.”
“Fuck, yeah you can,” he said. “We’re dyin’ without you.”
I rolled my eyes. “So melodramatic.”
Flea wrapped an arm around me and pulled me close. “He’s right. The shop’s a mess right now.”
“I would love to come back. Thank you.”
The words were barely out of my mouth when my dad walked in. Maisie smiled at me, then pushed off Hatch’s lap and walked over to me, leaning down to kiss my cheek. “Try, love.”
I sighed. “Okay.”
She cupped my cheeks and grinned. “Proud of you.”
She stood again and hugged my dad, while I took a deep breath and met his eyes. “Hi, Dad.”
“Hey, sweetpea.”
“Who’s watching Grams?” I asked.
“Flick,” he said.
“Oh. Good.” I smiled. “Um, thanks for… you know.”
He grinned. “You’re welcome.”
Okay, it was a start.
Flea gave me a gentle squeeze and kissed the back of my neck. “Good job, honey.”
I leaned back against him.
The group decided Pictionary would have to wait until after dinner, mostly because Maisie said food was ready and everyone cared more about the food than the game, so we all piled to their gigantic table and loaded our plates.
Flea stayed close, but I ventured out of my comfort zone and actually talked to my dad for almost ten minutes. It was nice. I was willing to take baby steps, but I still fully intended to guard my heart for the time being.
As wine flowed and many desserts were consumed (mostly by me), I stayed close to my man and relished the feeling of calm in the midst of the chaos of my family.
God, I loved these people.
I’d been consumed by my anger, but my amazing man had shown me a love I couldn’t measure, and in that love, I’d found grace.
He was everything I’d ever needed and I knew I’d never let him go.