Chapter 12

Addison

It was the weekend, meaning we had matinee shows this afternoon as Christmas was right around the corner. I came to the theater early, hoping to warm up on the bar for a while before practicing a particularly difficult sequence. Although I’d headed home last night with a negative outlook on things, I’d woken up this morning with a different perspective.

I’d slept with Colton. It had been earthshattering, to say the least, and I hadn’t been able to stop thinking about it. I felt more relaxed today, more limber. The release he’d provided, well, actually two releases, had allowed me to let go of some of the tension I’d been holding for ages. And that wasn’t the only thing I could thank him for.

Heading behind the stage to put away my bag, I was surprised to find my dressing room door cracked open. I heard noises behind the door, and they drove all thoughts of Colton and our magical night together out of my mind.

I pushed the door open, shocked to discover that my dressing room was already occupied. And by the two people I wanted to see least in the world right now. Especially considering what they were doing.

Drew was standing facing the door with his eyes closed. On her knees in front of him was Lacie. There was no mistaking what she was doing. His hands were on her head, guiding her pace as she sucked him off.

I tried to step out of the room quietly, but as I was backing up, I rattled the door. Drew’s eyes shot open, and they fastened on me, making me feel sick. Lacie turned around, a red flush of embarrassment covering her face.

“Get out,” the dancer said, then wiped her mouth.

I started to turn, but Drew’s voice made me freeze. “Stop.” He zipped up his pants, then leaned down to pull Lacie to her feet. “Go practice,” he said, aiming her toward the door and slapping her ass to get her started. “I need to talk to Addison.”

Lacie looked at him like he was crazy, but she did as she was told. I wished I could follow her out but Drew was already grabbing my arm, pulling me into the dressing room and closing the door behind him.

I figured he was going to make me swear not to tell anyone what I’d seen. He didn’t need to worry, I never wanted to think about the scene before me ever again. Then I realized that if he was concerned about word getting out, maybe I could use that fear as leverage and get him to back off a little.

Boy was I wrong.

Drew stood with his hands on his hips. “You’ve just been replaced.”

My jaw dropped at his words. “I beg your pardon?”

He indicated a box of my things, sitting on the vanity. “Lacie packed your shit up for you. You can take it and go.”

“You replaced me. With Lacie?”

He nodded. I couldn’t believe it. “Because she’s blowing you?”
His smile was sinister. “She knows how to get ahead.”

Suddenly I couldn’t stand the bullshit anymore. “You know what, that’s fine.” I walked over to pick up the box, but before I could, he grabbed my arm.

“I’ve given you countless chances. I told you what this job takes. You’ve got to lose weight, lay off the partying. And instead you’ve flouted every single rule.”

“That’s bullshit,” I shouted. “I’ve lost three pounds in the last two weeks. That means I’m ten pounds under my healthy weight. I’ve been dancing better than ever and you know it. And I haven’t been partying, I’ve been practicing my ass off.”
“I’ve seen you with him,” he snarled, getting in my face. “That fucking manwhore you’re so eager to spread your legs for. You should have known where your fucking loyalties should lay, and not with some stripper who can’t do shit for you.”

Drew’s face was a mask of anger. “I made you the goddamn prima ballerina, gave you the biggest part in my production. And how do you repay me?”

“By being the best dancer I can be!”
“By whoring yourself out behind my back!”

I shook my head. “I don’t belong to you. You aren’t my owner. I can date whomever I want.”

“That’s where you’re wrong,” he said, tightening his grip on my arm until it became painful. “If you work for me, I do own you.” Then he lunged forward and pressed his mouth against mine.

I turned my head away, disgusted, so he pushed me back against the wall and put his hand on my breast, squeezing cruelly. “I own you, and if you want to keep your part, you’ll start showing me some goddamn appreciation.”

I struggled in his grip, flailing my arms and catching him on the side of his face. “Let go of me! I don’t want your fucking part, not if it means you get to touch me. You disgust me.”

He recoiled as if slapped. “I knew I’d fucked up when I hired you. You’re too old and too fucking fat to be in my company.” Drew moved back. “Get your things and get the fuck out.”

I glared at him, retrieving my box and leaving the dressing room without a backwards glance. As I stomped from backstage, I saw Lacie sitting in one of the theater seats. She gave me a slow clap as I climbed down from the stage and started up the aisle. “Goodbye, loser,” she called.

“Enjoy your part,” I replied. “I know you had to give the performance of your life to earn it, and I don’t mean on stage.” Then I left.

The cab ride home was agony. I couldn’t help thinking that I’d somehow screwed up. I’d been living my dream, prima ballerina in an important company in the big city. Now I was nothing.

I knew Drew wouldn’t hesitate to badmouth me all over town. What chance did I have with another company? Even if they were able to look past my size and my age, it would be hard to combat whatever malicious rumors Drew would spread about me.

Leaving the cab, I lugged my box up the steps to my apartment, my head hung low. I couldn’t help but kick myself for my actions. If I’d just done as he said, well, demanded, I could have hung on. I didn’t mean submitting to his vile attentions. No sir. But if I’d laid off the french fries and the wine. If I’d turned down the party invitation. If I’d not started seeing Colton, maybe I could have made it through the season.

Instead I’d given in to my desires and screwed myself over. Fuck, could this day get any shittier? I’d started it with a newfound confidence in myself and a comfortability in my body. Now I was unemployed, abused, and my confidence lay in tatters.

I threw myself on my bed, fighting back the tears that were coming. I couldn’t quite tell if they were tears of anger at my unfair treatment, or despair. My eyes caught the card sitting on my bedside table. Colton’s smiling face stared back at me.

In that moment, I wanted to call him more than anything. Lay my troubles at his feet and beg him to just come over and hold me. He probably would, and being in his arms would be a wonderful comfort after the shit parade of this morning.

But wanting to be in his arms was what had gotten me in this position in the first place. If I would have behaved myself, this might have never happened. I picked up his card, studying his features. That cheeky smile. That amazing body. Colton was every woman’s fantasy. And he’d been my reality.

Until that reality turned into a nightmare.

I shoved the card in my nightstand drawer and shoved my head under the pillow, letting the tears start to fall.