CHAPTER 52
Lex
“Let’s get the band onstage. Cue the lights and fade to black. Good. Okay, now give it a ten-second count and then fade in the recorded intro.”
I had never thought about what went on during stage prep for a concert when I signed on to be one of Winter’s backup dancers, but I was beginning to get a glimpse of the chaos.
Backstage, the Zappos Theater in Planet Hollywood was an epic disaster. People were running like mad in all directions, shouting their demands, raising hell if something wasn’t going their way, fussing over Winter. Everything was urgent and distracting, and I was supposed to be listening for our cue to take the stage.
My heart was beating so fast, and this was only Day One of stage rehearsals. We’d walked through everything with Theo a few times this morning as we familiarized ourselves with the stage layout and our placements in a bigger space than Gravity provided. Now we were expected to run through the number, full out, with the live band and lighting.
“Cue band. Cue dancers for the intro,” boomed the event show caller, through the surround-sound backstage.
When the band started its intro, the stage manager escorted Winter from her dressing room to a narrow tunnel where she would be elevated to a high rise on the stage. I watched this, all while Desire—who had us fitted weeks ago—made her way down the line of dancers to measure us again.
“Not now, Desire,” Theo said, tapping her on the shoulder. “They need to focus.”
She sighed and wiped the sweat from her brow and threw up her hands. “Fine. But every single one of them needs to see me before they leave today. Some of these alterations are going to take some time. You’ve been starving these girls, haven’t you?”
He threw her a playful glare. “How about I just tell them to eat a few doughnuts?”
She jabbed him in the chest while fighting her smile. “How about you eat those doughnuts while I do my job?”
He placed his hands on her shoulders and steered her away. “How about I buy you doughnuts tomorrow morning while you measure my dancers? They’ll be beat after today, I’m making sure of it.”
She giggled, and my heart melted on witnessing Theo in his element. Everyone respected him. Everyone listened. And I couldn’t stop reminding myself that he was mine. I didn’t even care that it was a secret anymore.
“Dancers, take the stage.”
Theo charged to the front of the three of us. Three more girls were stage right, and the guys were climbing into the tunnel with Winter.
When I passed Theo, his gaze slid by me, but his palm landed on the small of my back. It was the lightest touch, but it spoke volumes. Last night had been one of the best nights of my life and the feeling seemed to be mutual.
The stage was still dark, our only navigation the tiny stage lights that wrapped the perimeter. I executed each move with confidence and precision, the intro choreo only a tease of what was to come.
I’d heard so many horror stories over the last month about working for other artists in the industry, especially those who couldn’t dance, and having only the most basic steps for choreography. I could imagine how painful that would be when all we wanted as dancers was to let loose on the dance floor and challenge ourselves with every beat.
The run-through seemed to go well up until one of the interludes later in the set, when the stage went black. The interludes gave Winter and us time for costume changes and water. There weren’t any costume changes today, but we still appreciated the short breaks.
We were backstage, waiting for our next cue to come back out, when Reggie hopped over to me. “Come with me for a second,” he said, taking my arm before I could ask him why he needed me.
I went with him to the stage, where Theo and a few others stood below us, talking about something we couldn’t make out from the distance. I noticed then that he had grabbed Wayne too. Theo looked up, his eyes landing first on me then on Reggie. “What are you doing?”
“The next song is the bonus track. I just wanted to talk placements before I teach them the choreography.”
My eyes grew wide, and I reached to yank on Reggie’s shirt. “What?” My heart felt as if it would explode with excitement, but I didn’t want to get my hopes up.
Reggie winked at me. “I choose you, Lex. It’s your solo with Wayne and me supporting you.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. My eyes shot to Theo, who wore a deep-set frown. “Mind running that by your boss? Winter won’t appreciate being the last to hear about your selections.”
Reggie chuckled, and something about his tone made my insides curl. “She’ll be fine with whatever I choose.” He gestured at the stage. “We’re center stage for this one, right? Did my placement plans get approved?”
Theo’s jaw tightened and relaxed, then he nodded. “Yup. You’re approved. Winter will be on a bridge, sitting right above the stage. Lex will be wearing the same outfit as Winter, dark wig and all.”
Reggie nodded, the air thick with his arrogance. “Cool. The song is about a damaged relationship where the woman is in the process of letting go. I’m seeing … dark, haunting. Spot lighting. Lots of fog. Tattered clothes.” He looked pointedly at Theo.
“We can make that happen. I assume you’re ready with choreography?”
Reggie cocked his head at Theo, his lip curling at one end. “Sure am.”
“Good,” Theo said, pointing at the side stage, where the VIPs would most likely gather during the show. “Get Lex and Wayne up to speed and be ready to show me what you’ve got by this time tomorrow. I trust you three will catch up with the rest of us at that point.”
Reggie nodded again, his shoulders back and his chest puffed out. “Sure thing.”
I bit my smile and followed the guys off stage.
“Hey,” I said to Reggie as I tugged his arm. “Thanks for this.”
He shrugged. “I owed you.”
I crinkled my brows, confused. “What for?”
Shaking his head, he waved a hand in the air. “Because you’re good, Lex. And you deserve your solo.”
My expression eased into a smile. “Thanks, Reg. I won’t let you down.”
“Room service and sex? Is that how the next six months will be?”
Theo grinned. “If I play my cards right.”
We were curled up together on the couch in the sitting room after finishing off two steaks and indulging in a glass of wine while we chatted. It was the first time I felt we were an actual couple. Sure, we were still sneaking around, but there was no more guessing about what would happen when the hourglass emptied.
I chuckled and pressed my lips to his. “I’m not complaining. But we might want to get creative at some point. I was reading up on Vegas, and there’s so much to do off the strip. Hiking. Lakes. The dam.” My eyes lit up. “Let’s go on an adventure.”
“Whoa there, tiger,” he said, moving a strand of hair from my eyes. “You’re here for work, first. Maybe after the show gets going and we wrap the music video, we can afford to play a little.” He moved his nose against mine. “However, if you’d like to see how adventurous I can get with you naked, I’m up for the challenge right now.”
I laughed and pushed him away. Standing, I faced him with my hands on my hips. He’d started to strip me the moment we walked into the room, but he got only as far as my bra and panties before I begged for food. It had been a long day with only one long break for lunch. “I can’t stay.”
Theo’s eyes narrowed at me. “The fuck you can’t. You’re staying.”
I shook my head. “I still need to talk to Amie. I already bailed on dinner with her to come here. I can’t miss our movie night too. She’s my roomie. And she’s my only true friend here.”
Theo snorted and leaned back into the sofa, moving his hands behind his head. “What about Reggie? He seems to be winning you over.”
I grinned. “Is that jealousy I detect?”
“Hardly,” he growled. “I’m just telling you what I see.
“Well,” I said, with a little shimmy of my shoulders. “He happens to think I deserve a solo, and I happen to agree with him.”
Theo chuckled. “Might be the only thing I’ll ever agree with Reggie about.” Then his forehead creased, his amusement clearly fading. “Are you okay with the choreography? Reggie likes lifts, and I know you’re not crazy about them.”
My chest warmed at his question. “Reggie can be a little … awkward … at times, but I’m used to him by now. He’s harmless. And the choreo is great.”
“And if it ever gets weird, you’ll let me know, right?”
My cheeks lifted in a smile. “Of course.”
“Good.” He cleared his throat. “So are you going to show me this mysterious routine you guys were working on today?”
“Tomorrow. You’ll see it tomorrow.”
“What about tonight?” he asked with a pout. “I had plans for you.” His eyes scanned my body. “Big plans.”
I bit my lip again to control the smile that was fighting its way onto my face. I reached for my leggings to slip them on. He stood just as I was reaching for my tank top.
“Not tonight,” I warned, bringing myself up to my tiptoes. My lips met his, allowing myself to sink into his arms as soon as they wrapped around my body.
He sighed. “I’m pissed at you for leaving.”
I slid my palms down to his ass and squeezed. “You’ll forgive me tomorrow when you show me all the plans you had for me.”
“Damn straight.” He bit his bottom lip with a grin, stirring something in me.
“Looking forward to it.” And with a final glance over my shoulder, I slipped out our door.