9
"Chelsea, you in here?" Dominic's voice wakes me from a deep slumber.
"Yeah, I was just catching some quick shut eye." I sit up and shake myself awake trying to figure out how long I've been out. After I sat through hair and makeup, I was exhausted from my late night with Tom and needed a nap.
Dominic appears in the doorway. "I've got good news and bad news."
"Okay." I can't imagine what his news could be. I rub the sleep from my eyes, careful not to smudge my eye makeup.
"We were voted in for the encore dance!"
"No way!"
He grins. "We've got a slot in the schedule to run through a few things before dress rehearsal. You need to get to wardrobe."
"Oh my God this is so exciting. Wait. What about Tom? He flew back to New York."
“That’s the bad news. We'll have the studio band in his place. One more reason to hurry up so we can run through it."
I'm bummed that Tom is missing our encore and wish I'd asked for his number so I could share the good news. By now he should be at 30,000 feet jetting across the country. I rush to wardrobe and slip into my filmy white dress that floats like clouds when I dance.
My head is buzzing with every detail from last night—Tom's laughter, dancing in his arms, and sipping drinks into the early hours.
"You looked like you were having a good time last night," Cassie says, appearing out of nowhere.
"It was fun to get great scores."
She takes a swig from her water bottle. "I mean the after party. I had a thing for him once too." Cassie tilts her head and gives a sly smile.
And now I have another reason to dislike this woman. Why did she have to try to spoil my memories? Inside the sound stage, energy buzzes as the crew prepares for the show, changing lighting booms and bringing in new set pieces. I find Dominic talking with the new piano player. The guy has his back to me. He's wearing a loose T-shirt, faded jeans and old chucks. My mind is playing tricks on me, I'm sure of it, but I can't hold down the hope bubbling inside.
Dominic looks up. "Hey, Chelsea."
The piano player turns and Tom gives me a quirky smile.
"Oh my God, you're here!" We all grin at each other.
"Looks like we've got the band back together," Dominic jokes.
"My flight was delayed and the call came through as I was about to board," Tom says.
Dominic excuses himself to talk to Larry. I join Tom at the piano. "I didn't think I'd see you again."
His mesmerizing eyes capture mine. "I guess it was meant to be."
My breath catches and before I get a chance to respond, Dominic returns. "Here. We have enough time to run through the lifts and then once through the whole thing."
Tom takes his spot behind the piano and tickles the keys in a quick warm up. "Do you want an intro?" he asks.
"A two measure lead in would be great," Dominic responds.
We step to our places and I realize I haven't warmed up. Dominic was rehearsing pro numbers earlier, so probably didn't think of it either.
Dominic nods to Tom and he plays the lead in to our first lift. I force myself to focus on the task at hand instead of enjoying the fact that I get more time with Tom. I turn to Dominic and we mark the steps. I'm off a half beat, but still manage to pull it off.
"Let's run that again," he says to Tom then turns to me. "You seem distracted. Get your head in the game here."
"I'm sorry. All this is happening so fast."
Dominic grins. "Or is it the guy behind the piano?"
"Shut up!" I swat him in the arm, fighting not to smile.
"All right, here we go. 5-6-7-8," Dominic calls and Tom plays again.
Now remembering exactly where we were in the dance, I mark the steps and am ready for the lift, leaping as high as I can and extending my arms so Dominic can get me up over his head. He holds the pose for two beats, turns me in the air before half lowering, half tossing me. I stick the landing, even though my feet sting from the impact.
"Good. Now the lift to the piano and then the leap," he says.
I glance at Tom who plays the next lead in, singing softly to mark the spot.
We begin the sequence. Dominic swings me onto the piano in one elegant swoop, then stands back while I mark the solo. When it comes time for the leap, I take two steps, ready to launch myself as high and far as possible, but on the second step, my foot slips on something wet.
I'm going down.
Momentum works against me and there's nothing in front of me but air. I'm far short of Dominic being able to catch me. I reach out with my arms to break my fall on the steps to the main dance floor.
In my peripheral vision, Dominic flies forward but is too late. Instead of catching me, his out-reached hand nails me in the cheek like a heavyweight boxer and I see stars. His head slams into my shoulder as I hit the steps and slide to the floor with a grunt.
Pain radiates from every impact point on my shins, thighs, hips, and forearms, leaving me unable to do more than lie in a fetal position.
As I squeeze my eyes shut to fight off the piercing pain in my cheek and shoulder, voices sound near me, but I can't take the energy to respond. Then I hear Tom in my ear.
"Chelsea, are you okay?" I force my eyes open. There's alarm on his face.
"Never better," I manage to groan, but my cheek feels like it split open from the impact, so I press my palm against it to dull the pain. My shins burn from landing on the sharp corner of the steps.
"Don't move. Stay still." He rests his hand gently on my hip.
"Medical! Where the hell is medical?" Larry hollers.
Dominic's face pops into view. "Oh God, Chelsea, I'm so sorry. I tried to break your fall."
"That's okay. You finally got back at me for kicking you in the jewels."
"What happened?" he asks.
"My foot slipped on something wet."
Tom checks the piano. "It looks like condensation from a water bottle." He returns to my side.
"You've got to be kidding me," Dominic says, exasperated.
"Dominic, are you okay?" I notice he's hunched over.
"I'll be fine, just a good smack on the head from hitting your shoulder."
A medic appears at Dominic's side. "I'm fine," he says. "Check Chelsea."
Tom edges out of the way, but I feel him gently rubbing my calf. Whether it's more of his energy stuff or him trying to reassure me, I don't care. It's nice to have him here.
"Chelsea, my name is George and I’d like to check you over. Can you roll onto your back?" the medic says.
I wince as I roll over.
"Remove your hand, I'd like to take a look at your cheek."
Reluctantly, I lift my hand away from my cheek and grimace.
"No broken skin, just a bruise developing. Did you hear a crack when it happened?"
"You mean when Dominic head butted me? No snap, crackle, or pop. More of a wham!"
"Hey, it was my fist and I was trying to protect you," Dominic says.
I tilt my head back to see him. "Could you maybe be less protective in the future?"
Tom chuckles from down near my feet. "I guess pain makes her cranky."
I kick out at him, but miss.
"Calm down, Tiger," he says holding my foot.
"What else hurts?" George asks.
"My shoulder, but I'm fine. I'm just not used to getting hit like that."
He gently presses on my shoulder and lifts my arm different directions. "Tell me if any of this hurts."
Meanwhile, Tom is wiggling my toes. The medic releases my arm. "Nope. All good."
And then I giggle.
George looks at me in surprise.
"What's so funny?" Dominic asks.
"Tom is playing this little piggy with my toes."
The medic smiles, but sends Tom a cease and desist. Another medic appears to check out Dominic.
"Chelsea, I'd like you to focus on the end of my nose. I'm going to flash a light in your eyes for a couple of seconds."
I stare at his nose and want so badly to make nose trimmer jokes.
"Very good. Do you think you can sit up?"
The pain isn't quite as severe now. I gingerly lean forward, and Tom is instantly at my side.
"Excellent, now can you stand, or should we bring a gurney?" George asks.
"I'm fine, really." Tom offers a steady hand, which I accept and rise to my feet, shaking out my legs to get my blood flowing again.
"All right, let's get you back to the physical therapy room for a closer look. We need to clear the stage for dress rehearsal."
It's then I notice half the cast and crew looking on. I mumble, "Great. I wonder how many of them saw my body slam into the steps."
"I'm actually hoping someone caught it on camera for a replay," Tom teases.
I narrow my eyes. "So that's the kind of guy you are." He grins, and I hobble after George.
"Chelsea, wait." Dominic stands. "I need a quick word." He motions me off to the side. I join him. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah. Just a little battered. You?"
"Nothing serious. Listen. If you feel sure you're okay, don't let them take you to the hospital. They'll cut our encore dance and you'll miss the show."
"I want to perform."
He nods. "All right. Unless the medic finds some viable reason why you can't, the show must go on. Deal?"
"Deal." We bump fists. I turn to Tom, "You up for it, Mr. Foot Fetish?"
Tom grins. "Absolutely."
George waves me over, so I follow and he checks my vitals and listens to my breathing. "Everything checks out. Here are a couple painkillers you should take right now, and some ice packs for your cheek and shoulder. I'll be back shortly."
"Will the pills make me woozy?"
"Not at all, they'll just take the edge off."
I down the pills.
Dominic peeks in. "I'm going to talk to Larry and make sure they don't pull us."
"You sure know how to add excitement to the day." Tom touches the ice pack gently to my cheek. I wince. "You're on your way to a nasty shiner. Heck look at you, you're all banged up."
I glance at a few stray bruises. "When I agreed to do the show, no one told me how much pain was involved. This is no sport for the faint of heart."
He traces a bruise on my shin.
"That tickles." I bend my knee. The panels of my dress slide open revealing a bare thigh. Tom's eyes travel up my leg.
"This one looks especially nasty." His finger lightly brushes around a large bruise sending tingles up my arm.
"A spray tan can only do so much. I feel like an old junker that's been through a demolition derby."
Larry appears. "How are you feeling?"
Tom pulls his hand away. I lower the ice pack from my cheek. "Good. Nothing more than a couple of bumps."
"Glad to hear it. I just wanted to let you know that we felt it necessary to pull your encore number. We'll have Cassie and Shane do their dance instead."
I sit upright. "That's not fair!"
Larry frowns. "I know you're disappointed, but it's for your own safety."
"Did the medic say I can't dance?"
"No, but I feel it's better for you to sit this one out. Don't worry about joining dress rehearsal. Dominic's done the show a hundred times. He'll be able to guide you through. Tom, thanks for coming back, but we won't be needing you after all."
Before I can disagree again, Larry's out the door. "Dammit." I slam my head back against the pillow, then grimace. "Ow."
Within minutes, raised voices sound outside the room. One of them is definitely Dominic. I drop the cold packs and linger near the door. Dominic is arguing with Larry.
"Larry, there's no reason for you to do this. We've both checked out with medical."
"Dominic, you've already missed dress rehearsal and you have other numbers you need to stay sharp for. I'm not convinced that you aren't trying to hide a mild concussion."
It never occurred to me that Dominic might do that.
Dominic's feet are planted wide and his chin jetted out. "I'm not that stupid. Chelsea and I have rehearsed this number hundreds of times and performed it perfectly last night. She's had a lousy run on the show, give her a chance to have some fun."
I step next to Dominic to support him in the fight. "Please, Larry. We've worked really hard for this. We won't let you down."
Larry stares at me, and then Dominic, and scratches his head. "Shit. I don't know." He looks at Tom.
"They're both pretty stubborn. Personally, I wouldn't want to cross either one of them, let alone a united front."
"You're no help." He sighs.
Tom grins.
"All right, you're back in." Larry turns and walks away, then hollers back. "Don't make me regret this."
"Thank you!" I call after him.
"Yes!" Dominic high-fives me, then winces and pulls his hand back in pain.
"Dominic, are you okay?"
"I'll ice it in a minute."
Tom shakes his head. "You guys are nuts."
"Okay, Chelsea, you go get touched up by makeup to hide your bruised face. Then warm up really well. When you're ready, meet backstage by the piano. We're gonna rehearse that leap, so you have full confidence you won't fall again. Tom, make damn sure no lazy crew member leaves a water bottle or anything else on that piano."
"Got it."
"I want to speak to the control room guys about some camera shots. I'll see you in a bit." Dominic heads off.
Tom watches me with a pleasant look on his face.
"Ever since you arrived, there hasn't been a dull moment," I say.
"And I was thinking it was you who created all the drama," he laughs. "I'm glad you're okay." His expression changes to serious.
"Thanks. It takes more than a face plant to bring me down."
About a half hour before show time, I arrive backstage. Hank asks how I'm feeling, as do Eva Alverez and Tedrick, two of the more famous celebrities on the show. The nice part is that everyone seems genuinely concerned. I think they realize that as our dances become more challenging, any of us could take a nosedive.
I still don't see Tom when we do our big entrance opening the show. All the teams are lined up across the ballroom, while Marcus gives a recap of the highs and lows from last night. Once I'm backstage again, I finally spot Tom and sigh in relief. Something about his presence puts me at ease.
His mouth curls in a half smile. "Despite the fact you're body is marred with bruises underneath your makeup, you don't look so bad."
I laugh. "Is that what they call a backhanded compliment?"
He smiles and shakes his head. "What I meant is that you look radiant."
And after that, I could walk on clouds.
"Everybody ready?" Dominic asks, joining us.
"All set," I say.
Tom nods.
"Remember tonight is for the viewers. They asked to see you dance again, so relax and enjoy yourself."
Our number goes beautifully and I realize I've broken through an invisible barrier that had been holding me back. It's exciting and exhilarating to perform this way. As the applause dies down, Marcus steps onto the ballroom.
"Let's give another hand for Chelsea and Dominic as well as Tony nominated Thomas Evan Oliver performing “Stay.” I'm happy to announce that during this double elimination night, for the first time this season, Chelsea and Dominic are not in the bottom three. They are safe!"
My mouth drops open. I shouldn’t be surprised after receiving tens, but I am. Dominic whoops and swings me around. We're rushed off to the skybox with the other teams as the crew sets up for the next number during commercial break.
Hank gives me a bear hug. "I knew you were here for the long haul."
I look back at the ballroom for Tom, but the grand piano has been cleared, he's nowhere to be seen, and I'm stuck in the skybox until the end of the show.
Two hours later, I’m bummed that Tom left without saying goodbye. Dominic and I arrive at the rehearsal hall to start working on our dance for next week.
"Chelsea, hold up."
I turn and Tom is jogging across the parking lot while a cab idles at the curb.
"I'll meet you inside," Dominic says with a smirk.
I dip my head. "Thanks."
"Hey, I was afraid I'd missed you," Tom says, out of breath.
"Me too. I didn't see you after the show."
"I waited around for a while, but you guys had a long line of interviews. I ducked out to grab my bag and when I came back you were gone."
"When is your flight?"
He pulls out his phone. "In little over an hour."
"You're cutting it close."
"I couldn't leave until I saw you one last time." He kicks at a pebble on the ground.
My heart soars, and I try to tone down my smile. I lean against the brick wall.
He places his hand on the wall beside my head and leans close. He's about to say something, but then pushes away from the wall. "I should go."
"Okay," I say, but he doesn't move. His blue eyes lock with mine, and he slides his hand along my jaw, grazing my neck as he weaves his fingers into my hair.
My breath catches. He leans in and tenderly captures my mouth and kisses me. After a lingering moment he pulls away a fraction and gazes into my eyes.
I sigh.
"Oh, hell," he breathes, and pulls me into his arms, this time kissing me deeply, igniting a fire that has long been squelched. My arms are trapped against his chest. I feel the rapid beat of his heart as I savor the taste of his lips.
A flash goes off, and there's applause and catcalls. We look up to find half the cast watching.
He reveals a boyish grin, the sweetest one I've seen yet. "I really do have to go. I hate to leave you alone to face their ribbing, but get some solace, because after kissing you, I won't be able to think straight for a long time."
My head's swimming in the emotional deep end of the pool. My pulse is racing from the effect of his kisses, and I'm at a loss for words.
He waits for my response, but when I'm quiet, he says, "All right, then." And heads for his waiting cab.
"Tom!" I call. He stops and I run into his arms. He kisses me one last time.
"Girl, you're killing me." He releases me, steps into his cab, and speeds away.
I watch the disappearing taillights happier and more confused than I've been in a very long time. Now what? I still don't have his number. Will I ever see him again?
Dominic and the others are waiting when I drag myself into the rehearsal hall. I feel the blush burning my cheeks.
"Looks like you were having a good time. Thanks for making the rest of us lonely saps feel worse about ourselves," says Tedrick.
I head off to our rehearsal room with Dominic. "What the hell just happened?" I ask.
"Seriously?" He cocks his head. "Do I really need to explain to you why a boy kisses a girl?" Dominic laughs, opening the door.
"But it doesn't make sense." He started something then left it hanging. He lives three thousand miles away. What am I supposed to do with that? I need to talk to Anna.
"You're right. You were probably part of a to do list. Fly to L.A. Check. Sing on Celebrity Dance Off. Check. Kiss a hot girl. Check."
I give him a dirty look. "Very funny. He didn't ask for my phone number." I plop down on a chair, my bag between my feet.
"I'm sure we can track his down. You should ask Larry."
"I'm not going to call him!"
Dominic busts out laughing. "Why the hell not?"
"Because he lives in New York and I'm in L.A. And after the show, I'm going back to Iowa or somewhere equally uninteresting."
He sits and bumps shoulders with me. "But we'll be going to New York City before you go home."
"What could possibly come of it? Nothing. He's a big shot on Broadway for freak’s sake. He's surrounded by gorgeous women every day. You saw how all the girls in the troupe flocked around him."
Dominic shrugs. "I'm just saying, when the love bug strikes…"
But I need logic and none of this makes any sense. "Can we just get to work? I'm exhausted and those pain pills wore off an hour ago."
"Okay. I won't overwhelm you tonight, but I want to get some of this in your head before tomorrow."
But it turns out my head is someplace else. It's on a cute guy with lightning blue eyes and a smile that brings me alive.
After an hour Dominic gives up. At home I take a couple more painkillers, wash off my makeup, and go to bed thinking about Tom and how much he's affected my life in two short days.