AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“If you can love that dickhead, you can trust me. Pretty certain I’m the lesser of two pricks.”
“It’s six of one and half a dozen of the other,” I throw back at him, hopping down a couple of steps.
“Hey, George?” Christopher calls down from the landing when he’s reached the top and I the bottom, peering over the bannister as I lean back to look up at him. “I’m at court today, so if you want a break from riding with Cooper, I can drop you off at the Opera House.”
“Ummm…” I’m tempted. Over the last few weeks, I’ve wanted nothing more than my independence back, but I’m still shaken up from almost being crushed to death. The last two performances have been the hardest yet. Every time I set foot on the stage, my heart threatens to burst from my chest with nerves and the anxiety that the replay of my memories triggers.
“I’m going past it anyway.”
“Thanks for the offer, but I’m meeting Fleur in town.”
“Make sure you ask Arabella for keys if you’re coming back here tonight. We have the scan later and dinner at my parents’ afterwards. You’re welcome to join us, but Freddie’s going to be there.”
My foolish heart runs away with itself at the mere mention of his name. “I’ll probably head back to my place anyway. Thank you though.”
I’m grabbing my denim jacket and my Louis Vuitton tote with the bare essentials I brought with me from Freddie’s place when Arabella comes up from the kitchen, still in her nightgown. She looks exhausted, and after listening to her walk around a lot of the night, I’m worried about her.
“You’re meeting Fleur?” she asks with a frown, combing her hair off her face. “Please tell me you’re not doing anything stupid.”
“We’re having brunch, and then I need to go buy your birthday present.” It’s not a lie; it’s just not the entire truth either. She doesn’t need it anyway; it’ll only make her worry and panic. “So no, you can’t come with this time.”
“Georgie—”
“Ah. Ah, ah, ah…no! You need to get some rest and get ready for your scan while I drink coffee, eat lettuce, and spend money.”
Giving her a gentle hug, I take care not to touch her belly. It’s bad enough when I have to dance on blisters or busted toes; I can’t imagine what it must feel like for her to be in constant pain. I can only imagine that with her scar pulling the way it is as her belly continues swelling that she must feel as though she’s physically being ripped apart from the inside out.
“Please be careful. I know that right now you want this whole mess with you and Freddie to be over, but don’t be hasty. Don’t be short-sighted. One misstep could cost you so much, and you can’t go back and change things, so…”
“I’ve got Cooper, and trust me, I’m not leaving his sight. Besides, I have a meeting with the head of press for the company. I have to figure out what I’m doing with the rest of the off season.”
The Aviary want me to go back for their summer workshop, and while it’s not exactly the most career-advancing offer, it’s great press for the Royal Ballet as a company, and it’s an opportunity to revisit the beginnings of it. Besides, I used to love it when the big hitters used to come to the academy and share their experience. When I was a student, I used to dream about being asked back as a guest. So in a way, some of my dreams are coming true.
“When you’ve had the scan, will you let me know how it went? It’s the last show tonight and…and I’ll worry. I am worried. You were up all night, and you look shattered, Bella. You look like you’re in so much pain.”
“I’m fine.” When I hitch my brow at her, she rolls her eyes and insists, “I’m fine. The doctor warned me that it was going to hurt. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but it’s going to be worth it. I didn’t realise how much I want this baby until I got pregnant again. What is it that you’ve always said…if you can’t take—”
“If you can’t take the pain, it’s not worth it.”
“Exactly, no pain, no gain. Right?”
“Right.” I smile, picking a stray Coco Pop from her hair before heading for the door. “Your breakfast should go in your mouth, not in your hair.”
“Stay out of trouble,” she calls as I open the door and watch while Cooper gets out of the Range waiting for me and opens my door. “I mean it, Georgina. Sé inteligente, me entiendes?”
“Oh my fucking God, I kno—” I’m turning so fast that the flash is a blur as the car speeds past. “Motherfucking fuckers! I wish they’d leave me the fuck alone already!”
This is ridiculous. At this point, they’re not even trying to get an actual story anymore. They’re just stalking me everywhere I go. I have no fucking escape.
“Chin up.” She shrugs with a sigh and a worried pinch to her brow. “It’ll pass.”
“I know.”
I do. Except something doesn’t feel right. I have the same knot in my stomach that I did the other day when Freddie and I left his place. The same day that I almost got crushed to death. Everyone is still wary of me; I’m surprised they haven’t refused to go on stage with me. Maybe they would have if there wasn’t security everywhere. In the hallways and the rafters. In every hidden nook and cranny and the wide-open spaces. They’re everywhere I go.
“Morning, Miss Gladstone,” Cooper greets me as I come down the steps and head straight inside the car.
“Morning, Cooper.”
