“Sorry,” I giggled as I stepped off and wrapped my arms around his neck. “I needed to get the words out before you distracted me.”
“And how exactly would I distract you, Cupcake?” Nathan arched one of his thick brows at me.
“You greet me in grey sweatpants. That's the universal sign for distraction.” I told him.
Nathan laughed. “Seems to me like I’ve found your weakness.”
“Just added to the growing list.” I brushed my lips against his, sighing blissfully when I felt his hands park on my backside.“Good news first then more of this.” I told him before we could get carried away.
“What’s the good news?” Nathan asked as he led me to the living room. “Have you decided to walk around naked on days ending with the letter Y?”
I wish I could say that was the first time he broached that idea, but it wasn’t.
“No,” I giggled.
“Damn.” He pretended to frown. “I give up. What is it?”
“Titan just personally informed me that I am now one of his backup dancers! I got it! I’m going on tour with Titan!” I squealed.
Nathan’s expression shifted immediately. The warmth in his eyes disappeared as a tense silence filled the room. His mouth pulled into a tight line, and his brow furrowed slightly as he glanced away for a moment, as if processing the news.
I wasn’t expecting Nathan to jump up and down and do a happy dance with me like Kelsey did, but I also didn’t expect the dark scowl on his face either.
“That’s great. I’m happy for you.” Nathan replied but his scowl was enough to drop the temperature in the room to icy temperatures.
“What’s the problem? He’s literally one of your top two highest-grossing artists.” I reminded him.
“He’s also the biggest playboy in the industry. You could fill a stadium with the amount of people he’s slept with.”
“That has nothing to do with me.” I argued. Who Titan drops his pants for is none of my concern. I’m only there to dance. “This is the opportunity I’ve waited my whole life for Nathan.”
“I know. But excuse me for not jumping with joy at the thought of my girlfriend practically dry-humping one of my male artists in a different city every night for the sake of music.”
Anger spread behind my rib cage. I’ve worked my ass off as a dancer slash choreographer to make a name for myself in a city that’s cutthroat. In a world where it’s so easy to put aside your morals for opportunity, I’ve held onto mine; and believe me, it’s cost me some career defining offers. This was the first time that I was getting a shot to show my talent and I wasn’t going to let anyone, not even Nathan, diminish its importance.
Behind me, Nathan’s silence felt heavier than his usual presence. I could almost hear the cogs turning in his mind. The same man who’d defended me when my parents tried to clip my wings, who’d argued I should chase my dream of dancing no matter what, now standing here, trying to control the very dreams he once championed.
“You sound a lot like my dad right now,” I told him, my voice thick with emotion. “I’m sorry if I gave you the impression that you had a say in my career,” I stood up from the couch. A dangerous knot formed in my throat but I swallowed past it. I would not cry right now. “If you can’t support my dreams, then maybe we don’t need to continue this relationship,” I told him as the prickling sensation built up behind my eyes. “I’m going to sleep at home tonight.” I spun around and headed for the elevators just as the first tear slid down my cheek.
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
NATHAN
IT DIDN’T TAKEme long to spot Dalton.
For once, the bar wasn’t teeming with a stream of people, which allowed me to find my friend much faster than it normally would.
“Took you long enough. What, were you checking your makeup?” Dalton grumbled before sliding a shot of brandy down the bar towards me.
“Gotta make sure I look good for you.” I quipped, before gladly accepting the shot and throwing it back.
The alcohol burned its way down my throat and I motioned towards the bartender to bring another one.
“Drinking on a school night,” Dalton mused. “How’s Elise?”
“She’s fine,” I said, exhaling a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. “Physically, at least. It’s only been a little over twoweeks since Jax, and I can tell she’s still shaken, but she’s doing better every day.”
Dalton gave a small nod, his expression softening at the same time the bartender brought me my drink.
