Page 49 of Grunt: A Marine Romance

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THEY DID IT!

Xavier and Selena were one of the final five couples on this season of Dancing under the Stars. God, they could actually win this thing!

The other four couples in the quarterfinal were Dima and Laura, Vika and Asher, Jenny and Dion, and Bret and Robyn. They all had to perform three dances the following week: a freestyle, their favorite dance from the season, and a group paso doble. Today they were all meeting at the studio to practice their group paso. It wouldn’t be easy. Paso was the man’s dance and Xavier would really need to work hard to outshine Dima and Bret.

Selena arrived at the studio an hour before anyone. No way in hell was she going to be late like she was for the fitness video. The whole Perez Hilton scandal had blown over a tad and she just tried to keep a low profile and get through the season. Vika still hadn’t spoken to her since their fight. Not a single word. Even last night, when Selena congratulated her on being named one of People Magazine’s sexiest reality stars. Nada. Vika just gave her one of her empty smiles and walked off the set.

Dima acted all calm and collected when he was questioned about his and Selena’s relationship during the release party for the Dancing under the Stars video game. He simply said that yes, he and Selena hadn’t been involved for three years and that they were just friends and former partners. He was even nice enough to deny the rumors that Selena had cheated with Bret or that Selena had ever had a miscarriage. Selena was glad the press believed Dima. It was just too bad that he was still too immature to still dance with her. That was the only thing they fought about now. Dima swore he would never again compete with Selena professionally.

She still hadn’t figured out who leaked the miscarriage story to the press. Dima denied it completely and she had calmed down and realized that Jenny would never betray her like that. Maybe Dima had told a student or someone and she sold the story. It didn’t matter anyway—her secret was out and her relationship with Bret was over for good.

In the studio, Selena turned on some Shakira and warmed up. It was kind of nice having this place all to herself. Shakira’s voice vibrated through Selena’s body and she just let herself go. That was what she loved, being free and just dancing for herself.

“Great moves, Sel.”

She spun to the door behind her. Xavier had arrived with his four-person entourage plus Robyn and Bret. They were all standing in front of her, staring at the sweat glistening on her body.

“You still game for choreographing my tour?” he said. “It’s gonna be slammin’.” His people dispersed around the room, like the secret service. They watched Xavier’s every move, just in case he needed anything.

She grabbed her towel and wiped herself down. “Absolutely. It’s my dream job.” And what was stopping her, now that she lost Bret and couldn’t compete with Dima?

Vika and Asher strolled in, holding hands. Two seconds behind them were Dima and Laura, who couldn’t keep their hands off each other. Selena knew nothing was going on with Vika and Asher—Vika wasn’t stupid enough to cheat on Benny. She wasn’t sure about Dima and Laura, though. God, was Selena the only professional on this entire show never to hook up with her celebrity? It was so inappropriate. But she knew Dima was just trying to make her jealous.

“Let’s get this party started, people,” Selena said.

Laura pranced to the center of the floor with Dima, Vika and Asher following. Bret and Robyn stood next to Vika. Bret gave Selena a cool look. Maybe he was really done with her. She knew in her heart that they were meant to be together, but she was starting to doubt if he would ever forgive her. They only had three weeks left together and then she might never see him again.

“So, Selena, where do you want the celebrity men to start?” Vika asked.

Was God’s gift to dancing asking for her help? “Why do you assume I’m choreographing them? You’re the two-time reigning Dancing under the Stars champion.”

She fluffed out her hair. “True. But it’s paso doble. Benny always does my pasos, and unfortunately he’s tied up with training your precious Elizabeth right now. Dima said he doesn’t want to do it, and God knows I’m not going to let Jenny choreograph our paso. We don’t want to get laughed off a stage. This is Dancing under the Stars, not Stumbling around the Stars.”

Normally, Selena would’ve told off Vika and defended Jenny. But this time she laughed. Vika had a point. Jenny was a brilliant Standard dancer but barely survived choreographing the Latin dances.

None of that stopped Jenny from reacting, though. Dion slapped his hand over his eyes as she went off. “Listen, Vika, I did make it to the finale last season. Selena didn’t help me with every dance.”

“She’s right—just every Latin dance.” Did Selena just say that out loud?

Jenny got in her face. “Fine. Just to show you both that I can choreograph Latin, I’m going to make the solo part for my paso doble all by myself.”

Disaster. “Now’s not the time to prove . . .”

Jenny covered Selena’s mouth with her hands. “I don’t need your help, Sel. I can do it alone.”

“Okay, fine,” Selena said. “But I’m going to do the group part. Only because I’m going to win this thing and I don’t want either of you screwing up my victory with your choreography.” She poked Xavier in the abs then waved them all over. “Xavier, Dion, Asher, Dima, and Bret—get behind me. You’ll totally love the paso. It’s the man’s dance. You’re bullfighters and we are your capes. This is a dance of aggression. Most important thing is to stand up, strong and tall. Chests out, shoulders back. And when you step forward, you are using a heel lead like in the Standard dances. ¿Comprende?”

None of them said a word. They looked scared. Oh, boy… “Jen, go grab them some sheets in the back room to use as practice capes, will you?”

Jen ran off, without pausing to question Selena. Hey there, kinda fun being in charge….

Selena went through some basic steps and the celebrity men practiced walking. The Latin guitarist, the Nascar racer, and the reality star strutted across the floor. Sounded like the beginning of a joke. “Why don’t you gentlemen take your shirts off so I can make sure your shoulders are down?” Xavier, Asher, and Dion obediently got undressed. This was fun. The guys were very masculine and looked totally hot doing this dance. Bret gave her a dirty look. Hell, Selena was single—there was no harm in looking.

Xavier strutted by Selena for the fourth time, his butt finally tucked tight and firm. He leaned over and whispered into her ear. “You’re so great at this, Sel. You have to do my tour.” Yes, she did. This was a total blast. It was what she was meant to do. Bret could say what he wanted about Dancing under the Stars, but Selena never would’ve realized how much she loved choreographing if she hadn’t done this show. Since neither having a family nor competing was in her immediate future, maybe she could be happy choreographing concert tours.

“Attack it, Bret! Come on!” Selena harped since he seemed to hold back. She knew what he was capable of on this dance. She cut off Robyn, and then Selena and Bret faced off across the floor. “Pretend it’s me this time. You’re the matador and I’m your bull. Slay me!” Bret shot eyeball daggers at her. He crossed the floor, his chest erect, his feet stabbing toward her. Selena just teased him with her skirt, beckoning him closer. “Now we’re talking. Good job.” All the tension in this room was working great for this dance.