Page 70 of Barinov

Briggs stifles a laugh, nearly dropping his phone to the floor.

Haley runs over to Rez and the two of them start whispering. Both glancing at Ellie, then point to a turning sequence she just landed. Rez says something to her and motions to Javi for her to go relay it.

Haley darts over to Javi, leaning up to whisper something in his ear.

“Cut the music!” Javi yells at Knox. “Say that again, Hales.”

“Well,” Haley says, eyeing between Rez and Ellie. She gestures toward the back. “Rez noticed it first. It’s honestly his suggestion. We think she should do that final pirouette to the right instead of the left and then let herself collapse down to the floor.”

Javi blinks once. Then twice.

He turns slowly to Rez, narrowing his eyes. “Is that so?”

“It just looks off.” Rez shrugs, all casual. “Then Haley said El’s right-side dominant, so it makes sense. Thought it might flow better was all.”

“Hmm,” Javi hums, his hands planted firmly on his hips. “I hate to admit it, Miss Whitmore, but the Russian Ken doll might be correct.”

“Oh my God!” Knox shouts, completely losing it from the sound booth. “I’m so gonna use that for your next fight night intro, Rez.”

“Pipe down Discount-DJ,” Javi snaps, shooting Knox a heated look over his shoulder.

“Woah!” Knox laughs into the mic, dramatically placing a hand on his chest. “Et tu, Javi?”

“Just cue it up,” Javi says, grinning. “Let’s try this again from the top and fix that last pirouette to the right.”

Ellie nods and gets into position.

“Rez,” Javi yells. “Any other suggestions?”

He hesitates before saying, “A few.”

“Then front and center. But just know, if this flops and she fails miserably it’s all on you.”

Rez walks up as the music starts. He runs the sequence with Ellie, helping her spin and collapse to the right this time. They add in a few other turns and moves I don’t know the name of. I’m no professional dancer or any shit like that, but Rez’s way does look pretty damn good. Sexy, even.

Javi stands back and watches the two of them like a hawk, hands on his hips and bouncing slightly with the beat.

“Well shit, looks like the Russian Ken doll is quite the dancer after all, Javi. Maybe even better than you,” Knox calls out from the booth as the music ends, a smug grin growing wider with each word. “Better hope Rez isn’t comin’ for—.”

“Ah, sí claro,” Javi cuts him off, his voice high-pitched and vibrating with annoyance. “¿Primero me insultas y luego me reemplazas?”

“Wait,” Knox snickers while pulling out his phone. “Sloooow down and say that again. I need to put it into my translation app.”

“It means first you insult me, then you replace me,” Javi says, pinching the bridge of his nose and tapping his toe on the dance floor. “Sometimes I wonder if your DJ skills are worth all the hassle.”

“You know you love me,” Knox says, blowing Javi a kiss.

The studio bursts into scattered laughter.

“However,” Javi says, turning his attention to Rez. “I could use an assistant that knows their shit and won’t sob into their clipboard every time I correct their posture. Any chance you’re looking for a job?”

Rez raises a brow, but just shakes his head. “Couldn’t pay me enough.”

“Pity,” he says, tracing a finger down his clipboard. “Okay, seniors. Show me what you’ve got for senior night.”

The girls head out to the floor to begin their routine.

Briggs elbows me. “Hey, I’ve been meanin’ to ask you something.”