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Drawing in a deep breath through my nostrils, I unclench my fists and focus on Zayn.
“Fine,” I snap.
It’s not his fault Xeno’s acting like a prick but I can’t seem to help how Xeno makes me feel. I’m pissed off. Now might not be the right time to confront him, but soon Xeno and I will lock horns and I’ll be fucked if I sit back and let him continue to walk all over me. No.
“What are you all fucking looking at?” Xeno barks out to the rest of the crew.
“Fuuuck,” River whispers, not so softly that we aren’t able to hear.
Xeno turns away from us all and grabs a clipboard resting on the table next to the music dock. I imagine it lists his ideas for our end of year show. Not that he’s actually paying attention to it because I can see him watching Zayn warm up from his reflection in the mirror, a scowl on his beautiful face.
“What the fuck is going on?” River mumbles to Clancy as they start warming up next to me.
“I have no clue. Time of the month?” Clancy retorts under her breath, widening her eyes at River before pulling a face. He laughs and bends forward, placing the flat of his hands on the floor. Above him I meet Clancy’s curious stare and silently thank her for not giving anything away. I mean, River isn’t stupid, it’s obvious that there’s an issue between the three of us. Still, he doesn’t know it has everything to do with our past and nothing to do with this end of year show. I’d like to keep it that way.
When Clancy’s gaze shifts lower over my brand new dance clothes, a smile pulls up her lips.Wow, she mouths, flicking her gaze to Zayn and back to me, giving me one of her knowing looks. I cock my head, shrugging, knowing that I’m going to have to fill her in at least on a part of what’s gone down between Zayn and I, considering we’re now talking again. I’m not willing to share everything with Clancy just yet, when I’m not certain that Zayn and my tentative friendship is going to last given Xeno’s so obviously against it. Then again, I should have more faith in Zayn, he’s already shown me that he isn’t that same kid who follows Xeno’s orders like he always had when we were young. He’s his own man.
Clancy shifts closer, leaning over to talk quietly enough that she’s not overheard. “Girl, I think you’ve lit a fire beneath their arses,” she says, covering her mouth to cover a snort.
“Seriously, you’ve no idea,” I respond, thinking about Malik Brov’s nickname for me and Zayn’s letter. She’s about to respond to that statement with another question when Dax and York enter the studio.
“Oh, shit. Here comes more trouble,” Clancy mutters.
Refusing to look up, I concentrate on making sure I stretch in earnest and try not to focus on the heated glares between Zayn and the rest of the Breakers. The tension ramps up and I don’t think there’s a single person in the room that doesn’t feel it. Eventually I give in, unable to stomach the tension I feel. I look over at Dax surreptitiously beneath my lashes. He’s taken up an empty spot on the opposite side of the studio from me, his jaw is tight, his body tense. He doesn’t look at anyone, instead he warms up robotically, moving stiffly. The muscles on his thick arms tense and flex beneath the material of his tight, long sleeved t-shirt. The cut in his eyebrow is scabbed over and the swelling to his cheek not as pronounced, but the dark bruise is obvious and I’m not the only one who notices. Tiffany and Sophie give each other a look, and I know they’ll be gossiping the moment rehearsals are over. Screw them. They can talk all they like, so long as they don’t try and comfort Dax, then we’re good. Well, not good, but I won’t have to kill a bitch.
I watch Dax closely, not in the least bit surprised by how stiff he is. He might have won the fight on Friday and beaten his opponent to a pulp, but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t suffered for it. I swallow hard, trying not to think about how Dax will fare after his fight against Beast. Dragging my gaze away from Dax, I focus on York who has ignored everyone and is talking to Xeno in hushed tones. Their heads are pressed together, and York seems to be hissing something under his breath. I see that Zayn is watching them closely too, and whilst he seems relaxed on the surface, I can tell he’s far from it. I finish stretching out my spine and arm muscles and sit down on my arse. Spreading my legs wide, I lean over, placing my left hand on my right foot. I can feel the delicious pull of my hamstrings as I stretch them out, giving me the perfect opportunity to watch York and Xeno without being too obvious about it. A few moments later York catches me staring. He turns his back to me and reaches for the docking station to turn the music up. I sigh, resigning myself to the fact that this is going to be one awkward-as-fuck rehearsal.
Then again, what’s new?
