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He stares back at me like he’s trying to work me out, maybe wondering if I have snapped and this is some kind of crazy talk. But it's not. I'm going to live like that from now on. Life is for living, and I'm going to bring all my dreams to reality. "I've been offered a new job," I tell him. Now is as good a time as any. I have been dying to tell him since earlier today when Cynthia called.
"Doing what?" His voice has a curious edge to it.
"An assistant choreographer for a Broadway show. It's like a crazy opportunity for me, I can't even believe they want me."
He smiles a genuine smile that meets his eyes and makes his dimples stand out. He's happy for me. "I can. You're a beautiful dancer, and just look at what you’ve done for the girls here this year. Your choreography speaks for itself."
I smile back, warmth spreading through me and making me feel like everything is going to be okay. "This is like my dream job, Brandon. But it's in New York. I haven't said yes yet, I wanted to talk to you first."
"You have to say yes," he responds with surprise.
I stand up, needing to move, the restless energy fluttering through me getting to be too much. "But I know you have this whole life here, your ma and the boys, but if I take this job, I want you to come with me. We can start over somewhere new without all the trouble from our past standing in our way." There, I got out what I really wanted to say to him. I look back to him, praying that his answer is yes, but knowing it's impossible. I'm asking too much.
He stands, closing the gap between us, taking my hands in his. "You want me to come with you?" I can't tell if he's in shock or just trying to process what I'm telling him.
I stare into his eyes, hoping that I am enough for him. I'm worth leaving this life he has made for himself to start something new with me. "I know it's a lot to ask, but there's something real here between us, and we've never been given the time to explore it properly. This could be our chance to rewrite our history. Our proper second chance." My hands grow clammy wrapped in his as I try to wait patiently for him to respond. "Please, Brandon, say something. You're making me even more anxious than I already was."
His lips turn up and his eyes sparkle with excitement. "Yes."
"Yes, you’ll come with me? Or yes you will say something?" I stutter out frantically, needing to know.
He releases my hands, pulling me into him. "Of course I will. When I sent that audition tape off, I was hoping it could be the fresh start you deserved, a chance to follow your dream in a way. I just wanted you to have the opportunity to explore what it could be like. Like I had playing professionally."
When he sent off the tape? Here I have been stressing about telling him and he was the one that set it all up for me. I pull back a little so I can see his face. "You did this for me? I couldn't work out how they got the tape, but this makes more sense. Thank you." A tear I didn't even know had formed rolls down my cheek. I can't believe I ever doubted us.
"You deserve the best, baby, this is your time to shine like the star we all know you are. A fresh start where we can be the people we always wanted to be. I thought coming back here this year and righting some wrongs would heal all the shit from the past, and in some ways it has, but it's also made me realize that I'm not this person anymore. I’ve moved on, and I want something different for my life. With you."
"What about the boys?" I utter, still in shock that it's all coming together so nicely for once.
"They have everything under control, they don't need me. My heart is with you, Shortcake, it always has been. If this is what you want, I'm all in with you." He pulls me toward him, kissing me with everything he has. I feel like my heart is going to leap right out of my chest it's so full right now.
"When do we leave?"
"The show doesn't start until later next year, and I really wanted to be able to finish up the school year, so we negotiated June if I do a bit of back and forth for the planning stages. Can you make that work?"
"June sounds perfect." His lips are on mine again, and I walk backward, leading him to my room. This year has been so unexpected in every way possible, but from now on, I'm okay with that. I'm going to take every day as is comes and enjoy every second I get to spend with Brandon fucking Lewis.
EPILOGUE
CASSANDRA—Six months later
Ifussaroundournew one-bedroom apartment, trying to unpack all our belongings before it gets too late in the day. I want to be settled in tonight, eating some of New York’s finest takeout so we can spend a fun-filled weekend exploring the city before I officially need to be at the theater for work on Monday. Moving to New York was always on my wish list, and now it's actually happened. I can hardly contain my excitement.
Brandon drops another box on the bed for me to unpack. I turn to him, so overfilled with love. "Thank you. This is a dream come true, and it's all because of you." I cup his handsome face, running my fingers along his stubble. This all feels so right. Being here in New York with him, about to start my new job.
"It's all you, baby, you did this. You have worked toward it your entire life, and it's what you deserve. I can't wait to see what you achieve."
Since I was offered the job and we made the decision to actually do this together, our relationship has become so much stronger. He is honest with me and lets me in on what’s happening in his life, and I have been able to open up to him about my depression and anxiety. Brandon didn't officially move out of his place with the boys until yesterday, but he was with me every night in my little cottage because it felt more like home. The last few weeks have been hectic for him, trying to tie up all the loose ends in Palm Springs, but I can see it now, he's relaxed in a way he hasn't been in so long. We’re away from all the drama, and we can just be ourselves.
I move out of his grip and back to my task at hand, knowing if I stay in his arms for too long, we’ll end up on this bed naked, and that will be the end of getting anything done. I don’t recognize the box he brought in. "What's in this one?"
"It was just delivered to us." He shrugs.
I slice open the tape to see some dark green fabric. Pulling it out, I hold it up to him. "Looks like it's your new uniform. Going to look sexy as hell on you." I smirk, tossing him the Jets jersey and cap. He strips off his T-shirt to try it on, and I can't help the way my teeth sink into my bottom lip. Fuck, he looks good. "You're going to make an amazing trainer, baby." I snap a quick pic of him and text it to his ma. She’s going to be so proud of him, and I promised I would update her daily.
His phone rings, and he looks at the screen then to me. "Did you just text Ma?"
"Yes. Go take it, she's probably wondering how it's all going." I shoo him off so I can get the rest of this box unpacked without his body to distract me.
