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He stood, thought, and then rapped out the sequence.
Ruby shrank back down and tapped the other girl’s shoulder. “Come on, squirt. This performance is about revealing inner strength, not being a bully. Come and pick on an old lady.”
The young woman followed her, and as they stepped on the ice, Ruby asked, “Can a few of you use your phones so that there is no doubt as to the actual performance? I haven’t done this in nearly a decade. I am bound to fall on my face.” She caught Rayden’s grin.
The coach cued the music, and Ruby got into position. The crown wearer muttered, “I need to warm up.”
“Do it in motion.” Ruby heard the cue, and she and the other woman started to move. Axel, camel spin, getting speed into a double jump. She went through the entire list, and then she lazily skated doing her favourite moves. She felt delightfully stretched by the time the song was over. She glanced at the other woman, who was butt to ice and crying.
Ruby went over, got behind her, and said, “Feet under you.”
She was hoisted up, and then Ruby pushed her back to the crowd. “So, I am guessing she didn’t finish the list.”
The woman, Steffy, hung her head. “No.”
“Did you want to stretch and try it again on another day?” Ruby patted her back. “You guys have rehearsal today.”
She winced. “No. I concede. If you can do that after years of not practicing, you’ve got skills.”
“I did. Now I work boring jobs to pay bills. It sucks to grow up.”
She headed back to change into her boots, and the coach ordered everyone to warm up.
“Ruby, I would love it if you would take part in the show. Really.”
She paused while struggling with the laces. Rayden had put them on snugly. “Really?”
“Yes. You know the choreography back and forth, up and down. You would be a blessing to the performance.”
She went back to wrestling with the knot. “I am not booting off folks who tried out to take part in the show. I am just going to buy a ticket like everyone else.”
“You can’t. We are sold out for all eight performances. The only way you can get tickets is by being in the show.”
Ruby stared at him. “You’re joking.”
“No. I am not. We practice every day, six to eight. Dress rehearsals on the weekend at six at the outdoor amphitheatre.”
She sighed. “Pink pixie is only on the set for twelve minutes. Can I leave after that?”
“Will you understudy the patchwork pixie?”
“Um, okay. Why not? Steffy looks sturdy.”
He snorted. “She is. But I really want you to be part of this again.”
“But early mornings.” She whined. “Driving and drinking coffee. Never finding the right donut. It’s a lot of fuss in my old age.”
The coach sighed. “Stand up.”
“Why?”
“Because you did good, and it’s time for a hug.”
His arms came around her, but then she heard growling.
She pushed away and said, “It is entirely possible that I will be charged for assault, so keep that in mind.”
Mr. Kensington put his hand on her shoulder and pulled her out of the coach’s embrace. “She will not be charged. He’s been arrested for several counts of sexual assault as well as assault and harassment. It will be next year before any of it goes before a judge.”
