Ultimate Story

After the show, I rolled my neck. Crack. Time for a lay off. I could go back to New York and sleep. Mike came by after load out to give me a hug. He started walking away after saying good-bye.

“Not so fast.” I grabbed his shirt and pulled him to the ground. “What did you tell Ben?”

“Why would I talk to him?” He smiled mischievously. I put my knee into his chest. “Okay, fine.” He pushed me off of him. “I told him that lately you seemed sad and worried when you’re alone.”

“And why did you do that?” I faced him.

“Because you have,” he sighed. “Emily, I’ve been watching you. You have been and unfocused and you covered it up every time someone noticed. You’re good, that’s for sure. We care about you. We don’t want anything to happen to you.”

“I’m sorry.” I nodded. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll be fine. I can’t talk about it.”

“Is it illegal?” he asked.

“I can’t talk about it. Am I the type of person to get into something illegal?”

“You’re the type of person who would do anything to protect anybody.” He whispered as he pulled me to my feet. He gave me a cocked eyebrow look before walking away. I knew he was right.

I headed to grab my luggage from a side room before catching up with Ben. Now I was worried if people noticed it, how much more was I supposed to lie?

Dancing

“Directors are not.” I pointed out. “Hands on everything and sucking the life out of everyone to put the show on. But then again, we let them. Because we believe in it and therefore we believe in them.

B.2

Ben’s fury still was burning. “What happened to all the shit you told me before we went out to Colorado?”

            “I told you that Derek would try to screw her, and he did. I told you she had a soft spot in her heart for him. She does. I did not lie. I asked you to bring her back a virgin. You did. You are the one that saw them dance. Alex and Jake didn’t. You know how they look. Their passion flares from within.”

            Alex giggled. “Sorry, I really want to see her dance now.”

            Mike went to my suite to grab a DVD. He slipped it in for them to watch it. “This is why Emily is famous.” He found the rehearsal duet. “I think this is also premiering tonight. A former company member wanted to do it for them.” He pressed play. “Trevor taped it. The only other person besides me who will tolerate to put those two together.” Alex, Jake, Ben and Ben’s girlfriend were enthralled with Derek’s and my show. It was off a Disney soundtrack, which we use as warm-ups or inspiration. Our bodies connected as one. The viewer couldn’t tell who was leading at times. There was nothing spectacular about the dance from a critic’s view. It represented Derek and me at the utmost vulnerable times. He turned me with the grace of angel and the respect of a gentleman. He held me with power and control. I held his hand hoping to never let go. At the end we kissed with desired passion. They could hear Trevor laughing or crying in the background. Mike ejected it when it was over. “That’s what I was protecting Em from Ben. Rehearsals are far more intense than any performance could ever be. They are famous because they can bond on a level that isn’t humanly possible to comprehend.”