Return to Midnight by Emma Dues

Author:Emma Dues [Dues, Emma]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Published: 2024-08-27T00:00:00+00:00

SEVEN HOURS AND FIFTEEN MINUTES BEFORE

“Seriously, Hanna, don’t answer that,” Evan says. Out of all the couples that my friend group has cycled through over the years, Evan and Hanna have remained the most consistent. They chose Oxford University together after dating all through high school, and Hanna has never hinted at any fights or drama. They’re always touching in some way, whether that’s holding hands, bumping legs under a table, or standing close enough for their shoulders to brush. No matter how much they’re together, it seems like they never tire of each other’s company.

Hanna’s phone vibrates on the coffee table with another incoming call from Alexander. After the call where he instructed her to convince me to come to the ballet, it’s been ringing nonstop.

“If I don’t answer, then he won’t stop calling,” Hanna grumbles beside me on the couch.

Evan loops his arm around her shoulders and pulls her close. “Then maybe it’s time you let me talk to him.” He kisses her on the forehead.

She laughs. “You know that’s not a good idea.”

“Why, because you know I’ll scare him off?” He winks.

“That might do him some good,” I say, remembering Alexander’s tone as he yelled at Hanna, demanding she change my mind. “I don’t know if he’s ever been put in his place.”

“Perfect.” He twists his baseball hat backward, eliminating the shadow that was cast over his somewhat sunburned nose. “I’ll make sure this guy knows just who he’s messing with. Besides, don’t you guys have that quick run-through at the studio tonight where you’ll see him anyways?”

As he punches the air, flexing his biceps, Hanna and I both laugh. But I can’t shake the unease that’s settled over me since Alexander’s first call. Something about the way Hanna’s face fell while he was yelling at her, something going on behind her eyes, suggested this wasn’t the first time he’d abused the power he has over her.

“What’s going on out here?” Remi and Kyle emerge from the kitchen, a bag of chips and a bowl of dip in hand.

“Evan’s planning to beat up Alexander,” I explain, my sides sore from laughter.

Remi looks to Hanna first with an almost solemn expression. “Oh, did—”

“No,” Hanna cuts in, flustered. “No, he’s not going to do that because he knows it would ruin my chances of Alexander recommending me to the artistic director of the Dayton Ballet. Isn’t that right, Evan?”

Evan settles back on the couch next to Hanna and leans his head against hers. “Of course, babe. I was just messing around.”

Remi laughs, lightening the air that’s grown thick with tension. “Chips, anyone?”

“We have rehearsal in less than an hour,” Hanna huffs.

Remi rolls her eyes. “Who cares? It’s literally just marking the new variation so it sticks in our brains.”

As much as I don’t want to go back into the studio tonight or face Alexander after hearing how angry he is with me, I also don’t want to forget the fresh choreography. If I do, I’ll have hell to pay in rehearsal on Monday.

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