Gravity Romance Collection: Dance Romance by Allen K.K

Author:Allen, K.K.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-11-07T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20

Amelia

The UCLA Training Facility was bustling on Saturday morning with an array of talent who wore everything from bright and hopeful expressions to unabashed confidence. All I had to do was glance at the young girl stretching with her leg pressed against her ear to remember the year I wore that same poise. It seemed like ages ago that I had first walked through that entryway, slapped that audition sticker on my tank top, and strutted across that floor like they’d never seen such a jazz walk before.

Ever since I’d left the NBA, my confidence had skyrocketed. I didn’t question my expertise, or my personality, or my body. I’d gotten enough jobs over the years to know that opportunities were just that. They weren’t the be-all and end-all of my career, because my career was dance, not the Lions.

With a lift of my shoulders, I charged forward, only to freeze just inside the next set of double doors. It was an instant reaction, triggered by the sight of row upon row of dancers in midstretch, just like my audition three years ago. My chest started growing heavier with each breath. Until I felt the haunting of my past whoosh down and suffocate me with its nasty fingers.

What was I thinking? I couldn’t do it again. Not when it all looked so much … the same. What would I gain? The redemption that Lex and Shane had mentioned felt insignificant compared to the onslaught of memories that catapulted me in this space. Horrible idea.

My feet moved quickly, retreating from the ugly memories and wanting to get as far away as possible.

“Amie, wait!”

The voice from behind sounded familiar, but I couldn’t stop to look. Not until I heard her call again. The accent was what halted me. I turned, my eyes burning from unshed tears and my pulse racing. It was fight or flight, and I was determined to save myself before it was too late.

“You came.” Zoie’s tone was light, hopeful, and worried, and it broke my heart into pieces.

“I did. But I can’t stay. I’m so sorry.”

“You must stay. You’re here. You must want this, at least a little bit?”

I swallowed. “I don’t know what I want anymore. I’m not even sure I wanted any of this for the right reasons. I’m just—”

“Scared? Confused? Angry?”

I nodded.

She tilted her head, noting her concern. “This must be so strange for you, coming back here after everything that happened.”

My face fell as confusion raced through my thoughts. “But you don’t know what happened.”

Her brows turned in. “I know that you never got to dance in a live game. I know you were abused, mentally and physically, by your coach—”

“Yes, but I also quit. Why would you want a quitter on your team?” Zoie expelled a breath, and I couldn’t tell if she was frustrated at the topic or me.

“I had the privilege of gaining some insight into Coach Sparks’s methods through her very detailed log book. It covered her expectations for each of her dancers, and I learned a lot.

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