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“You okay?” Ivan whispers behind me.
“I need to get out of here.”
I stand from the table, plastering a smile, giving both of my dads an uncertain handshake, and nodding to my brothers.
“If you’ll excuse me,” I murmur.
I can’t fucking believe Arthur Holland is my father.
When I finally hit the fresh, cool air, I inhale a large breath, hoping the shiver will wake up the darkness of my soul, but it’s no use.
The old me is clawing at my enclosure. The familiar façade begging to be let out again, and for the first time in so long, I listen.
Like a shadow, I stalk down the dark sidewalk, heading in the direction of my favorite nightclub, Sympathy.
When I bypass the line outside the door, I come face to face with the security I know has missed the fuck out of me.
“Jett, long time no see.”
“Haven’t given my table away yet, have you?”
“Never. Welcome back.”
CHAPTER 49
FIA
“Nashville, it’s so good to be home. Thank you for the best night. See you next week.”
The piercing screams over Haven’s goodbye make my shallow breathing and racing heart simmer. Closing our first week of shows back home has been a whirlwind. Being here feels so magical. When the lights dim, we all shuffle softly backstage, recovering with every step.
“Guys, that was so amazing. I can’t believe how good it feels being back here.”
We form a huddle around Haven, smiles covering the faces of everyone as she praises us.
“The atmosphere is so different here,” Sean chimes in.
He’s one of the three dancers not from Tennessee, so he doesn’t understand the hometown advantage, but he certainly feels it.
“Speaking of something different, before we break, I want to share something with you guys.”
Looking over at me with questioning eyes, Haven’s eyebrow rises, and I give an approving nod.
My stomach sinks. It’s finally time. We’ve been keeping this secret for a while, and I got comfortable with it being just between the two of us, and Jett, but it has to come out eventually.
She gives me a large smile, one that forces a few other eyes in my direction, before she traps everyone’s attention back on her.
“I have a new single coming out next week.”
The group claps and cheers, everyone bouncing up and down at the news. New music means new choreography, and for dancers, there’s nothing better.
“Oh my gosh, that’s amazing,” Shannon beams, inching closer into the huddle.
“It’s a little different than my usual. A little more…” She smiles to herself, and I can’t help but love how she’s feeling about her reinvention. “Sexy,” she finally says.
“Anyways, I say all that to say, I’ve been working with Fia on the choreography, and she’s come up with an incredible dance. The Blazettes are going to perform it with her next Saturday, then you all will learn it for the rest of the tour.”
As expected, all eyes lock in on me. The reaction is mixed. Some smiles, some stares far from accepting—shockingly, Taylor’s grin is the first I see. Standing at the back, her eyes glimmer, only enough for me to notice.
