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Changed for You

Page 191

by Ken Blakely

My chest tightens, because even without the bright lights, I know that body.

“I’ve been saving something for tonight,” Haven says, letting the crowd sing her praises before she continues. “I wanna play a little something special for you guys, something different. I know you love my soft stuff, but would you be okay with something a little…sexier?” she asks shyly, but her audience doesn’t let her stay nervous.

They go crazy.

“I hoped you would.” She smiles. “I’ve got a little help tonight. You guys recognize the Blazettes, right?” She showcases them, letting the crowd hype them the way they deserve. “They’re going to help me out, along with one of my incredible dancers, Fia Chandler.”

I stop hearing the crowd around me. The only screams I hear are my own. All four of us yell at the top of our lungs for Fia as the spotlight shines solely on her—exactly the way it should.

Dressed in a sparkly green bra and matching sweats, her confidence is contagious.

Looking in our direction, Fia finds Sienna before her gaze settles on me. As soon as she finds me, though, I’m where she stays.

You got this, I mouth, and I could be hallucinating, but I swear I see her nod at me.

“This is my new single, ‘Redemption,’” Haven says. “I hope you love it.”

I couldn’t tell you a word of Haven’s single, and I’ve heard it hundreds of times. Really, I couldn’t tell anyone anything.

All is see is Fia.

She’s the only one up there worth looking at. She shines so much brighter than the rest of the dancers. They’re merely there to highlight her, and it seems like the rest of our tent agrees.

A few minutes after the show began, a flood of pre-teen girls crammed in here with us. I know now they’re here for Fia, because since the dance started, they haven’t stopped cheering.

“Fia! Fia! Fia!”

It was so contagious, even we joined in. Before we knew it, the entire arena was screaming her name.

All the hard work she’s put in over the past couple of months wrapped up into one night. The way she moves, the way she shines, it was unlike anything I’ve ever seen.

The way she made the stage her own, the movements she came up with in that beautiful head of hers, front and center for the world to see—to love, just like I knew they would.

Once the show ends, the dancers and Haven close with a round of bows, and all of us stay put as we wait for Fia to come out.

My nerves seem to all be balling together as the reality that she’s no longer mine hits me heavily, making it hard to breathe.

When she’s finally free, Fia strides out in baggy sweats, her hair and makeup still just as perfect as it was on stage.

“Oh, MY GOD. You were amazing!” Sienna squeals, jumping into her friend’s arms, almost pushing her over. Sweetly laughing at her, Fia breaks from her grasp, addressing all of us standing here.

“Thank you guys for coming,” she says to everyone, before making her way to me.

When she gets to me, my arms fall comfortably at her hips, and she rises onto her toes, planting a soft kiss to my lips.

Damn, that feels good.

“Thank you for being here,” she whispers sweetly.

“Wanna go get a drink?” Sienna asks, and Fia smiles in acknowledgment.

Outside, the cold December air freezes my lungs, but beside me, Fia is just the warmth I need to liven up the rest of my body.

Wanting her even closer, I slow my steps so she and I are farther behind Duke and Sienna. Tugging on her arm, I get her to take a few steps back, forcing everyone to continue their pace ahead of us.

“You did amazing,” I tell her, warming her chilled fingers between mine.

“Thank you.” She smiles, and a pretty flush colors her nose and cheeks.