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With a deep boom, Ivan smacks my shoulder, and the pounding in my head vibrates everywhere.

“Jett, stop making excuses and go get your girl.”

CHAPTER 63

FIA

“How do you feel about tonight?”

Taylor pulls me out of my phone as we sit in the lounge part of our dressing room.

Tonight is our final night in Toronto, and the only thing getting me through today is the fact that my youth girls perform in an hour. There’s no doubt in my mind that I’d rather be with them at Dance Tech, but I’m filled with excitement to watch them.

“Same as always, I guess,” I mutter.

My half-assed attempt at excitement is a waste of time, because she notices immediately.

“Is this about your boyfriend?”

My eyebrows lift when I notice the once-over she’s giving me, before glancing back down at my screen, trying hard not to get emotional at the thought of him.

“What?” I play stupid, not wanting to address how embarrassing all of this is if I don’t have to.

“I mean, when we got a new pilot, I kind of assumed something happened. I just didn’t want to press.”

“Oh, no,” I hesitate. “We’re still together; he just took an extra couple of days off. It’s no big deal.”

If I talked any faster, my words may as well mush together, but if I spend any longer talking about him, I’ll cry. No, we aren’t broken up, but there’s still a hint of uncertainty as I wait for him to get through whatever it is that he’s going through. We’re texting here and there, but I’ve been trying to give him his space, and he’s sadly taking it.

“It doesn’t seem like it’s no big deal.”

I turn my attention back to my phone, opening my internet browser to find Dance Tech’s website, waiting in the queue for the live stream to begin.

The familiar jingle of the competition brings me a sense of peace that I need right now. Enough to get me through this conversation.

“Just in my head, I guess.”

Lying about all of this used to be fun. There was a thrill behind it all because I knew what was really happening behind closed doors. Now it just feels like I’m dismissing a relationship that once felt so stable.

“You know what helps me after a breakup?” The change in Taylor’s disposition takes me by surprise. She’s almost jumping off the couch.

“Not a breakup,” I correct.

“Well, this helps with all things— Chocolate!”

Our giggles morph together as I welcome the lightness that she brings, watching her head to the two tables full of all types of treats.

Cookies, brownies, candy, donuts, chips, anything you could think of. It looks like a six-year old’s birthday party, for crying out loud.

With an overflowing pink bowl, Taylor skips back in our direction, sitting beside me again on the loveseat.

“Here.” She smiles, handing me a mini Snickers candy. “I’m a firm believer in the commercial.”

When I rip open the wrapper, I moan at the sweet taste the second it hits my tongue. The only other thing I had today was a strawberry matcha, and that wore off hours ago. The sticky nougat and chocolate immediately stick to the inside of my stomach, filling my stomach in a way I didn’t realize I needed.

“So good,” I mumble, cozying into the couch. “Thank you.”

Here we are at another moment where I don’t feel like opening up, but this time, I don’t have to. She doesn’t pry; she’s just there.