Sweet Satisfaction

I turned and almost smacked into Phil. “When I can put in the offer ?”

“Today, if you want. I’ll get started on the paperwork .”

“Do it.” I looked at the hardwood floors. They needed to be refinished. The kitchen needed new tile. “How soon can I close? I want to get a remodeling crew up here immediately .”

“Uh, I’d have to check with the sellers, but I see no reason we can’t do it quickly .”

“I’ll pay cash, so you don’t have to worry about a bank holding us up. And I don’t need an inspection. I’ll take it as-is. I have a lot of plans for the space .”

Phil looked stunned. “That’s excellent news. I’ll call the sellers immediately and get everything ready for you .”

“Great. Call me when it’s ready to sign .”

I walked out of the apartment and jogged down the stairs to my own place. This was how I was going to do it. I’d build her a studio. I’d show her the life we could have together .

I understood she wanted to make money and stand on her own. I respected that, but it was keeping us apart when we should be together. I didn’t want to pay her to be my girlfriend—I tried to explain to her it wasn’t like that. I’d pay the bills and the mortgage while she focused on ballet. It wasn’t a paid relationship .

Sneaking around like this wasn’t going to work. If the Goddesses found out, they would fire her. I knew they had strange traditions, as did our dance team. The girls took some things more seriously than the players .

And then it hit me. I scrolled through my phone and looked at the pictures we took together this morning on the lake before we left .

It was shitty. But I knew exactly how to free Natalia so she could do what she really loved .

Twenty-Eight

Natalia

R oad trips were not my favorite thing. I threw my warm up outfits in a bag along with my makeup case. I also didn’t want to admit that flying out of state meant being far from Sam. It sounded silly, but I didn’t want to be farther away from him than I had to be .

He promised me another trip to Canyon Lake when we both had a day off again .

I hadn’t seen him in six days and I missed him. We talked every night, but it wasn’t the same. He texted throughout the day, but I wanted to kiss him. He sent me flowers in the middle of the week, and I wanted to jump in his arms to thank him .

I hated to admit it, but maybe he was right. Maybe being in two different cities was too hard. I struggled with the decision, but I wanted to finish the season with the Goddesses. There was a part of me that knew I had taken someone else’s spot at try outs. There was a girl out there who dreamed of being a Goddess her entire life, and I made the cut and she didn’t .

What did it say to her if I walked away? What did it say to the other girls on the team if I left before the playoffs? Part of being a dancer meant supporting the other dancers. It wasn’t only about me. I didn’t think I had made that clear to Sam. Ballet would be there when I was done with this commitment. I had to pray he would be too .

I zipped up my bag and hauled it to the front door. We had several press events and a big part in the halftime show. There was more packing required than usual and the bag felt too heavy .

Heather and Presley met me at the gates of the squad entrance .

“Ready to fly ?”

“I’m all packed.” I held up my bags. I smiled brightly .

“This is going to be amazing,” Heather helped me put my bag on the cart. “I love traveling .”

I put my arm around her shoulder. “Is there anything about being a Goddess you don’t love?” I teased .

“Not a thing,” she answered. “It’s the best job in the world .”

Presley puckered her lips and applied a layer of lipgloss. “The best. Why would you want to do anything else? We dance. We travel. The men love us.” She laughed .

I tried to keep a straight face. “That’s true .”

She smacked her lips together. “We know you want to go back to the ballet. But could you least pretend you’re having some fun ?”

“You know what? I am having fun.” I giggled. “I appreciate what you all have done for me. I do.” I pulled them into a hug .