Slow Grind (Men of Mornington)

“A cab, Drew,” I explain patiently. “Cabs are an amazing mode of transportation. They take people from place to place for a small fee. It’s rather exciting.”

“Here in Australia we call them taxis,” he teases as I poke my tongue out at him. “Remember? I guess you can take the Aussie out of the Aussie girl.” He shakes his head sadly. “Living abroad has changed you, Aubs. Next, you’ll be calling me on your cell phone.”

“Go home,” I groan. I wet my lips, a devilish smile playing on them. “And for the record, you took the Aussie out of the Aussie girl about ten minutes ago.”

Laughing, he disappears out of my room. As soon as the front door opens and closes, I collapse back onto the bed and put a pillow over my face and scream, just in case he can still hear me. How did all of this happen? How did I wind up in bed with Drew? When my schoolgirl fit is over, I pull out my phone and bring up Emma’s number, then realise telling her about my wild night with Drew would be kind of creepy. I scroll down to Jacey and tap out a quick message.

Me: Bucket list item achieved.

Jacey: Are you talking about the sexy Aussie stripper I keep hearing about?

Me: Yep. Nailed it!

Jacey: I’ve never been more proud to call you my friend! Was it amazing?

Me: Better than I could have dreamed.

Jacey: Hot?

Me: OMG Jacey, you have no idea. SOOOO FUCKING HOTTTT

Jacey: I do have an idea. I watched the show on YouTube. But, text me when it’s not midnight the night before finals?

Me: Shit. Sorry. I gotta go record my routine for my exam, anyway. Love you. Good luck.

Jacey: Love you, bye, buttercup.

Jumping out of bed, I take a quick shower and throw on a pair of tights, black leotard and slip my feet into my pointe shoes that feel like a second home. I haven’t had any time to practice any more than I did before I left America, but this is the last thing I have to do to get my degree. My other finals were easy and done online in between all of the crazy surrounding Max.

This one, though; this is the make or break. This could be the difference in me actually getting somewhere with my dancing.

After running through the number a few times, I cue up the laptop, turn on the video recorder and start the music. The routine goes by fast. Too fast. I watch it back quickly to make sure it actually recorded, and I prepare to send. It’s hard to believe the last three minutes and forty-two seconds will determine my future. I think I killed it, but who knows? I may not have been able to do it in front of my instructors and heads of dance companies, but I hope I’ve impressed them enough to at least consider me for their schools.

I hit send on the video and pray for the best. It will be days before I hear anything, so instead of waiting around, I change out of my dance attire and exchange it for jeans and a long sweater. I gla

nce outside at the gloomy, grey sky and shiver. Right about now, I’m a little pissed about missing my New York summer.

Using the app on my phone, I hail a cab the new-school way and wait downstairs for the few minutes for it to show up. Right on time, as the app predicted, I’m heading toward Drew’s, a little too excited to see him again—especially considering it’s literally been hours since I saw him last. I’m not even sure if it’s more than a one-night thing, but I’m hopeful.

“Afternoon, ma’am. Who are you here to visit?” the doorman says, stopping me before getting on the lift.

“Hi, I’m heading up to see Andrew Ditner,” I grin. God, even saying his name gives me goosebumps.

“I should call ahead,” he says, smiling at me.

“I’d like to surprise him if that’s okay.”

“Your name? I can see if you’re on the approved list.”

“Aubrey Rosewood.”

“You’re Max’s kid sister, right? I’ve heard a lot about you.” And there it is again. Max’s little sister. Let’s just hope Drew still doesn’t see me as the doe-eyed kid who chased around after him and the other guys. Let’s hope I’m just Aubrey.

“Yep, that’s me,” I say with a groan.

“Max helped us out by designing new logos for us last year. Nice guy. Shame about him being sick again.” He shakes his head. “Go on up, Ms. Rosewood. Have a good day.”

“Thanks.”