“Well, when you train with the best, you tend to be the best.”
“Touché, and let me just say that you are the first girl in my dance team history to get all tens from the hockey team.”
Her eyes meet mine again, and she smiles before she says in a very low, sexy voice, “Well, thanks, boys.”
Yup, my mind is mush. I can’t speak, hell, none of us can. She is just so damn hot.
Claire then looks back at Rachael and says, “Thank you for allowing me to try out. I hope I get the opportunity to dance with y’all.”
“I’m sure you will,” Rachael says, and then she calls Skylar’s name. I watch Claire walk back to the brunette, hugging her tightly and smiling so big her face is as bright as the sun. She is so beautiful.
“Jude Sinclair, you better give me a ten,” Skylar then calls at me and I laugh.
“We will see,” I say and she grins before her music starts, but like with everyone else, I can’t watch her, and when she’s done, I have to copy Jayden’s score, which is a nine. Skylar seems to be pleased, which is good, but I just couldn’t watch her.
I can’t do anything when Claire is the room. She’s the only thing I see.
Once Rachael announces that the tryouts are over, I hightail it toward Claire, reaching for her wrist to get her attention. She looks back at me and grins as she pulls a sweatshirt over her head, much to my dismay.
“So I heard you want to dance with somebody,” I say teasingly.
She laughs. “Maybe. You the man for the job?”
I find myself nodding like a fool. “I could be the heat you’re looking for.”
Shaking her head, she looks away. “Didn’t I say you were trouble?”
“You did,” I say and I take a step closer. “But I think you are going to ignore that and take advantage of me.”
Before she can respond, the brunette is beside us and asking, “Claire, who’s your friend?”
Taking a step back, Claire swallows as her cheeks fill with color. “Reese, this is Jude Sinclair. The current trouble in my life.”
Reese smiles as she holds her hand out for me. I take it, flashing the smile my mom says is my moneymaker before I say, “It’s wonderful to meet you.”
“You too,” she says and I know she’s eyeing my arms. Most moms don’t like my tattoos, my mom included, but I love them.
“This is my mo– Holy crap, Reese, I almost called you my mom! My bad!” Claire laughs, but I can see that Reese doesn’t mind at all.
Wrapping her arm around Claire’s shoulders, she says, “It’s fine. I would love nothing more than to be your mom, Claire. You know that.”
“I know, but you’re too young to have a nineteen-year-old hellion.”
“Maybe, but you’re mine nonetheless.”
Claire beams at her before looking over at me. “Reese is my soon-to-be aunt/mom/dance teacher/best friend.”
I smile over at Reese. “That’s some title.”
“It’s one I wear proudly,” she says before placing a kiss to Claire’s head. “Okay, I gotta run before I start crying again.”
Claire laughs. “What is up with all the crying?”
“Leave me be. Jude, nice meeting you. By the way, I love your name, very old-school.”
I grin. “Thank you.”
“Hope to see you again,” she says, her eyes leaving mine to send a direct look to Claire, but all she does is glare before shaking her head.