Move (Club Kitten Dancers 1)

“He said it’s crap. He said I’ll never be a writer. Oh, and he said I have to choose a new topic and start from scratch.”

“That’s not how a rewrite works!” Kasey protests, and I shrug.

“I went to my advisor and he told me to shove it. It’s not like I’m being forced to do the rewrite. I just don’t want to be stuck with a ‘D’ in the class.”

“You won’t be. He’ll grade on a curve. I’ve had him before. He always grades on a curve.” Kasey seems certain. She’s a sophomore, so she knows a little more when it comes to the professors.

“I just don’t want to deal with him.”

“Or your mom.”

“That, too.” I get up from the couch and grab a bag of carrots from the fridge. I pour a little portion of dressing into a bowl and come back over. Kasey reaches for a carrot and dips it in the salad dressing.

“Mmm,” she groans, crunching on it. “I don’t know why people don’t like vegetables.”

I resist the urge to slap her.

“Let’s just be honest. It’s not like they taste like cookies.”

We’re both trying to be healthier, though. Kasey wants to compete in the Darling Dancers competition that Club Kitten is sponsoring at the end of the year. It’s not until November and right now it’s mid-February, so she’s got plenty of time to prepare.

The competition showcases the talents of girls at every level. She thinks I should try out for the level one talent showcase. Try-outs will be intense, though, I don’t know if I’m ready. I don’t know if I have what it takes. I think I’m as good as some of the other girls, but I don’t know if I’d want to dance in front of a group of people.

Dancing in front of my friends is one thing, but a crowd of people?

I’m not so sure about that.

The competition takes place at one of the local dance clubs. They’ll clear the club out, add some removable poles, and let the dancers do their thing. I watched a video online from last year’s performance and it was insanely amazing. I know it’s important to start planning your moves early so you’ll have months upon months to perfect your routine, but still…

I don’t know if I’m cut out for performing.

“I have to go to work,” Kasey says, pushing the carrots away. She hops up, grabs her keys, and wiggles her fingers. “See you later, cutie.”

Once she’s gone, I walk around the house for half an hour doing nothing. I’m stuck. I’m bored. I’m in such a rut that I don’t know how to get out. Dancing makes me happy, but not much else does these days. Maybe I should try out for the Darling Dancers performance.

Maybe that would make me smile.

Finally, it’s time for work, so I take off, ready to make coffee for the thirsty people of Whiskee, Colorado.

Duty calls.

Chapter 3

Cooper

I can’t stop thinking about the coffee shop girl.

It’s so stupid.

She’s the cutest damn thing I’ve ever seen and all I want to do is call her, kiss her, and make her promise to be mine.

But I can’t do that.

It’s not fair to either one of us. I thought I’d be at Forrest AFB for awhile. When I got stationed here, I thought I’d have a few years here, at least. Three years is more than enough time to meet a girl, have some adventures, and maybe settle down. It’s definitely enough time to get to know someone. It’s definitely enough time to date Bailey.

Only, the day after I asked for Bailey’s number, the Air Force threw a huge wrench in my plans.

I’m deploying.