by Lynn, Brandy
“Right, Chance. Sure, it’s not what it seems Then just what was that? She was practically humping you on the floor there,” she says as more tears brim in her eyes, threatening to spill over.
“I know what it looks like, but it’s all an act. That’s how dancing works. It’s very much like acting. We have to have good chemistry. We need to make the audience and the judges fall in love with us. And the routine. They need to be entranced. Think of us as a package deal. That’s how we’ll win,” I explain. “Would it help to know that Jenna is one hundred percent a lesbian. I’m a bit scared of her girlfriend, Shay. She would kick my ass if she thought I was even the tiniest bit interested in Jenna. Which I’m not. The only girl I’m interested in is standing in front of me right now,” I tell her. I see her wall crumbling. The look of relief evident on her face. She believes me. Thank God. I don’t think I could handle losing Callie when I’ve just found her.
“Look, Callie, I know we just met recently. And last night was ...” I pause to gather my thoughts because I need to convey to her exactly what I thought last night was. I don’t want her to think it was just sex for me because it wasn’t. It was so much more. And I sound like a fucking chick. But being with Callie last night, feeling her body wrapped around mine and hearing her soft snores this morning—I want more of that. And I don’t give a fuck what people think of that. If that makes me a pussy in someone’s eyes, well then, so be it. “Something I’ve never experienced with anyone. There’s something about you. And I want you. All of you. If you’ll have me, of course,” I say with conviction.
Chapter 12
Callie
Thank God. After Chance had explained how this all works with Jenna, I left feeling so much better than I did when I first walked in that door and saw them together on the floor. It almost broke me, which is crazy since we just met, but I thought we had something special. Something worth fighting for. Which is why I heard him out. Sometimes, we’re blinded and can’t clearly see past other factors. I wanted to be sure I at least gave him a chance to explain himself and the predicament I found them in. I was so relieved when he told me Jenna was a lesbian. I’ve never been so happy in all my life. I’m not normally a jealous person, but when someone is straddling and practically humping—okay, well, they weren’t humping, but I mean they looked really intimate with one another—the person you just slept with several times not even twelve hours before, it can be hurtful. Turns out, Jenna is awesome. Chance introduced us after I got my shit together, and I think we could be great friends. She’s really sweet. And she gave me a hard time for keeping Chance up half the night. I can’t believe it’s already been a week since I found them together in the studio embraced in what I thought was way more than it was.
So today's the big day. The competition. I can’t believe it. This is what he’s been working so hard for. I took the day off work since I want to be there and show my support for him. They’ve excelled through two of the first three rounds already. Chance was right. The judges are eating them up. But they’ve also been very interested in this other couple, Alyssa and Harvey.
I didn’t realize it at first. Or put two and two together until after the first dance when Chance was showing signs of aggravation. I walk up to him, asking what’s wrong when he explains that this Alyssa is the same Alyssa he used to love, who ruined his life, who screwed his father. What really topped off the morning was when he saw his father holding a small little boy who looks to be about three. He never thought he would see her again yet here she is. And his no-good, sorry excuse of a father.
I can see the questions brewing in Chance’s eyes. I mean the boy looks like a little Chance. But it couldn’t be, right? I suppose there’s a possibility. Anger simmers from Chance. And I can tell Jenna senses it too. They’re partners; she’s trained with him to gauge his emotions and reactions. They use that anger to push through the first two rounds, but round three would be the final test.
Chapter 13
Chance
Jenna and I round out the last move and hear the crowd erupt with screams and applause. The judges are giving us a standing ovation. A clear victory in my eyes. We made it through. If nothing else, we made it to the last round. Even if we don’t win, we made it this far. Out of over one hundred couples, only two are standing at the end. And it’s only fitting it would be us with Alyssa and Harvey. Fucking twatwaffle. I almost lost my shit when I saw them. But seeing my piece of shit father holding a tiny-sized human who looks just like me threatens to send everything I’ve worked my ass off for spiraling out of control. I almost throw in the towel in and march over there. Almost. But then I remember what I’m working for.
This must have been what Zeke was trying to tell me when he picked me up. That I refused to hear. Hell, I’m not sure whose kid that is, mine or my dad’s, but I sure as shit plan to find out. Until then, I plan to decimate Alyssa and Harvey on the dance floor. I know Jenna and I have it in us. I may not be able to get revenge in the ways I had hoped, but I can certainly pummel them on the dance floor. Stealing this title, the respect, and the money will be far more painful to Alyssa than anything else. I just have to stay focused. I will not allow Alyssa and my father to fuck up my life again. Not this time. This time, it’s my turn to take what’s mine. All of it.
As we wait on the sidelines for the judges to announce the winner, I’m itching with anticipation. We have to win this. I see the judges stand and make their way to the podium. The older woman with graying hair grabs the microphone and begins to speak, “Ladies and gentlemen, we want to thank you all for attending the fifth annual National Resort Travel Channel Dance-off!” The crowd goes wild with excitement. “We want to thank all of our sponsors, donors, as well as our dancers. We couldn’t do this without you all. So without further ado, we’ll announce this year’s winners who will not only receive a sizeable check for themselves but also a nice chunk of change for the resort who sponsored them.”
I grab Jenna’s hand, squeezing it tight and praying to God we have this. That we win this. Seconds tick by and I am starting to worry when she finally makes the winning announcement, “Congratulations, Chance Walker and Jenna Malik are our official winners of this year’s fifth annual dance-off.” We both jump up and down, hugging each other excitedly. We did it. We really fucking did it. Not only did we win a nice amount of money for ourselves, but the resort will be set. And as an added bonus, we knocked Alyssa down a notch or two. I turn toward Callie, pulling her close.
The judge continues, “Runners up, Alyssa Horton and Harvey Daniels will receive participation trophies for their efforts in this year’s festivities. Thank you all for coming. We hope to see you next year!” And with that, she exists the makeshift stage. Looking to my left, I see Alyssa, sporting a sour expression, storm off in the direction of my father. Turning toward Callie, I bring her body flush with mine before kissing her softly on her lips.
“Hey. Do you mind walking with me over here?” I motion to where Alyssa and my dad are. She’s packing shit and trying to get out of there as fast as possible. She’s doing what she does best, running. Nope, not this time, she’s not. I need to make sure that doesn’t happen. She can’t leave before I see him. Before I find out if he’s mine. I have to know.
“No. Not at all. Whatever you need to do. I’ll support you.” This girl. I swear I’m falling hard for her. She’s fucking perfect.
“Thank you, babe. For being you.” I kiss her one last time before heading over in the direction of Alyssa never once releasing Callie’s hand.
“Alyssa. Dad,” I greet with a sneer. Because he’s no fucking father to me. He’s a low-life. A bastard who abandoned his kid. They look nervous. Good. They should be. Especially after what they did to me. They ruined my goddamn life.
Alyssa speaks first. “Look, Chance, I’m sorry about what happened. It was years ago. We don’t want any trouble. Your dad ...” She trails off, looking sad in my dad’s direction. And like the pussy he is, he doesn’t say a fucking peep.
He can barely look at me. All these years he’s blamed me for my mom’s death. And all because she went out to buy me a birthday cake. I wasn’t even in the car when she ran off the road and swerved to avoid hitting the dog. She loved animals. Unfortunately, it took her life. If she wouldn’t have swerved. If she would have baked me a cake. If she wouldn’t have gone out that day. I’ll always feel an immense amount of guilt for that. And that motherfucker has made sure I pay for it tenfold.
“I don’t want any trouble with either of you,” I tell her with a serious expression. Because I don’t. Not anymore. I still can’t stand either of them, but I also don’t want to live my life with this vindictiveness I’ve carried around. “Personally, I’d be happy to never see either of your faces again.” I feel a small pull on my pants leg and look down into bright green eyes that match my own. I bend down before Alyssa can, picking the little boy up. “Hey there, buddy. What’s your name?”
The little boy smiles up at me with bewilderment before he says, “Samuel.” Then he asks, “What’s your name?”
I answer him softly. “My name is Chance.”
“I have a broder name Chance,” he says. “Mommy tells me about him sometimes.” I see Alyssa’s eyes fill with tears. My dad is looking like he wants to murder her right now at Samuel’s admission, but I couldn’t care less. She doesn’t belong to me. Not anymore. She made her bed, and now, she has to lie in it. I needed to know if he was mine. And it seems he’s not. I’m relieved but not in the way you may think. It’s sad. Sad because this kid is my brother, and I didn’t know it. Sad because his parents are assholes. And most of all, sad because I won’t have a close relationship with him, even though I wish I could. However, circumstances outside of my control prevent that from happening.
I kiss him lightly on the forehead, letting the anger of the past few years go. None of that anger is directed at him. He can’t help who his parents are. “You be good for your Mommy and Daddy, okay, buddy?” I tell him genuinely.
He looks up at me with bright eyes, smiling a toothy smile, before he replies, “I’m always a good boy.” Smiling down at him, I ruffle his hair as I hand him over to Alyssa.
I can’t keep holding onto this anger at what they did. I decide then and there to let it go. I nod to them both before grabbing Callie’s hand and walking away from my past with my future.
Epilogue
Callie
One Year Later
Today is the big day. My dad is finally tying the knot. Can you believe it? Yeah, me neither. I’m so crazy excited for him and Patty. They deserve all the joy in the world. Life really dealt my dad a shitty hand, and he deserves nothing but the best. I’ll forever be grateful to Patty for loving him and believing in him.
T-minus four hours until go-time. I should be at the church getting ready soon. I start to gather all my belongings, making sure I have everything I need. Chance comes up behind me, wrapping me in his arms and nibbling on my earlobe. I can feel his hard length pressing into my ass.
“Oh, my God, Chance. Put that thing away.” I laugh. “We can’t right now. You know I need to go,” I say exasperated.
“I need you, baby,” he says in that deep, sinful bedroom voice. I swear he can make me come from that voice of his and those magical lips. And his magic stick, as he calls it—don’t even get me started.
Hearing him say it with such need as he rubs his length up against me has me second-guessing myself. I mean we have time, right? I don’t technically have to be at the venue for at least another hour for hair and makeup. Oh, fuck me. I want this man. Right now.
I swear Chance’s eyes light up every time I undress. It’s a heady feeling knowing this man is mine. And he wants me. All of me.
Looking over toward Chance, I feel my mouth water at the thought of him inside me. Chance is what I would consider a walking orgasm. Sex on two legs. Pulling down his slacks, I watch as his dick springs free, begging for my attention. Dear God. Years of dance has done his body good. “Callie, baby, come here,” Chance calls. I walk toward him, swaying my hips with each step, as he watches me with hungry eyes. He grips his rigid length with one hand stroking himself. My sex contracts, watching him stroke himself in anticipation of what’s to come. Chance is a fucking beast in the bedroom. He fucks like a man on a mission. And I feel it for days afterward.
Chance takes my face in his hands and kisses me hard. He knows what I like. His tongue fucks my mouth exactly like he does my sex. Hard. Demanding. Without reservation. He has me panting like a fucking dog in heat. I’m two seconds away from humping his leg to relieve the tension growing low in my belly. “Please,” I beg. I’m not even sure what I’m begging for right now. Relief? His dick? His tongue on my sex? I’m not sure, but I know I need something. He’s toying with me. I’m dripping wet from his constant punishment on my mouth. And I need him now.
Chance starts to rub my clit vigorously, anticipating what I need. To come. I start rocking my hips, chasing the release I so desperately want. “Oooooooohhhhhhhhh God.” I hear myself moan.
“Fuck, baby. That’s it. Let it go,” Chance demands. Chance is panting hard in my ear as I thrust my ass back and forth toward him, letting him know I want his dick in me. He doesn’t waste any time. I hear the foil packet crinkle, and in two seconds, he sheaths himself. I am dripping with desire. I cannot wait to feel him inside me. He pushes on my back, prompting me to bend over. I’m eye level with the mirror on my dresser, and I moan at the sight of us. My face flushes with desire and a need evident on Chance’s face. Chance has me on edge. Almost at the top but not quite letting me fall. Finally, he plunges two fingers in, and my body starts to convulse around him. It’s not enough, though, I want more.
“You ready, Callie? Tell me you want my dick.” Chance growls.
“Yes, yes, yes. I want it. Please don’t make me wait any longer,” I beg, dripping with desire. Chance pulls me over to our large white plush king-size bed, completely sheathed and ready, as he positions my body over him in a backward cowgirl position.
“Oh. My. God. Chance … fuck, baby, this feels so good,” I scream out as soon as he spreads my ass cheeks and slams me down on his dick. My eyes start to roll back from the buildup of tension in my spine and belly. I hear Chance when he says, “Eyes on me, Callie.” I slowly bring my eyes up to his, watching with fascination as he starts thrusting deep into my sex with reckless abandon. He grabs my hips and buries himself balls deep. “Goddammit, you’re so fucking tight, Callie. Always so tight. So fucking good. The best, baby,” I hear him say. He slowly withdraws, going back in with long, angled thrusts. Each one a little harder than the last.
“Callie, baby, are you close?” Chance grunts out.
“Mmmhmm.” I pant, letting him know exactly how close I am.
Chance starts to pick up speed with each thrust. The room fills with moans in all directions, bodies slapping, and the sweet scent of sex. It’s pure fucking intoxication. I hear Chance let out a low deep moan as he finishes, and I quickly follow him, riding out the high. My sex clenches hard, pulling Chance in deeper as I feel him shudder his release. He pulls me up, and turning my head, he places a small kiss on the corner of my mouth before pulling out of me.
“I love you,” Chance whispers, pulling me in close and wrapping me in his strong arms.
I sigh against his embrace, loving the way I mold into his arms. “I love you too,” I say, before pulling him in for a long, deep kiss.
Acknowledgments
It truly takes a village of people to publish a book. Without them, without you, this book wouldn’t exist. So, thank you. All of you. For everything. All my love.
First and foremost, I need to thank my amazing husband for his continued support. For loving me. And, being my number one fan. You’re an incredible man. Thank you for encouraging me to pursue my dreams and working so hard to allow me to do that. You’re the best assistant a girl could ask for. Thank you for toting my bags to signings, engaging readers, being my rock, and listening t
o me ramble about fictional characters. I’m not sure how I got so lucky but I’m keeping you. Forever. I love you, babe. Always.
To Joshua, for being such an incredible kid. I’m so proud of the young man you’ve grown into. Never let anyone tell you that can’t accomplish something in life. Dream big. Make it happen. I believe in you. Always. I love you with all my heart son.
To my mom, for always being there. For giving me life. And, for being my number one cheerleader. I love you bunches!
To Kari March, with Kari March Designs, you have mad cover skills girl. Thank you for bringing my vision to life. The cover for Dirty Dancing is stunning. Drop dead gorgeous. I could stare at it for days! I’m so happy to have found you through this series. Thank you for working with me on this project. You’re a godsend.
To Alyssa Garcia, with Uplifting Designs, for taking me on with such short notice. I’m keeping you. Forever. Your teasers, scenes, and branding skills are top-notch. Seriously, you’re so talented. I feel so blessed to have colleagues like you.
To The Manuscript Minxes, For your daily laughs. Support. Acceptance. Guidance. And, love. I’m forever grateful.
To Jenny Sims, with Editing4Indies, you’re a word ninja. You’re editing skills are always on point. Did I mention how wonderful you are? Yes, you! Thank you for fitting me in. For always making my manuscript shine. But most of all, thank you for being a dear friend. I feel so lucky to have you on my team! You’re stuck with me. Love you girl.