by KB Winters
A long silence stretched, driving my heart rate into full panic mode, wondering what he would say. Would he refuse my resignation? Could he even do that? And, somewhere, in the depth of my mind, Bennett’s face flashed, and I knew that of all the people I’d hurt already, Bennett was going to top the list when he found out what I’d done.
“This is about the girl, isn’t it?” Boss finally said, snapping through my thoughts.
“What? No! This isn’t—” I squeezed my eyes shut. All of my guilt over leaving Bennett melted away, leaving coals of anger behind. “No, sir, it’s not.”
“Knight, I don’t have time for this shit. Find Marshon and Adler. I need your head in the game. Finish up and we’ll talk when you get back.”
The line went dead, and I slammed the phone down to my lap.
A sharp, rapping knock on the door startled me from my angry mutterings and I went to answer it, only to find Bennett—the subject of my irritation—waiting on the other side.
How convenient.
“Come on,” he said, his voice a low, demanding growl.
I grabbed my jacket without question and followed him. Bennett’s own anger was radiating from him, and as we stalked down to the lobby of the hotel, and then out to his waiting truck, I sorted through my oldest memories of us, trying to remember another instance where so much hate had rolled off him.
Once we were safely in the truck, did I dare to speak to him. “I didn’t have a phone.”
Bennett cut a glare at me from the corner of his eye as he ripped the engine to life. “Yeah, you did. Adler couriered one to your hotel.”
“I was out,” I snapped.
“I’m aware, Knight. It doesn’t take a fuckin’ detective to put the pieces together. You know, for a Navy SEAL, you’re pretty fuckin’ shitty at covering your tracks! I know where you were. And what you were doing.” He pulled out into traffic, cutting off a couple in a convertible. They honked and flashed their lights, but Bennett didn’t even flinch.
“Well, then it’s a good thing I’m getting out of the game, isn’t it?” I fired back, my hands digging into my thighs.
He looked over at me, his dark eyes blazing. “What the fuck are you talking about?”
“I just got off the phone with Boss. After this mission, I’m out.”
“I can’t believe you’re serious about all that. This is such bullshit,” Bennett railed, slamming his fist into the steering wheel.
I shrugged. My own blood was boiling, my pulse roaring in my ears, but I refused to let myself lose control. Bennett would understand.
Maybe.
Someday.
Chapter Six
Everlie
My night—and morning—with Ryker was all I could think about. He was in every waking thought, in every night time fantasy, and in every passionate dream. He’d texted a few times, but hadn’t come back to my apartment. I was starting to wonder if maybe he had just wanted one more night in my bed, and the insecurities about why he hadn’t tried to see me again were eating me up inside. I hadn’t told Tori that he’d been at the apartment. She’d made a few barbed comments about him, making it clear that her opinions of him hadn’t changed. And, since I still didn’t know exactly what was going on between Ryker and me, it was best to leave it alone.
By Friday, I was given something else to fill my thoughts, when Mark from the ballet production Fly, called and left a voice mail saying it was urgent that I call him back as soon as possible. In between classes, I sat behind my desk at the ballet studio, and dialed the number he left.
“Mark Laurels,” he answered.
“Hello Mark, this is Everlie Harmon, calling you back about the audition.” My heart ricocheted inside my chest, beating more and more frantically with each silent moment. After my disaster of a second audition, it was already cemented in my mind that I hadn’t received the part. I knew the call was just a formality. I waited for Mark to actually say the inevitable words out loud.
“Everlie!” Mark boomed. “Excellent timing. I just got off the phone with the last apology call and was itching to give some good news.”
My heart skidded to a stop. Was he saying what I thought he was saying?
“You got the part! Formal rehearsals won’t start for a few weeks, so that should give you plenty of time to clear your schedule and get prepared for the training of your life.”
“Wait. What? Are you saying—” My words jumbled together as my thoughts raced in circles inside my head. I got the part? I was going to be the lead ballerina in a major Vegas show! It was the one thing I’d been working my ass off for, day after day, for years—the entire reason I’d came to Vegas. It was actually happening. Right now!
“Yes, ma’am,” Mark said. “We are very much looking forward to working with you. This is only the beginning, Everlie.”
I didn’t know whether to smile, laugh, or burst into tears. It was everything I’d been working for, but it would also mean changing everything I had. “Thank you, Mark! I can’t wait to get started!” I said, forcing as much enthusiasm into my tone as possible. I didn’t want to seem ungrateful in my confusion and overwhelm of emotions. “I guess I need to start rearranging my classes!” I added with a laugh. “My students are going to flip. You should’ve seen them when I got the call about even doing the audition.”
“That’s lovely. However, it’s going to take a lot more than just rearranging, Everlie. This role is going to require rather extreme training given the short amount of time we have until we are set to open.”
“Oh. I guess I assumed I’d still be able to continue teaching, even if it was only on a part-time basis,” I replied.
“I’m afraid not. Rehearsals will be ten to twelve hour days. Once the show begins, you’ll have rehearsals several mornings a week and shows seven days a week, two on Sundays. This is a full scale production, Everlie. I thought you knew that…” his voice trailed off and fingers of fear gripped my stomach. I didn’t want him to take away the opportunity, but what he was asking would require me to completely uproot myself from the life I’d built on the chance that the show would take off and be a launch pad to the rest of my career.
If it went as planned, it would be my golden ticket to the top. If it failed…then I’d be left with nothing.
“Listen, Everlie, we’re delighted to have you on board. You’re perfect for the role, and we know you’ll be a great fit, but it requires a full commitment, and if you can’t give that, it would be best we didn’t waste each other’s time,” Mark said, his voice firm, making it clear there was no wiggle room or space for negotiations.
“I understand.” I nodded my head even though he couldn’t see me. “Is there any way for me to have a day to think about it? I want to be able to fully commit, with a clear head. If it weren’t for my students, it would be an obvious yes, but, knowing I’ll have to give them up, it…I just need a day.”
Mark agreed, but his tone was begrudging—a silent warning that I couldn’t push any further. We said goodbye, and I hung up the phone just as a few students trickled in, ready for their class. I waved to them, my eyes lingering on each face, thinking just how impossible it would be to hand them all over to someone else. Even if I found them the most capable, amazing, talented teacher, I’d still drag my feet walking out of the studio for the final time.
Can I really do this?
As my students began their warm up sequence, I wandered through the studio, dispensing critiques and encouragement as I went. Making sure each student got a word of advice and acknowledgment. As I looped back around to the front, I passed by the glass case where all of the ribbons, trophies, photos, and certificates of excellence my students had earned over the years were displayed. Each piece told a story, and my eyes misted over as I wandered back through the memories, each event cemented in my mind.
I struggled to control myself through the rest of the classes, and by my last class of the day, more than a few students had asked me if I was all right. I’d assured the
m I was, not wanting to spook them unnecessarily. When—or, if—it came time to tell them of my departure, I’d need time to prepare. I wasn’t going to spring it on them out of the blue, especially when it had been just days ago that I’d assured them I’d still be their teacher even if I got the role. A promise I should have never made.
When I locked up, I spotted a car pulling into the parking lot, and without a second glance, I already knew who was inside. My heart flip-flopped, somewhere between excited and sad. Things with Ryker had reached a new level, just in time for me to have to push it all away again. There was no way that I could even entertain the idea of a relationship with Ryker if I took the part in Fly. I’d barely have time to take care of myself, let alone, worry about someone else. Besides all that, I still had no idea how long Ryker was even going to be in Vegas, and once he left, and went back home, there was no way we’d survive.
As I walked out to the parking lot, my mind was made up.
It had to end.
“Hey gorgeous,” Ryker called, hanging his head out the window. “Need a lift?”
I smiled, but it faded before it reached my eyes.
“What’s wrong?” Ryker asked. He opened the door and got out of the car. “You look bummed.”
“We need to talk,” I replied.
Ryker fixed me in his stare for a moment, his face suddenly serious and intense. “About what? Everlie, what’s wrong?”
I took in a deep breath, preparing myself to say what needed to be said. “This wasn’t exactly the venue I had in mind,” I said, looking around the vacant lot. We were alone at least, but it was all wrong. Empty and hollow.
“Where do you wanna go? Hop in. We’ll go wherever you want.”
I almost made a move to get in the car, but then stopped. There wasn’t any benefit to dragging it out. I shook my head. “Never mind, this is fine. Listen, I got some news today, and it…well, it changes things. My whole life, basically.” I paused, the entire situation threatening to overwhelm me again. It was like walking along the tide, and suddenly having a sneaker wave come and drag you out to sea. I’d knowingly been flirting with the ocean, but now that I was being thrown into the middle of it—I realized how unprepared I was for the sheer magnitude of it.
I looked up at Ryker. “I got the role of the lead ballerina in a new production called Fly. If I say yes, and accept the part, I’ll start an intense rehearsal and training program to prepare. Then, when the show starts, it’s seven days a week. A show each night, and two shows on Sundays.”
Ryker’s face shifted from confused to elated. His smile was broad and genuine, and I couldn’t help but smile at his excitement. “That’s amazing, Ev. I mean, that’s the whole reason you came to Vegas, right?”
I nodded, but my smile fell flat again. “Yeah. It is. I just, I don’t know. I’m all mixed up about it right now. I’m still sorting through all my feelings, but one thing I know is that this, whatever you and I are doing, it isn’t going to work.”
The spark in Ryker’s eyes vanished as his own smile was wiped clean off his face. “Why not?”
“I’ll be way too busy, for one thing. Secondly, I’ll be here, in Vegas for the foreseeable future, and if the show takes off, there’s a possibility of a nationwide tour.” I shook my head. “It wouldn’t work. I’m not good at relationships in general, so I’m pretty sure I’d be a total disaster in a long distance one.”
“You don’t know that, Everlie. We could make it work.”
There was a rawness behind his eyes that threatened to break my heart. All of my reasons and logic faded to the background, clinging to my mind like shadows. It was hard to remember why I was fighting against being with him when my heart and my body wanted so badly to fall into his arms and never let go. “Ryker, I…” I paused as he moved closer, my eyes locked on his. He tipped up my chin and pressed his lips to mine, taking me in an all-consuming, legs buckling kiss that stretched on forever, and yet, somehow not long enough. The second his mouth left mine, I reached for him and brought him back down to me.
When I released him, my mind screaming at me to wake up and come back to my senses, his eyes were darker than before, full with lust and hunger. “Everlie, just come with me. I don’t want to be alone tonight.”
I was still catching my breath but nodded. “Just for tonight.”
He didn’t reply as he wrapped an arm around my waist, his hand resting on my hip, as he steered me around the front of his rental and opened the passenger door for me.
I knew it was a dangerous gamble to make, but I couldn’t cash in my chips just yet.
Chapter Seven
Everlie
I smiled sadly when it dawned on me just where Ryker was driving us. He pulled into a metered spot alongside the curb across from my favorite little cafe, the one I’d taken him to the last time we’d been out together. He cut the engine and turned to me in his seat. “I don’t know about you, but I haven’t been able to stop thinking about their chocolate tart for days.”
“I guess I should feel responsible for getting you hooked, huh?” I said, teasingly.
Ryker rolled his head against the headrest and stared at me for a moment, a new layer of meaning to my statement settling between us. “I’d say so,” he finally said.
Flustered, I dropped my eyes to my hands that were balled up in my lap. He reached over and brought my chin up. “Whatever happens next, Everlie, know that I’ll never regret meeting you.”
I nodded, sucking on my bottom lip to keep the tears stinging my eyes from falling. “Okay.”
“Now, come on, let’s get in there before someone steals the last of that tart!” He smiled at me and hopped out of the car, racing around to let me out before I could push open the passenger door.
We went into the small cafe, took a seat and placed our order with the same waitress that had waited on us before. She smiled at us knowingly, and I wondered if it was because she remembered us—the way we’d plowed through the majority of the dessert menu, had been rather impressive—or if she was staring at Ryker. Not that I could blame her. He handled himself with dignity, and never acknowledged the ogling—if he even noticed it.
When the waitress dropped off our coffees and servings of the decadent tart, Ryker unfolded a paper napkin and placed it in his lap. I smiled and he caught me stifling a giggle. “What?” He asked, his eyebrows raised.
“Nothing,” I said, shaking my head, still suppressing a smile. “I just didn’t realize we needed to be all proper.” I mimicked him, taking extra time unfolding my own napkin and laying it across my lap.
Ryker rolled his eyes and smiled at me. “I can’t believe you’re teasing me for having manners. What kind of Southern Belle are you?” He picked up his glass and made a point to stick his pinky out, unable to keep a straight face.
I laughed out loud. “Not a very good one, I guess.”
“Well, my mama raised me right,” he joked, smiling ear to ear. It was the happiest I think I’d ever seen him, loose and playful. It struck me as I watched him, and my smile fell from my face. Ryker noticed and his own expression shifted. “What?”
“You’re just making it really hard to say goodbye,” I answered, my voice quiet.
“Simple solution, Ev. Don’t.”
I sighed. “You’re impossible. You know that, right?”
He shrugged and shoveled another mouthful of chocolate tart into his mouth. I picked at my own tart with my fork, making tracks with the silky chocolate, doodling on the white plate. “Everlie,” Ryker interjected once he swallowed and took another swig of coffee. I looked up at his solemn face. “I’m going back home to Oklahoma.”
“When?” My heart raced, waiting for his answer.
“As soon as the end of the week. Things here,” he hesitated. “They wrapped up sooner than expected.”
“Is everything okay?” I asked, wishing he wasn’t always so cryptic about whatever he was tangled up with.
He nodded and took another drink. The waitr
ess rushed over and refilled his cup as soon as he set it back down again. I wanted to burst out and tell her to back off, but kept it together, my face serene and expressionless, as though I didn’t have a care in the world. When she left, Ryker shifted his gaze back to me. “I want you to come with me.”
My eyes flew open so wide I was almost afraid they were going to bug right out of my head. “You what?”
“I want you to come to Oklahoma with me. I’m going to be moving into the ranch I told you about, the one my grandfather left me.”
I sputtered, searching—and failing— to find the right reply. The idea was insane. I had no idea why he was even bothering to ask. “I can’t…I have my classes, and I have to decide what to do about Fly. I haven’t even given them a yes or no yet. I have no idea what I’m doing.”
“All the more reason to come with me. Get some fresh, country air. Clear your head. Figure out what you want.” The way he was talking, was like I’d be going to summer camp or something. Not going to my…I didn’t even know what to call him. Ryker wasn’t my boyfriend—but he was more than just a friend or acquaintance. My brow furrowed as I tried to sort it out, the ridiculousness of it all churned in my brain. “Everlie, I know your life is here, I get that. I just think a little time out would be good for you. I’m not asking you to move in with me or anything.”
Everything bubbled up inside me and I squeaked out an insane laugh. “You’re out of your mind, Ryker. I’m sorry, but it’s true. What you’re asking…it’s just not possible. Even if it was what I wanted, which—for the record—it’s not.”
He stared at me, unblinking, and my fingers itched to reach across the table and shake him by the shoulders. After a long pause, he nodded, sipped his coffee as though we’d only been discussing the weather and went back to his cake.