Love is a Dance Step (Rockstars Anonymous)

by Michelle MacQueen

  Piper jogged across the parking lot and stopped in front of them. She extended two key cards. “You’ll have to do without security tonight, Drew. With the schedule so messed up, the label thought you were arriving tomorrow. They’ll show up in the morning.” She extended a hat toward him. “I bought this in the gift shop. Put it on.”

  He took it from her, examining the wide-rimmed sun hat that looked like it belonged on the retired women of Florida.

  Lola suppressed a laugh when he set it on his head.

  Piper nodded in approval. “We have the entire seventh floor. Lola, you’re sharing a room with Brooke.”

  Drew winced and shot Piper a glare.

  Piper sighed helplessly. “I didn’t do room assignments. That was Brooke.”

  Well, that didn’t bode well.

  Lola looked from Drew to Piper. “Am I missing something?”

  Drew gave her a pained look. “Just… promise you’ll come to me if she treats you poorly.”

  “I’ve been dealing with bullies my entire life, Drew. I can protect myself.” She took the key from Piper. “I’ll see you guys in the morning.”

  Drew pushed a hand through his hair as he watched her go.

  Piper chuckled. “I think I might like this girl after all.”

  “What’s on tomorrow’s schedule?” Drew started toward the hotel, needing to push Lola from his mind and get refocused on the tour.

  Piper pulled up the schedule on her phone. “You’re practicing with the dancers at ten to get everyone back on the same page after a week off. At one, there’s an interview with a local paper. You have a meeting at three with that songwriter you wanted to see when we were in Miami. I’ve scheduled you for a nap at five.” Yes, she scheduled his naps. “Then, at seven, you, Noah, and Jo are having dinner with one of the label execs who lives here in town.”

  “What about Lola? We need to start getting her up to speed. I’d like to get her on stage as quickly as possible.”

  They entered the lobby, and Drew tilted the hat to cover more of his face.

  Piper typed out something on her phone. “I’ll have Brooke work with her.”

  “No.” He said the word louder than he’d meant to.

  They stopped in front of the elevators, and Piper turned to Drew. “Give me another choice. It can’t be you. You’re too busy, and it would look—”

  “I know.” He couldn’t show Lola any more favor than the rest, not if he wanted them to take her seriously. “I wish Leah was here.”

  “Me too.” The elevator door opened, and they stepped in. Piper hit the button for their floor. “But she isn’t. If not Brooke… how about Nolan?”

  He thought of Lola dancing with Nolan in auditions, how out of sync they looked. But he didn’t have a better option. Brooke and Nolan were the best dancers he had. “Sure. Have her work with Nolan, but I want him to report to me on her progress. And have Brooke prepare to dance lead in two days. I’m sure that’ll make her happy.” There was no world in which he wanted Brooke at his side, but she was the only one who knew Leah’s choreography.

  He unlocked his room, said goodnight to Piper, and slipped inside before leaning back against the door.

  After a week in Gulf City, tomorrow, he’d officially be back at the office.

  At least he had a scheduled nap.

  16

  Lola

  Is it everything you’d dreamed?

  That was the text Lola woke up to from Asher. She stared at her phone as she lay burrowed under the stark white covers in the double queen Miami hotel room, remembering the look on his face when he’d told her he loved her.

  Was it everything she’d dreamed? Riding on the tour bus of a man she’d obsessed over for years. Well—she’d obsessed over his dance moves.

  She had yet to experience any other part of the tour, so she texted Asher back.

  Lola: Oh yes. We got to Miami, and a crowd was already chanting my name. I’m a very important person now.

  Asher: I’m sure. LOL.

  She set her phone back on the table between the beds, trying not to wake the roommate she hadn’t gotten to speak to the night before. Brooke Tanner had already been fast asleep when Lola slipped in.

  “I can hear you breathing.” Brooke groaned as she rolled over. “What time is it?”

  “Nine thirty.” Lola wasn’t a late sleeper, but the past few days had been exhausting, mentally and physically.

  Brooke shot up in bed with a string of curses. “We’re going to be late.” She turned a glare on Lola. “And it’s all your fault.”

  Lola sat up, letting the covers bunch at her waist. “Mine?” She’d been the one still asleep.

  Brooke scrambled from the bed. “We need to be at practice in half an hour. Ugh, I knew you’d be a pain.” She ran a hand through her blonde hair and pushed out a breath before cutting Lola with one more look and storming into the bathroom, slamming the door behind her.

  Lola stared after her. “I’m Lola Ramirez. Nice to officially meet you.” She shook her head and crawled to the end of the bed to lean over and dig through one of the bags Erikson had brought up. Pulling free a change of clothes, she stripped and swapped her pajamas for a pair of black leggings and a long t-shirt that read the name of her dance studio.

  Yanking on her shoes, she tied them. As she walked toward the door, she combed her fingers through her hair. The shower was running as she left. Out in the hall, she nearly ran in to Piper.

  Lola cursed in Spanish as she gripped Piper’s arms to keep her from falling. “I’m so sorry.”

  Piper stepped away. “It’s okay, but shouldn’t you be down at breakfast before the meeting?”

  Lola’s face heated. She hadn’t known there was a meeting or where it was.

  Piper seemed to catch on. She smacked herself in the forehead. “I forgot to send you the schedule. I need to get your email on my group list. Brooke should have told you though.”

  Lola only shrugged.

  “Come with me.” Piper led her to the elevators and down to the lobby.

  Through the glass double doors, Lola caught sight of a gathering crowd. “What’s going on?”

  Piper followed her gaze. “Last night, someone in the hotel saw Drew’s bus and posted about it on social media. Now, it’s everywhere. We’ve changed his entire schedule so he doesn’t have to leave the hotel. Everyone will come to him.”

  “Is it always this nuts?” Every time the door opened, screaming filtered into the lobby.

  “Every time. Come on. You can grab a coffee before the meeting.” She led her to a small breakfast area outside the much larger main dining room. A coffee cart sat next to a table laden with bagels, yogurt, and fruit.

  Lola made herself a coffee and reached for a bagel, almost moaning when she bit into it. She hadn’t realized how hungry she’d been.

  She barely had time to finish the bagel by the time they reached the large room that had been stripped of all furniture. Dancers milled around, and Lola’s eyes immediately went to Drew across the room. As if sensing her presence, he turned, a smile curving his lips just the slightest bit.

  Piper slipped out without a word, leaving Lola in a sea of dancers she didn’t know. Brooke had yet to arrive, and the others watched her suspiciously.

  A chill raced along Lola’s spine. Was this what the entire tour would be like? Small smiles from Drew but ice from everyone else?

  Trying to ignore their stares, she lowered herself to the ground to stretch as others were doing.

  “You have to prove yourself.”

  Lola looked sideways to find Nolan, the man she’d danced with in auditions. His chestnut hair curled around a porcelain face. There was a beauty to him but a fragile beauty. Amber eyes found hers.

  “What do you mean?” She bent forward into a stretch.

  He shifted his eyes away and mirrored her stretch. “They all saw your audition. You weren’t good.”

  “Well… thanks?”

  He shook his head an
d jumped to loosen his muscles. “This job relies on being able to stay consistently better than the dancers around you. Right now, no one in this room has faith you can do this. Prove to them you can, that you weren’t given this job because Drew took a liking to you. Then, you will have their respect.”

  She crossed one arm over her chest, feeling the deep stretch as his words rang in her mind. Her eyes scanned the room once more, noting how everyone looked at her but refused to meet her eyes. Prove yourself.

  How was she supposed to do that when a part of her still wondered why Drew chose her?

  Drew stepped up to the front of the room and clapped his hands. “I know Leah usually runs our practices, but today, you just have me.”

  The door banged open, and Brooke rushed in. When Lola left her, she’d just gotten in the shower. Now, she had perfectly done makeup, straightened hair, and a dance outfit that showed off every one of her assets. “Sorry I’m late. Blame Lola for it, but go easy on her. She’s new.”

  Blame her? Lola’s jaw clenched, but she didn’t let the irritation show on her face.

  Drew crossed his arms. “Lola is already here. She wasn’t late. You’re in the back today, Brooke.” He turned back to the others. “Now, where was I? Oh, right. You all know the drill. We’re going to run through the dance numbers. Lola, if you get lost, feel free to just watch. We’ll get you up to speed soon.”

  Challenge accepted. Lola narrowed her eyes. Drew didn’t know she’d been watching and imitating his dances for years. She might not be good at most things, but this, she could do.

  The dancers spread throughout the room as Drew turned the music on.

  As soon as she took the first steps, all her second guessing flew from her mind.

  Because Lola knew.

  Dancing was what she was meant for.

  Lola entered the restaurant for a late lunch. Dancers crowded around tables with white tablecloths, but no one looked at her or waved her over.

  No matter how quickly she picked up their dances or how easily she’d matched them step for step, she was still an outsider.

  With a sigh, she found an empty table and scanned the menu. When the waiter came around, she asked for a chicken club with fries. He gave her a strange look before nodding and walking away.

  Lola’s phone buzzed, and she pulled it free, smiling when she saw who it was. Bringing it to her ear, she answered, “Mama.”

  Her mom started off with her rapid Spanish, talking about everything that had happened in the single day Lola had been gone—which was nothing.

  “Mama.” Lola laughed as she cut her off. “I miss you too.”

  Her mom sighed. “Mija, this house is so empty.”

  “It’s only been a day. You told me you were okay with this.”

  “I am. Tell me, how is the rock thing?”

  “You mean the tour?” She laughed. “It’s…” Frustrating. Confusing. Lonely. And that was only day one. “Great, Mama. Really great.”

  “I’m so glad. You will send me a video of your first concert, yes?”

  “Mama… I’m not going on stage tomorrow.”

  “And why not?” Her mom’s indignation made her smile. “You deserve to be up there, Mija. Do not let this rock boy tell you otherwise.”

  “It’s okay, Mama. I’m not ready.”

  “You were born ready for this. You know every one of their dances.”

  “They don’t know that.” Someone slid into the chair across from her. “Mama, I need to go. I’ll call you later.”

  “Okay. Te amo.”

  “Te amo, Mama.”

  She hung up and looked to find Nolan watching her in fascination. “Can I help you?”

  “I have been assigned as your wizard guide, your Gandalf, if you will.”

  One brow arched. “What does that even mean?”

  “Dancing, darling. What else? Piper wants me to work with you.”

  The waiter arrived and set a plate down in front of Lola. She thanked him and returned her attention to a gaping Nolan.

  “Are those fries?”

  She nodded, popping one in her mouth. “And they’re good too.”

  “You can’t eat fries.”

  “Why not?” She reached for another one, but Nolan slid her plate away.

  “Do you realize how many calories you’re about to consume?”

  Lola had never in her life worried about calories. “No.” She reached for the plate and tugged it back. “And I don’t want to know.”

  Disgust flashed across Nolan’s face but also something else. Longing? She took a bite of her sandwich to prevent herself from laughing. She’d met a lot of finicky dancers over the years but never took much stock in extreme diets herself. In part because she’d never expected the dancing to take her anywhere.

  Nolan ran a hand through his messy hair, tugging on the ends. “Okay, fine. I’ll let you eat the fries if you do one thing for me.”

  “Let me?” she choked. “What makes you think you could stop me?” She took another bite, chewed, and swallowed. “Fine, what do I have to do?”

  He hesitated for a long moment, flicking his eyes from the plate to her and back again. “Just one. Please.”

  A laugh burst out of her. “Have at it.”

  He reached his hand out slowly, reluctantly, and took a single fry from the plate. When he put it in his mouth, he sighed.

  Lola shook her head with a grin. “So, you’re my sensei?”

  “Gandalf.” He stared longingly at the plate. “I said Gandalf.”

  “That would make sense if I knew who that was.”

  His jaw dropped open, and he narrowed his eyes. “You… what?”

  A smile curved Lola’s lips. “Kidding. Mostly. You can stop looking at me like you want to murder me now.” Distracting him was a good way to be able to shovel food into her mouth without his longing looks.

  A cough interrupted their conversation, and Lola looked up to find Brooke hovering next to their table. Nolan grinned. “Oh, hey, Brookie-cookie.”

  Brooke’s scowl deepened. “We’re sitting over there, Nolan.” She jabbed a thumb over her shoulder to where a gaggle of other dancers watched them.

  Nolan flashed her a grin. “Sorry, babe. Lola and I have other plans.”

  “We do?” Lola coughed. “I mean, we do.” She pushed back her chair and stood, stuffing one last handful of fries in her mouth. “Sorry, roomie, we’ll have to hang out with you later.”

  Nolan stole one more fry before standing and giving the gaping Brooke a wave before grabbing Lola’s arm and dragging her from the table.

  Lola’s stomach grumbled as she walked back out into the hotel lobby. The sandwich she’d left behind called to her. “Wait, I didn’t pay.”

  Nolan didn’t stop walking. “They’ll charge it to your room and take it out of your per diem. Come on. We need to get to work if I’m going to get you ready for the concert in Jacksonville.”

  “Jacksonville, that’s right after Miami?”

  He nodded. “Our last stop in Florida.” He bumped her shoulder. “Don’t let Brooke get to you. Like I said before, prove yourself, and the others will come around. But Brooke… when Leah went down, we all expected her to become the lead dancer. When Drew announced there’d be auditions and that he wouldn’t consider one of his current dancers, it was a bit of a shock. Especially to her.”

  She started to catch on. “Then, he had all of you work with us at auditions.”

  “Yep. And don’t take this the wrong way, but he didn’t even choose the best dancer there.”

  “I know.” She’d screwed up her audition and ended up here anyway. Glancing back over her shoulder at the restaurant where the other dancers ate, she wondered what they saw when they looked at her. Did they ask the same questions she’d wondered a million times?

  Why was she here?

  What had Drew seen in her?

  And how long would it be until he realized he’d made the wrong choice?

  She follow
ed Nolan back to the practice room they’d used that morning. “Drew has this room rented today and tomorrow, so we should be good.” He toed off his shoes, and she followed suit. “We don’t have long, and… can I be completely honest with you?”

  “Yes.” She stopped in the center of the room and turned to face him.

  “You’re too stiff.”

  “What?” She shook out her arms. “I’m not stiff.”

  “When I danced with you in auditions, that was your problem. You weren’t comfortable with me. I’m guessing you hadn’t ever danced with anyone else before.”

  She hugged her arms across her body. “I—”

  “We’re going to work on that.” He offered her a reassuring smile.

  It was true. In that audition, she’d been uncomfortable, not knowing how to handle dancing so close to a stranger. But in the studio with Drew… how was that different? Why was she more comfortable with him?

  Nolan stepped in front of Lola and put a hand on each of her shoulders. She flinched away from him. “We’re going to do an exercise, okay? You don’t like to be touched, but you’ll need to push that fear away if you want to make this work.”

  She nodded, willing to do whatever it took.

  “Close your eyes.”

  Her eyes fluttered closed.

  “Okay, now focus on my touch. Trust that I won’t take it too far. Get used to the idea of being close to me.” One of his hands traveled over her shoulder, trailing down her right arm as she remained impossibly still. His fingers intertwined with hers for just a moment, and it took everything in her to remain in place and not shy away.

  His other hand slid over the curve of her neck and cupped her cheek.

  When his touch flitted over her hip and down her thigh, she couldn’t handle it anymore. Her eyes sprang open, and she jumped back.

  “That’s a start.” Nolan’s face flushed. “Let’s, uh, dance now.” He played a song on his phone and set it aside before reaching for her hand. “How well do you know the dances we do?”

  “Pretty well.” Her cheeks heated at the admission. “I’ve been studying Drew’s dances for years.”