Down the Rabbit Hole (Stuck On You)

Chapter 17: If It Kills Me

The next day at practice was much better. I trusted Hayden again, which meant that the lift went up without a hitch. I had been avoiding it for the past week. Our contemporary piece was to Jason Mraz's 'If It Kills Me'. Hayden set me down and put his hand up to mine as we continued the routine. At one point, I noticed that nobody else was dancing anymore, they were just watching us. I spun out before Hayden grabbed my hands. My leg went up in a tilt and Hayden slid his hand down my leg before I bent my knee and snapped it up again. I pivoted to face him and put my hand on his chest. Gently pushing him, I sashayed off into a switch leap then a ring jump. I set before I started the pirouettes. I did two, before I pulled my leg up into a scale as I spun. I knew Hayden would be there when I finished. I landed and leaned back so I was falling. Hayden caught my back and I pushed my feet off of the ground. He caught my upper legs and I arched my back so I was looking at the ground as he spun me. He swung me so I was upright again and pressed against him.

I lowered myself to the ground and rolled on to my back. Hayden spun before he landed so that he was hovering above me. He touched my face gently and I arched my back up until I was sitting up. He turned into my lap so that his shoulder was against my chest. We finished with his face inches from mine and my hand spread over his chest and his stomach. I was breathing heavily and so was he. He pecked my cheek and I smiled lightly. We stood up and froze when we noticed everyone staring at us.

"That was beautiful," Luca breathed. I walked over to get a drink of water. Hayden smiled at me discreetly. We were back on track, and that's all that mattered. He wasn't mine, but at least I knew now that it was a possibility. Everyone started getting ready to leave. Sophia sauntered over to Hayden and started talking to him. I saw her smile seductively and felt my stomach drop. His eyes glanced at me before he shook his head. I didn't know what that meant, but I hoped that it meant that he was turning her down. I couldn't help that I was jealous. No matter what I told him, I was still falling for him. After another moment, he walked over to me.

"I'm not going to upset you again," he said softly. I only shrugged and looked at the floor. He pulled up my chin and kissed my gently. "I mean it. I can't deal with you not talking to me again," he whispered. I nodded once.

"Are you ready to go home?" I asked. He hesitated before he nodded. Back at the apartment, we ate and watched a movie. I was relaxing comfortably against Hayden when my phone rang. I saw the caller ID and stood up. I headed to my room before I answered it. Hayden gave me a confused look.

"What's wrong?" Hayden asked groggily. I pointed at my phone.

"I have to take this," I said before I went to my room and closed my door behind me. I smiled lightly as I answered the phone.

daddy," I

you at a

time for you, daddy," I said. It was his

life treating you, sweetheart?" he asked. I sat on my

Well, Quinn and I just caused for a name change. My roommate introduced us

roommate? He's not trying anything on you, is

about Hayden. He'd checked Hayden out before he let me

to

heard him hesitate. I rolled my eyes and stood up as I started pacing. I knew

you fly down here? Maybe you and Hayden could stay at the beach house. Then I'd be

you can fly to China for a business meeting, but you won't even come up here to see your own daughter? Dad, you could even take the helicopter, you

that

Why don't you bring Hayden with you?" he said. I sighed and stopped pacing. I looked towards

would be such a good idea,"