studios have to offer, but they can't hack Marta's six month training.”
“So she still can't find good dancers?”
“She's found a couple guys who're workin' out well,” Esther shrugs, “A few girls from areas like this one. It's the city girls... Soon as they're asked to really work, they crumble. It's almost enough to make me appreciate Marise.”
Cade laughs, “Mind comin' with me?”
Esther accompanies him to what had been his crew's primary rehearsal space, which now looks all but completely abandoned.
“You get cleaned out?” Esther glances around with a frown, noting many missing items.
He shakes his head, “As of tomorrow, ain't mine anymore. The last of the crew's gone an' I can't afford the rent.”
She frowns, “I'm guessin' this latest job didn't work out either.”
He sighs, “Think we could just hang out for a while?”
“Sure. Music?”
He chuckles, “Yeah, we still have that.”
Lifting her head enough to see his face, Esther studies Cade silently until he shoots her a slightly irritated look.
“What's on your mind?”
She shrugs lightly, rolling off him so she can prop herself up on one elbow to see him better.
He frowns, “Seriously, what's on your mind?”
“Just seems like life's been handin' you a lotta crap since we met.”
His head drops back onto the blankets, “Feels like it anyway.” He takes a deep breath before rolling onto his side to face her, “'Specially since as of tomorrow I'm homeless as well as jobless. My parents want the room for my older sister an' her baby... since she can afford rent an' I can't.”
“Ouch.”
After another deep breath, he reaches out to brush purple tipped black hair from her face, “Need another dancer for your crew?”
Esther's expression turns wry, “As of tomorrow, ain't my crew,” Before he can speak, she explains, “I'm not quittin', just steppin' back for a bit. 'Tween my roommates an' this wedding an' everythin' else, I need a bit of a break. I suggested Lauren lead for a while an' Marta's decided to cycle crew leaders every six months or so. Another way to keep things from gettin' stale.”
He nods to himself.
“Plus Marise wants to go to teachin' full time at the new studio so Marta's short a headliner. Even moreso 'til the newlyweds get back.”
“Still...”
Esther studies Cade critically for a moment, “Marta has final say on who gets hired. Talk to her.”
“Not sure I have much choice.”
“Then come with me,” Esther's eyes meet his, “All goes well an' you could have a job an' place by bedtime tonight.”
“Sounds good.”
Reluctantly, both get up and gather their scattered clothing. Once they're dressed, he piles a few last things into a box and takes it with them.
“All your stuff's out now?” Esther eyes the box.
He nods, “I just want to drop this off at my parents'. Let them know I should be back for my stuff tomorrow.”
Esther accompanies him, although waiting outside the apartment building while he goes in. When he rejoins her, he has a small bag slung over one shoulder. He reaches for her hand, lacing his fingers through hers, as they walk over to the small side door of the nightclub.
Just inside, they find a very tall, very black man who eyes Esther's companion disapprovingly.
“He's here to talk to Marta,” Esther quickly explains, “Is she in her office?”
“Should be.”
Esther leads Cade through the inside halls.
As they walk, he queries, “Security staff?”
Esther just nods.
The door to Marta's office is closed, so Esther knocks. On hearing a faint “Come in!”, she opens the door, but turns to Cade.
“Wait here for just a moment.”
When he nods, she goes inside, closing the door before moving to stand in front of the desk. Marta looks up from the papers strewn across the surface.
“Yes, Esther?”
Esther takes a deep breath, releasing it slowly, “Remember the guy who was leader of the local dance crew?”
Marta nods, clearly waiting for the rest of the story.
“He wants to talk to you about dancing here. Thing is, Lauren won't want to work with him under her.”
“So...?”
“He has more training than I did when you took me on... mostly ballroom, but still...” Esther takes another deep breath, “The usual six month training an' he could be as good as any of the guys here.”
Marta nods to herself, “And you would like a break from the city girls as roommates?”
Esther can't stop her cheeks from reddening, “That too.”
“He's here?”
Esther nods, “Just in the hall.”
“Send him in here,” Marta frowns for a second, “Meanwhile, go move your things to the room Kedri and Rorie just vacated. It should be clean.”
“Thank you.” Esther returns to where Cade is standing in the hall, “She's waiting.”
He heads inside the office while Esther goes up to begin moving her belongings to her new room.
Esther is hanging dresses in the closet when there is a soft tap on the open door. Glancing over, she smiles on seeing Cade.
“What'd she say?”
He makes a face, “What'd you tell her? I get to start six months training tomorrow.”
Esther chuckles, “You'll survive. You gonna have time to get your things from your parents'?”
“In the morning... while I'm out shopping for whatever else Marta thinks I need.”
“It's a place an' a job,” Esther watches him enter and close the door, “Which's better than you had an hour ago.”
He moves close enough to pull her into his arms and their lips meet. After a moment, his lips move to her ear.
“How long 'til you're ready to call it a night?”
“Long as it takes to move the rest of my crap from my old room,” Esther sighs, “Might go faster if you're willing to help.”
“I think I can do that.” He glances over what is already in the room, “This's gonna take some gettin' used to.”
Esther's expression is wry, “Kedri keeps suggestin' I dejunk. This's probably a good time.”
He just nods and follows her from the room.
About the Author
Alexandra. A. 'Lexa' Cheshire lives in northern British Columbia, Canada. She is a wife and mother who enjoys to read and write fantasy and science fiction. Her blog is at aacheshire.wordpress.com
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