“All right, then.” I put my guitar on the ground.

Fucking head-trip. A motherfucking head-trip. I need an answer or duct tape and cuffs.  Either one would work right about now, so I’m gonna step away to figure out what defensive move I’m gonna need to take.

“Look, I need to get some sleep—”

“Memphis?” She stands up slowly. “I love you.”

“I love you.”

She giggles as she turns to walk away.

“Tales, don’t go.”

She looks back.

“Go with me.”

“Where?”

“Doesn’t matter; just come with me.”

And here we go again. Fuck!

I walk up to his vehicle and smile. “Want me to drive?”

He opens the passenger door. “No.” I turn and wrap my arms around his trim waist and hug him tightly. “You’re a pain in the ass,” he tells me.

“We’re both young,” I respond.

“And talented. I get it; we both have a dream, so why don’t you go back to school? I can—”

“I like teaching dance much more than I like dancing on stage for the applause.”

He leans back and looks down. “Really?” The way he says it makes me laugh.

“When have I ever wanted the spotlight?”

“You should be in it, Tales.”

“No. I like seeing others in it, like you, the kids, the dance team, but as a whole …” I make a face that shows my distaste.

“Then come on the road with me. Teach us some moves.” He squeezes my ass.

“There isn’t a move I could teach any of you. The talent’s there; the skill is honed. It’s perfect.”

“Not true. Me up there without a guitar—”

“I’ll tutor you.”

“You will, huh?”

“In what, three weeks?”

“Two,” he says quickly.

“But you—” Has he been holding out on me? Why the hell do I wonder that? Good Lord we both just need to stop and enjoy a moment.

“Two.”

“Right.” I step away and get in the Escalade.

He gets in the driver’s side and asks, “Where to?”

“Feed me,” I say then decide to say something to change the darkening atmosphere. “Something salty and warm. Maybe a cream—”

“That’s enough, sweet cheeks.”

“You could have just talked to me,” I say, pointing to bulge. I still don’t understand why he would go and mess with… that.

“You’ll like it. Now enough talk about—”

“Fine.” I bet it hurts. Well I think it must I mean, hello!

It’s quiet for too long.

“My mom is going out of town for the weekend.” I turn in my seat and look at him.

“Is that so?”

“It is.”

“Come stay with me, then?” he says.

“Where?”

“Our place.” Grrr. He’s being so stubborn.

“Or you stay with me.”

He looks at me out of the corner of his eye.

“More privacy,” I allude.

He doesn’t reply. He pulls into the pizza place he used to take his dates to in high school, and I laugh.

“Old faithful?”

“What?” He looks at me confused.

“Nothing.” I open the door and get out.

“Oh, I see now. I like the pizza here, and I know you do, too.” He takes my hand and links our fingers as we walk in.

“Tony, what’s flying, man?”

“Well, lookee here.” Tony, the older Italian owner of the shop looks over at me and laughs. “And Tallia Priest.”

“Hey, Tony.” I feel my face heat up.

“Did he kidnap you, or did you come willingly?” Tony jokes.

“Kidnapped me,” I say, grinning at Memphis.

Memphis rolls his eyes then orders his favorite pizza. “Chicken, bacon, ranch, a medium.”

We then sit in a booth where he sits across from me.

“Ever think about leaving this place?”

“We both kind of have.” I answer.

“I mean farther away.”

“Of course. And you?” I take off my sweater and sit back.

“No, not really.”

***

The weekend plans were cancelled. Memphis and the band had to travel for some interviews in Texas, hoping to sell out the shows there. He was apologetic, and I was understanding, even though it stung.

The next week was busy, and something interesting happened. Ted, a member of the dance team, ended up spraining his knee. I talked to the manager of the dance team and learned that Ted’s partner, Anna, would be asked to leave the team. They just didn’t have time to train a replacement for Ted and all of our dances use partners. I offered to leave, instead, despite being afraid I would lose the classes I had and nervous that I was taking such a risk, but she didn’t accept. She asked that I stay on.

I decided that I should call and find out if the Stevie Danielle’s offer was still good. She said she was just about ready to fill the position, but she would still prefer me. I told her I was still interested and asked for another day to think about it.

I explained my situation to the manager, and she asked if she could change my mind, I told her no. This is a big deal for me. I hate disappointing people. I also hated telling Memphis to soar when I myself wasn’t even considering taking a step to do the same myself.

I walked out and grabbed my phone out of my bag, ready to call Stevie Danielle’s back when a message appeared.

Stevie was willing to give me an extra thousand-dollar bonus.

I messaged, asking if I could continue teaching my classes, and she responded immediately with yes.

Fate? I believe so.

I met with her assistant that evening and signed the confidentiality form after reading over my obligations. Four shows that were weekday, state fairs: New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. Expenses were paid, meals included.

I couldn’t talk to Memphis about it, because of the confidentiality form, but that was all right with me. I am going to get a taste of what traveling with a rock and roll band is like, even if it isn’t with Memphis. Then maybe, just maybe, it won’t scare me so much to admit that I would love to someday work side by side with the man I love.

I wasn’t lying when I told him the band had great stage presence, but it could always be better.

I wasn’t putting all my eggs in one basket, not at all. I was simply testing the waters.

***

It’s been over two weeks, and I have seen him once. We talked about the classes I have been teaching and his crazy schedule while at Tony’s for pizza again. He always wants to go there, and I thought it was because the road made him homesick, but he wasn’t even gone long. I worried about him. We kissed and cuddled in the car, though he seemed to be exhausted all the time.

I have stayed away from the band’s Twitter and other social media pages. I remember how it felt the first time, and now they were actually out there on their own and not fronting for someone else.

I honestly love working for Stevie. She is outrageous and the total opposite of me, and I am entertained all the time. She often asks about our private lives, but I never talk about Memphis. I got this gig based on my talent, and I will not use his name now nor in the future.

Shaunna is bass, Courtney acoustic, and Kellie plays the drums in the band. They are just as cool. They aren’t around a lot, but when they are, it’s a laugh a minute.

Cassy, Ivy, Joely, and Christi sing back up, while Christa, Liz, Dani, and I are the dance crew.

Cassy, Ivy, Joely, Christi, Liz, Dani, Christa, and I often work together.

I never really fit in anywhere when Madison wasn’t around, but here … Here feels good. I now understand why Memphis loves his career so much.

We are all packing our bags up and ready to leave when Sonya, Stevie’s assistant, comes in and hands us all an envelope.

Payday! Oh, how I love payday.

On my way to the dance studio, I send Memphis a message.

Tomorrow night? <3

I wait for his reply until it is past time to change into my ballet outfit.