She looks at me, and I flinch. “I might not have been very clear when I asked her to come with me.”
“Okay, well, I wanted to see you, too. Rumor has it you’re a pretty good dancer.”
She laughs, gesturing to her still-wrapped foot. “Not doing much of that right now.”
I wish I could say it hasn’t slowed her down, but that would be a lie. Because of the injury, she hasn’t been able to work. Not at the ballet or the club. It drove her a little insane, but I’m thankful she didn’t argue when I told her I would take care of her until she was on her feet again. Literally.
Unfortunately, I can’t fix everything. Her dance instructor asked her to perform in a showcase Christmas Eve. Considering it was a week ago, there was no way she could make it happen. I hated how disappointed she was about letting her teacher down, but I couldn’t magically fix her injuries.
“That’s fine. I don’t need you today.” Maddox tells her, shrugging his shoulders. “But in a few months, I’ll need a choreographer and a lead dancer to start rehearsing for the summer tour.”
“For Lily?” I ask, knowing she’s the only one of the three acts he names that incorporates dancers.
He nods, affirming my guess.
“And you want me?” Poppy squeaks. “Why me?”
“Because I saw you at the ballet. And because a little birdie told me you know how to do a lot more than pirouettes.” He smirks, and I scowl. “Chill out, Jagger. I met Quinn the same way.” His head bobs from side to side. “Kind of. The point is, I’ve done some checking. You do a lot more than ballet, and you’re very good. You’re also quite the skilled choreographer.” Leave it to Maddox to find all of this out. He said in the name of business, but it was in the name of being nosy—of being paranoid, and a deep need to make sure those he loves are safe. “I could go through the whole interview and audition process, but why, when you fit the bill. Bonus points that Lily likes you, and that little fucking diva will make me punt her from the roof if we have to sit through auditions with her.”
“I don’t know.” But I can see the gleam in her eyes. She was a ballerina by duty. This would be her choice. “Can I think about it?”
“Yep. You’ve got six weeks to decide. Just remember, if you say no, her untimely demise will be on your head. No pressure.”
Poppy laughs, light and airy, and I already know what her answer is.
“You, on the other hand…Well, I guess you have a choice too. Record the songs and go on tour, or see how the other half lives in the unemployment line. Your brother won’t do it, so I’m pushing you out of the nest. Time to stop hiding behind what’s comfortable.”
I sigh, shaking my head. “Okay. Fine. I’ll do it, but only Sons can help me record them. Be the music.”
He grins wide. “Don’t ever think you and your brother aren’t alike.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because would anyone else come in here and negotiate withmeby asking formyband to play their music tracks?
I chuckle. “Guess not.”
He stands, and we follow him out of the office.
As we walk to the elevators, my mind spins. I’m going to record my music. The dream I’d thought died long ago has not only been brought back to life, but it’s been demanded of me.
I’m nervous. Everyone may be right. Maybe I have been letting what Maxwell said hold me back. Mom, too. I know she was sick, but the words have never been forgotten.
But no matter how far I separated myself from the creation aspect, it was still there. My guitar was put away for years, but the melodies never left me, and the lyrics haunted me.
“What are you going to do?” Poppy asks me as we ride the elevator down.
“I’m going to finish the songs and record them.” Saying it out loud makes my heart pound, but I won’t deny it feels right. “Besides, Maddox didn’t give me a choice.”
“Of course you have a choice, Jagger.”
“Not one that I can live with. I can’t leave this place. Did you know before it was my Dad and Nichols, it was my grandfather’s?” She shakes her head. “I never wanted to be Graham, but this place is as important to me as it is to him. Now, what about you, Halfpint? What are you going to do?”
Her mouth twists into a comical smirk. “Well, I’m curious how he knew about my other ventures in dance.”
My head falls back, a deep laugh spilling from me. “Don’t think too hard about that. Trust me.”
“I’m also…really excited! Not being able to dance the last few weeks has given me time to think. I don’t love ballet. Not the way I should. But I do miss dancing.” Her head falls back against the elevator, then twists in my direction with a teasing glimmer in her eyes. I suppress a sigh, knowing what she’s about to say. “The most fun I’ve had dancing in years was at The 1st Circle.”
