Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 85167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
And his brother.
His fingers curled into fists on the leather couch and he swallowed against the lump in his throat. Still, after more than a decade, it hurt the most to remember his brother. He’d been so young and happy all the damn time. It had pissed Driver off. He’d been in his moody teenager phase, rebelling against everything for no reason.
He’d known he wasn’t like other kids. All his friends were so fixated on girls. And yeah, Driver could see the appeal, but he’d also loved how the sun glinted off of his friend Billy’s hair and the manly smell of Johnny’s armpits. He’d never gotten the chance to tell his parents. He still wasn’t sure if he was relieved about that or not.
What was done was done. He couldn’t change anything about that awful night and he couldn’t change the inevitable loss barreling at him like a freight train. What he could do was get his damn laundry, make sure Harrison’s turtle didn’t die, and keep moving. Always moving. If he never stopped the grief wouldn’t catch him.
He made it downstairs before the machine finished the last spin cycle. He’d swiped Harrison’s laundry basket to collect the wet mess. As he was pulling the items out of the machine, a flash of color caught his eye. Tangled in with his black socks and Henleys was a strip of neon-pink lace.
He immediately recognized them from the night before and his blood heated.
Fuck.
Tam’s panties.
* * *
Tam puffed out a breath and straightened his shoulders as he walked through the lively halls of Hinley Dance Center later that afternoon. It was time.
For months after The Vibe closed, he’d avoided asking for favors, but he couldn’t any longer. The boys were struggling. After ten auditions with nothing to show for their effort, Tam could feel their frustration. Everyone was losing confidence, and organizing rehearsals at Ansel’s place was a chore.
He knocked on Georgia’s office door and waited for her soft welcome before stepping through. Georgia Hinley was the owner and operator of Hinley Dance Center, and his boss and his beacon.
“Tam, what brings you by?” She stood and rounded her desk. “Is everything okay with your classes?”
“Yeah, they’re great. The students seem to enjoy them.”
Georgia waved to a pair of armchairs and they both sat. “I knew they’d be a hit. I was actually thinking of adding another slot because we’ve gotten so many requests. What do you think about Thursday afternoons? Maybe an advanced class?”
“Thursday afternoons? Um, yeah, I mean... I don’t have anything else so it should be fine.”
“Great, I’ll have Kelly make the arrangements. Now, tell me, what’s the purpose of this rare visit? Not that I don’t enjoy seeing you.”
Tam rubbed his hands together in his lap but forced himself to maintain eye contact. “Well, the thing is, I was wondering if...” He paused and took a deep breath. “We—I mean, my dance group—needs a rehearsal space and I was hoping we could use one of the free studios. I’d make sure not to interfere with the class schedule and I’ll clean up afterward and keep the music low so we don’t disturb anyone. It’d only be once in a while for a short time until we find another club.”
A crease appeared between Georgia’s thick black brows even though she was smiling. “Tam, I don’t mind at all. You should know by now I love it best when every room in the building is full and overflowing with creative energy, and I know you’ll work around classes. But what’s this about a new club? I thought you were dancing nights at a club in West Village?”
“We were, but the club owner was arrested a few months ago. We haven’t had a steady gig since.”
She sat forward in her chair. “Really? Why didn’t you tell me? Where have you been rehearsing?”
“My friend’s living room. He and his partner have a place in New Jersey. Sorry for not saying anything. I was really hoping we’d find a replacement sooner than this, but we haven’t been having much luck.”
“Gosh, I’m sorry to hear that. And I’m kicking myself for never getting to one of your shows. I truly wanted to see you on stage. The Sassy Boyz, right? I remember when you first mentioned the group and how much I loved the name.”
“It suits us. Until we find a new home, if you want to pop into one of our rehearsals I’d love your input.”
Her smile was wide and warm. “I’ll definitely do that. Once you have a schedule let me know.”
Tam nodded and stood. “Thanks, Georgia.”
As he left, it felt as if a pressure had been released from his chest. It might not be a huge step toward getting the boys back on stage, but at least they could spread out and dance properly during rehearsals now.