Maze (The Ballerina Series #2) Read Online Free PDF

younger, stronger,
and better came along. I too had replaced someone else when I was hired. Tessa
was no longer with the company. I had taken her place. Just as Dante became the
principal male dancer when he nudged Jeffery out of his spot. Although he was
still around. We were all replaced sooner or later. Understanding that didn’t
make it easier, though. A dancer is what I was in my soul. My mood took a
nosedive.
    “What
does this mean?” Maze asked.
    I
twisted to look at him, doing my best to look content when I was anything but.
“I’m being replaced.”
    “Now,
that’s not quite true, Ivy,” Dante spoke up.
    I
swung back to face him. “You and I both know if not now then later, but that’s
what it means. They will have a replacement ready to go.”
    “But
what if you come back good as new?” Maze asked. “Doesn’t that make a
difference?”
    “Yes,
it does,” I replied. “It means I’d keep my position as the featured female lead
for maybe another few seasons, but sooner or later I will be replaced.”
    “Fucking
hell,” Maze grunted. “Well they’re not replacing you yet. I already promised
you I would help. We’ll get that ankle so strong you’ll be even better on it
than you were before.”
    “You
know,” Dante said, “I’m kinda liking this guy. Fucking A.” He got up and came
over to fist bump Maze’s hand. “Okay, kiddies, I gotta go take a shower, order
a little take out, then go to bed. I have to be at the theatre at six tomorrow
to go over the routine with Christy. We’re doing a special performance in a
couple of days. We’re filling in for a duo that had to cancel at the last
minute.”
    “Where’s
Christy?” I asked. Oops, I didn’t mean to say that out loud. I knew Dante
hadn’t been hanging with her lately, but Christy was very into him. I was sure
she just loved the fact they were dancing together. “Sorry, forget I said
anything.”
    “No.
It’s cool. I told you we’re taking a break. She got too clingy and you know me.
I like variety. Anyway enjoy the rest of your evening and I’ll see you both
later.”
    “Night,
man,” Maze said.
    “Night,”
I repeated. We were silent as we watched Dante go into his room then shut his
door. “I guess we better go to the restaurant,” I stated.
    “No
matter what you’ll be okay,” Maze replied, trailing his hand down the side of
my face.
    My
lips trembled but I fought the fog threatened to drag me under. I twisted
around to look at him. “Promise?”
    “I
swear.” He raised my hand and kissed it. “I better call the car around or we’ll
be late.”

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
    Chapter Four
    Maze
              
    We
walked into the restaurant lobby just as the hostess seated Ivy’s mom and
friends. I would have known Ivy’s mother anywhere. Her daughter looked a lot
like her. They had the same warm brown coloring and were both about the same
height. Her mom probably only weighed a little more than Ivy did. Where Ivy’s
hair was past her shoulders and wavy, Allison wore her hair cut in a short,
capped curly style that worked great with her high cheekbones. The same ones
she gave her daughter. Ivy introduced me to all of them. Ivy’s mom, who told me
to call her Allison, and Shel’s parents remembered me, or claimed they did.
Both women hugged me, which surprised the hell outta me. Shel’s dad, Ben, shook
my hand. Since my mother died, I could count the number of times on one hand I
was hugged that had nothing to do with a prelude to sex.
    It
was nice being hugged by the two moms. I didn’t want Ivy to know but I was
nervous. I wanted to make a good impression on them. I wanted them to know how
much I cared about Ivy. She was everything to me and I’d be good to her. I
didn’t deserve her. I knew that, but damn, if I wasn’t going to try and live up
to her and her family’s expectations. It was clear Ivy and her mother were
close. They sat next to each other and chatted,