10. Sophie

10

SOPHIE

I did it. Okay, we did it. I know it’s a team effort, but I did it. I choreographed a dance the judges liked. I taught it to Trevor. He performed it well enough for us to get one of the top scores. The television audience enjoyed it enough to vote for us to stay, and I took my first step to being chosen as a pro dancer for the next season. It’s going to happen.

The lights of the city cast shadows through the windows of the SUV limousine taking Trevor and me back to Atlantic City. Our friends and family that showed up for the first week’s show drove the limo up. We didn’t want to be rude and fly while they rode back, so we joined them.

“Champagne?” Bedard asks, holding up a bottle.

“Sure, thank you,” I say. We’re all shifters, and a glass of champagne won’t make anyone tipsy. Well, Miranda isn’t a shifter, but she’s Irish, so the same holds true for her, too.

My phone vibrates in my coat pocket, so I pull it out. It’s an email from the show’s producers with next week’s dance and song selection. We have the rumba. Rumba is a challenge at any time, but in week two, after the fast-paced, exuberant cha-cha? Being slow and sensual will be a big shift in gears. It’s a very intimate dance. I’ll listen to the track when I’m back in my room, but if it’s the version I think it is, we’re going to melt the dance floor next week.

“Everything okay?” Trevor asks. He’s next to me on the bench seat of the limo, his body heat seeping into me. It’s comforting. I’m exhausted after the long day and wish I could snuggle into his warmth and nap on the way home. I miss sleeping in his arms. While we were traveling for the road games, we slept apart because it would’ve been awkward being so obvious in front of the entire team and my brother. And when we were back in Atlantic City, we were caught up in extra dance practices, and Trevor had extra hockey practice and multiple home games. Even with willing spirits, having the time, place, and energy to be intimate beyond some quick kisses has been impossible. Hopefully after tonight, that will all change.

I nod. Even though the city lights are no longer streaming in, I know his night vision must be strong enough to see me. “Aye, they sent out what next week’s dance is. Rumba.”

His straight, white teeth flash with his smile. “You’re tired. You said ‘aye.’ You sound especially Irish when you’re tired or angry.”

“I am tired,” I admit. “Aren’t you?”

Trevor shakes his head. “Not yet. I’m still riding the adrenaline high. It’s the same way after a good game. I’ll zonk out when we get home.”

My intention is to stay awake with the others for the ride home. The reality is I fall asleep and am woken by Trevor gently jostling me and murmuring my name.

“Hmm…” I snuggle deeper under the covers. It’s so warm and cozy. I sit up abruptly when I remember I’m not in bed and realize I spent the ride nestled against Trevor’s side with his arm draped around me. I dislodge his arm, but I immediately miss the warmth and comfort.

Miranda’s smirking at me. She wipes at her chin. Random, but okay. She widens her eyes and rubs at her chin quite deliberately. Slowly, I reach up and rub at mine and am horrified to find it’s wet. Crap, I drooled in my sleep. I surreptitiously look at Declan, but other than a single raised eyebrow, he’s not reacting. That’s good. There’s nothing to react to. I’ve had a long day and long car rides lull me to sleep. It’s been that way since I was a kid. What I did was perfectly natural. So was Trevor putting his arm around me to keep me steady. That’s all it was.

I look out the vehicle window and am surprised not to see neon. We aren’t at Devil’s Den, we’re at Trevor’s home. It’s dark now so I can’t see anything but I know from being here New Year’s Day that in addition to the barn Trevor renovated into apartments for him and his teammates to live in, there’s the house Trevor grew up in with his siblings. That’s where Mallory and Liam live. It’s surrounded by woods full of trails to run on. His eldest brother has a cottage somewhere on the expansive property and there are assorted outbuildings like a pool house and garages. Relatives own neighboring properties so it’s almost like a big Carter family compound.

“I’ll drive you back to Devil’s Den,” Trevor says. “It was easier to come here first to drop everyone else off.”

“Or you can just stay over,” Miranda says. Declan whips his head toward her.

She shrugs. “She can stay in your room. You don’t sleep in there anymore.” Her eyes widen like they would when we were little girls and she heard there were new kittens in the barn. “You could move here and take over Dec’s room! It would cut down on the time wasted driving back and forth. You can practice here. Cutting out drive time would probably add another hour or two you guys could practice each day.”

I know she’s being logical and practical, but I do not want to live next door to my brother and my best friend. No matter how quiet they are, I’m going to hear things I don’t want to. Would Trevor even want me around that much?

Kendall and Burke are the first out of the limo, and I follow. No matter what I end up doing, there’s no reason to keep the limo here.

Before I can say anything, Mallory saves the day.

“Randi, you’ve only lived with Trevor for a few weeks, and you’re all wrapped up in love with Mac. As someone who has lived with my brother for years and who loves him, your suggestion sucks. Trev and Sophie work together for hours every day. They’ll be traveling together. For everyone’s sake, they need their own space.”

Trevor nods, and I try not to be offended. Because I don’t want to be with him constantly. Hell, there are times I don’t even want to be with me , let alone another person. Another reason to not get married. If I can’t do a couple of months with someone, how can I do forever?

“However,” Mallory turns to me. “Randi makes sense. Cutting down on drive time would give you more time to practice. If you don’t want to move in here”—she waves a hand at the barn— “you’re welcome to stay in the main house or the pool house. I think you’d like the pool house. It’s a short walk through the stand of trees. Bedroom, bath, kitchen, laundry. Not as fancy as Devil’s Den, of course.”

A gust of icy wind makes me shiver.

“Let’s discuss this tomorrow,” Trevor says. “We’re all too tired, and it’s too cold to be standing out here making decisions. Sophie, if you’re okay crashing here for tonight, that would be great, but no pressure. I’ll drive you back to AC if you’d be more comfortable.”

Liam and Mallory say goodnight and walk toward their home. Kendall and Burke are already upstairs.

“If you’re sure you don’t mind me staying over tonight,” I say, “that sounds good. I’m exhausted and want to get some more sleep. We can discuss things tomorrow?” I look from my brother and Miranda to Trevor. They nod, and Miranda smiles.

“Ooh, I hope you move in, even to the pool house.” She bounces on her toes and claps like she’d do on the sidelines as a cheerleader. I’ve watched videos of her and Trevor cheering to see what kind of things Trevor can do and get some inspiration for moves I can adapt. “We could hang out more, have girls’ nights.” Miranda leans forward and whispers, “Get away from the guys.”

Declan and Trevor look away, their lips twitching. Miranda doesn’t realize no matter how low she whispers, wolf shifters standing within three feet are going to hear her.

“I’ll think about it,” I whisper back. At my normal volume, I say, “Can we go upstairs? It’s cold out here.”

“Yeah, sorry,” Trevor says. “Let’s go.”

I follow him up the stairs to the apartment, admiring the way his jeans hug his arse. Hockey apparently sculpts muscle into divine proportions. The warmth of the apartment is welcome after the frigid chill outside.

“Do you want cocoa or warmed milk?” Declan asks as we take off our coats. His question makes me smile. That’s what Ma would make for us as kids before bed. I suspect there may have been a wee bit of whisky in there on days we were particularly ornery. That’s what I’d do. Another reason it’s a good thing I’m not planning on being a mother.

“No, I’m okay. I won’t have any problems falling asleep. Just point me in the direction of a bed.” Glancing at Miranda, I ask, “Do you have something I can borrow to sleep in?”

“Of course. Let’s get you settled.” She leads the way down the hallway. “Everything is fresh,” she says over her shoulder.

This room is a twin to Miranda’s room, but in a more masculine style. The furniture is dark wood, and the bedding is navy blue. Smiling, I spontaneously hug Miranda. I think it surprises her as much as it surprises me. I’m not usually a hugger, but that’s something I’d like to change. Especially with Miranda. For so long, we haven’t been close. Part of that was interference from Doreen and her cursed tea, but my own jealousy was to blame, too. I don’t have any close girlfriends. In the dance world, we’re always competing against each other, and just like my romantic relationships, women would pretend to be my friends to get closer to my family and advance their careers. Miranda has been my only loyal friend, even during the time we were apart. I know she’ll marry Declan one day and we’ll be sisters as well as best friends.

I’m envious that she has a group of girlfriends here already. I wish I had that. Maybe once I’m a permanent pro on the show, I can be friends with the other dancers. If I’m not going to have a man and a family in my future, then I want to have a group of friends. I don’t want to be alone.

“Here you go,” Miranda says, handing me a T-shirt and sleep pants. “I put a new toothbrush and deodorant on the counter. You’re welcome to my shampoo or anything else you need.”

“Thanks,” I say.

As she’s about to go through the bathroom that connects this bedroom with hers, she turns to add, “The guys have practice at ten in the morning. My schedule is flexible. If you want to go later than that, it’s not a problem.” She comes back into the room and bends to give me a hug. “I know you’re only here for a little while because of the show, but I’m so excited we’re going to be able to spend more time together. This is a dream come true for me. The man I love, my best friends, a home—these are things I was afraid to wish for when I was younger because I knew I’d never have them. Half the time, I expect to wake up and discover this was all a dream. But this really is my life now. It can be your life too.”

I think about what Miranda said as I prepare for bed. Her dreams are coming true. Mine are too. It’s a shame they’re taking us in different directions.