Chapter 23

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

SASHA

Sweat drips down my back as I move to the music, smiling at Carter as he dances almost like a pro. When the music stops, I grab a towel I left on the floor and wipe the sweat off my forehead.

"I don't think you need me anymore," I tell Carter, who is downing his water.

"You're not firing me as a client, are you?" he questions, and I shake my head.

"Nah, I'll continue to take your money and dance with you for as long as you want, but you really don't need the classes anymore."

He shrugs. "Maybe not, but I like having this as part of my routine."

I smile at him and nod. I love spending time with Carter, and even though I get to show off on the sidelines now, dancing in a setting like this is still different. I'm grateful that we were able to find a space at the school to continue our lessons. Even though Carter definitely doesn't need me anymore, I think I would feel lost if I couldn't practice my ballet from time to time.

"Well, I'm glad you are willing to pay to spend time with me," I tease, then pause. "Wait, does that make me like a friend hooker?"

Carter laughs while shaking his head. "Nah. You're a real friend who still teaches me something new every time we get together and deserves to be compensated for his expertise."

I chuckle and wave my off. "Well, I appreciate it. And since you're so eager to keep learning, I'm excited to work on your Fouetté next week."

He throws his head back with a groan at the mention of one of the most difficult turns in ballet. "Fuck, maybe I should fire you."

I laugh as we pack up our bags. "I'd maybe believe you if you didn't just confess to loving me so much," I tease with a wink.

My phone beeps in my bag, and I pull it out, shaking my head. I see another video using the clip from Sunday's interview.

Carter glances over my shoulder and chuckles. "You guys are internet famous," he says, and I roll my eyes.

"It's the asses in the background that people really want to see. I'm just there out of sheer coincidence."

The guys are lucky they didn't get in more shit with the university about the stunt they pulled. The only repercussion they are facing is having to sit out one game. It's going to suck, but it could have been far worse.

"Should I get your autograph now before you get really famous?" he jokes, and I give him a playful shove.

Ever since Rio's idiot teammates decided to moon that reporter on Sunday, my face has been everywhere. I was a little anxious when the video started blowing up like it did since I've done everything in my power to stay under the radar since I moved to Green Spring. But I've been able to push most of that anxiety to the side. I mean, it's been seven years since I left Lux; there's no way he could still be looking for me, right?

We bullshit as we head down the hall, and I wave at him when I need to take my exit and then make the short walk to my house.

An eerie shudder creeps up my spine as I walk along the sidewalk, and I keep looking over my shoulder, but I never see anyone out of the ordinary. I really hate how much of a hold Lux still has on me, even after all this time. It's highly unlikely that he's going to hunt me down after all this time, but my subconscious hasn't gotten that memo and is still on high alert for no reason.

When I get home, I shut the door behind me and sigh.

"Are you all right?" Max asks, and I shake my head.

"That stupid video going viral is stirring up feelings from my past, and now I can't even walk down the street without thinking someone is following me," I tell him as my heart races.

"Shit, come sit down," he instructs, rushing over to grab my hand and guide me to the couch. "You think someone was following you?" he checks.

I shake my head. "Not really. I didn't see anyone, but I couldn't shake this creepy feeling either. I'm pretty sure it's just my mind playing tricks on me. When I left California, I ran away from a really bad guy who told me if I ever left him, he'd hunt me down and kill me. I doubt he's still looking for me, but I'm still scared nonetheless."

"Shit," Max mutters while wrapping an arm around my shoulder. "I'm sorry that you're going through this right now. Is there anything I can do to help?"

I shrug. "Unless you can rewire my brain, I don't think anything is going to help."

"I could drive you to classes when I'm not working," he offers, and as much as I don't want to accept help, it's not a bad idea.

"I'd really appreciate that," I tell him with a smile. "I could probably also ask Rio to drive me around when you can't. At least then I won't have to worry about being alone. Like I just said, I'm sure I'm overreacting, but if using the buddy system will stop my panic attacks, I'm all for it."

"We've got you. You have good people in your life now, and we won't let you down."

I smile at him before taking a deep breath as the panic slowly lifts off my shoulders.

I'm not alone. And I'll never be alone again.