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)
They flicked their hands and kicked their heels, spinning to the lyrics while the Spanish guitar strummed. The song was about turning the tables on your lover, seducing them until they had no choice but to be bad. And if Tam used some of his new experience when creating the dance, no one would know except him.
During the bridge, he paired Z with Ansel and Hop with Jae, which left Tam in the center while the other boys groped and swayed together provocatively. Using specific Flamenco-inspired hand movements, Tam performed a short solo that eventually had him on the floor where the others joined him.
By the end, they were back on their feet hitting the last pose strong.
Tam stopped the music before the next song started and turned in time to see Ansel and Z exchanging a look.
“You don’t like it?” Tam asked.
“Honestly?”
Even with anxiety twisting his insides, Tam nodded. They’d never not liked one of his routines before.
Ansel came closer and touched his elbow. “It’s one of your best.”
Relief came out in a puff of breath. “Don’t scare me like that.”
“It’s understated,” Z said.
“But still so fucking sexy, like, I don’t know...” Hop tilted his head, thinking.
“Mature,” Jae put in.
“Yes!” Ansel snapped. “Exactly.”
“Whatever has gotten into you lately, it ain’t bad.” Z winked before strutting to the chairs to grab his water.
Tam hid his smile behind a towel when he wiped his face because he knew exactly what had changed.
Driver.
“Knock, knock.” Georgia peeked her head through the door.
“Hey, Georgia,” Tam said.
Georgia waved a hand. “Is this an okay time to watch? If not, I can come back later.”
“Oh.” Tam twisted the towel in his hands. “Sure, we actually just finished a new routine.”
“Aren’t you going to introduce us?” Ansel nudged Tam with his shoulder, then held out his hand to Georgia. “Hi, I’m Ansel.”
“Georgia Hinley, nice to meet you.”
“Sorry. Georgia is my boss,” Tam added. “This is Z, Hop, and Jae.”
She shook hands in turn with the friendly, open smile she was known for. “So you are the famous Sassy Boyz. It’s great to finally put faces to names I’ve heard around the metaphorical water cooler.”
“Thanks for taking care of our choreographer.” Ansel squeezed Tam’s shoulders.
“It’s my pleasure. I hope you don’t mind my popping in. I wasn’t able to get to a show before and I wanted so badly to see a Sassy Boyz performance.”
Ansel winked. “Tam’s new routine is killer.” Then he turned to the rest of the boys. “Let’s put on a show.”
They took their places while Tam started the music. It was the same dance, but now that they had an audience, even if it was just one person, they all seemed to have boundless energy and enthusiasm. It was as if every one of the boys had stepped up their game. The result was a smiling, clapping Georgia with wide eyes.
“Wow that was stunning. I’m so glad I walked by when I did.”
“Thanks,” Tam said.
“I knew you were talented, but I’m actually quite speechless, Tam. I want to help you.”
“Unless you know of someone who’d hire us, you’ve already done enough.”
Georgia nodded. “You know what? I need to get to a class now, but I’m going to make a few calls and see what I can scrounge up. The world needs to see what you’ve got.”
“Georgia, that’s—” It had been a joke. He hadn’t actually been asking for her help.
“Wow, thank you.” Ansel put in before Tam could object.
“You’ve already done so much for me.”
She tilted her head and met his eyes. “If you haven’t figured it out yet, you have a gift. It needs to be nurtured because this life is nothing without art. Let me help, it brings me joy.”
If he hadn’t already worshiped the woman, this would’ve made him her slave. Such generosity was precious in his life and he still didn’t know how to handle it. Luckily, Ansel and the boys were there to take the pressure off.
“We would appreciate it, sincerely.” Jae bowed at the waist.
Georgia took turns shaking everyone’s hand again, then pulled Tam into a hug.
“Gotta go, I’ll call you if I find anything.” And with that she disappeared out the door.
Ansel turned to the group with a huge smile spread across his face. “There’s still hope, bitches!”
Hop pressed play and they had an impromptu dance party.
* * *
The construction site was quiet when Driver arrived. He found Fitch in the makeshift office he’d organized in the kitchen.
“Hey, boss.”
Fitch looked up from the papers he was reading. “Hey. Wasn’t expecting to see you today.”
“Is it a problem?”
“Nah. In fact, Jerry called in sick. His whole family came down with that awful stomach bug going around. I could use an extra hand.”
“Thanks. Where do you want me?”
Fitch glanced at the papers and rubbed at the five-o’clock shadow on his jaw. “How’s your framing?”