Chapter 9: Tango Into Oblivion
Chapter 9: Tango Into Oblivion
The gig was here before we knew it. Lana ignored me for the most part and I was fine with that. We
were set up in a dressing room together. I set my duffle down and shooed the boys out of the room. We
got dressed and put our little dance footsies. I took hours to straighten my hair earlier. It hung down
almost to my butt. When my hair was curly, it only went to the middle of my back, but straightening it
brought it way longer. I teased it a bit so it was controlled but looked sexy and tousled.
Quinn and Lana did the same with theirs. We were all uniform together; despite our differences. I had
to admit, we looked good. I approached Lana while she was making last minute adjustments in the
mirror. I sighed and prepared myself. I had decided to be the bigger person. Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.
"Look, I'm sorry if I gave you the wrong impression, and after this gig, he's all yours again for dancing.
And just so you know, nothing is going on between Hayden and me. I think he's a pig. Honestly, the guy
repulses me and he's just my roommate, nothing more, but I can't chose who he sleeps with. Just know
that it won't be me... Are we cool?" I explained. She hesitated before she nodded.
"Just swear you won't sleep with him," she said. I scrunched my nose and nodded. There was no way I
was telling her about the bet.
"Not even if he was the last person on earth," I agreed. She chuckled and raised an eyebrow at me.
She looked like she was about to say something but she changed her mind at the last second.
"We should probably let the boys get ready," Lana said. Quinn giggled and opened the door. The guys
just dropped their pants and changed into slacks. The girls had to oil up the guys so that their muscles
stood out more. We dabbed them down so that we didn't slip when we danced with them before we
washed our hands of the oil.
The nerves were starting to hit me as we waited backstage. They introduced us before we took the
stage. I blocked out the audience and just listened to the music. We ran through the routine flawlessly.
It was the best we'd ever done it. I smiled at Hayden before we turned towards the audience and took a
bow.
Once we were out of view of the audience, Hayden picked me up and spun me around. I hugged Quinn
and high-fived Lana. The boys looked at us confused and we just laughed.
"That was amazing," I smiled. We went back to the dressing room and pulled out our change of
clothes. The girls didn't even care. We pulled off the costumes with the guys still in the room. I pulled
up the strapless bra with a little sigh.
I quickly pulled on my black mini dress. It was basic and sexy all at the same time. I paired it with a pair
of black pumps. Even with my 8-inch pumps, Hayden was still taller than me. He gave me a little spin
before we left the changing room and went to put our things in his truck.
"You look so... beautiful," he said a bit wistfully. He touched my cheek and smiled gently before he
kissed me. His arm went around my waist.
"Are you feeling okay, Hayden? You're being sweet to me," I asked. He chuckled and shrugged. I
smiled lightly. "It's almost like you care for me," I joked. He shrugged.
"Maybe I do," he said softly. I raised my eyebrows at him.
"Really?" I asked slightly surprised.
"Nope, I never said that," he said. I smiled and smacked his chest lightly. "We should go back inside,"
he said. Inside was like a club. It was completely different from when we performed. Hayden grabbed
my hand and pulled me to the bar. Hayden ordered two shots and the bartender gave it to him without
a second look. I just got water.
"Jo," I heard from behind me. I turned to see Lewis. I smiled and hopped off of the stool to hug him.
"You were fantastic up there," Lewis said. I smiled and thanked him. Hayden cleared his throat beside
me. I looked at him before I turned back to Lewis.
"Lewis, this is my dance partner, Hayden. Hayden, this is my..."
"Let's make it boyfriend," Lewis smiled at me. I gave a small smile.
"That's not going to happen," Hayden said with a smirk. I looked at him confused.
"Hayden, that's not really your decision," I said, turning to him. He was acting... jealous. He locked his
jaw stubbornly and I rolled my eyes.
"Umm, I'll come back later," Lewis said. Hayden and I were still having a staring contest. I crossed my
arms and raised an eyebrow at him.
"Hayden, it's not like you're my boyfriend or dad, so you can't control my love life. It's mine, and I don't
have to tell you everything," I explained. He didn't say a word for a long time.
"Well then tell Lewis to take you home," he said before he left. I sighed and watched him storm out of
the door. I sighed and went to find Quinn. She was standing near a tall handsome guy with curly black
hair and hazel eyes. She smiled and grabbed my arm.
"Jojo! This is Duncan," she said introducing me to her roommate. I said hi to him with a soft smile
before I turned to Quinn.
"Can you take me home?" I asked her. Her smile fell.
"Where's Hayden," she asked. I sighed and rolled my eyes.
"He got mad after Lewis called himself my boyfriend and left," I explained. Quinn's eyes widened.
"Lewis is here? That's crazy; you haven't seen him in years. And of course Hayden got jealous; it's
almost like you two are dating," she said. I sighed and crossed my arms over my stomach.
"We're not dating," I said softly, "Will you please just... take me home?" She looked at me before she
sighed sympathetically and nodded. She took Duncan's hand and we left the club.
Back at the apartment, I dropped my things by the door after I walked in and let out a breath. I knew
that I wasn't going to get any sleep with my fight with Hayden looming on my mind. I changed out of my
dress and into a sports bra and Nike pros with a light tank top over it. I walked over to Hayden's room
and opened the door. I froze with my hand on the doorknob. I couldn't stop looking. Hayden was
messing around with a bombshell blonde in his bed. He saw me and sat up.
"You should really learn to knock, sweetheart," he said indifferently. I felt my eyes start to sting as
frustrated tears sat on my waterline. I shook my head before I locked my jaw and a tear finally did
escape me. I shut the door quickly and let out a breath. I wiped my cheeks before I went to my room
and curled up on my bed. I let out a shaky sigh and let my eyes close. I just wanted today to be over
with.