Down the Rabbit Hole (Stuck On You)

Chapter 17: If It KillsThe next day at practice was much better. I trusted Hayden again, which meant that the lift went up without a hitch. I had been avoiding it for the past week. Our contemporary piece was to Jason Mraz's 'If It Kills Me'. Hayden setdown and put his hand up to mine as we continued the routine. At one point, I noticed that nobody else was dancing anymore, they were just watching us. I spun out before Hayden grabbed my hands. My leg went up in a tilt and Hayden slid his hand down my leg before I bent my knee and snapped it up again. I pivoted to face him and put my hand on his chest. Gently pushing him, I sashayed off into a switch leap then a ring jump. I set before I started the pirouettes. I did two, before I pulled my leg up into a scale as I spun. I knew Hayden would be there when I finished. I landed and leaned back so I was falling. Hayden caught my back and I pushed my feet off of the ground. He caught my upper legs and I arched my back so I was looking at the ground as he spun me. He swungso I was upright again and pressed against him.

I lowered myself to the ground and rolled on to my back. Hayden spun before he landed so that he was hovering above me. He touched my face gently and I arched my back up until I was sitting up. He turned into my lap so that his shoulder was against my chest. We finished with his face inches from mine and my hand spread over his chest and his stomach. I was breathing heavily and so was he. He pecked my cheek and I smiled lightly. We stood up and froze when we noticed everyone staring at us.

"That was beautiful," Luca breathed. I walked over to get a drink of water. Hayden smiled atdiscreetly. We were back on track, and that's all that mattered. He wasn't mine, but at least I knew now that it was a possibility. Everyone started getting ready to leave. Sophia sauntered over to Hayden and started talking to him. I saw her smile seductively and felt my stomach drop. His eyes glanced atbefore he shook his head. I didn't know what that meant, but I hoped that it meant that he was turning her down. I couldn't help that I was jealous. No matter what I told him, I was still falling for him. After another moment, he walked over to me.

"I'm not going to upset you again," he said softly. I only shrugged and looked at the floor. He pulled up my chin and kissed my gently. "I mean it. I can't deal with you not talking toagain," he whispered. I nodded once.

"Are you ready to go home?" I asked. He hesitated before he nodded. Back at the apartment, we ate and watched a movie. I was relaxing comfortably against Hayden when my phone rang. I saw the caller ID and stood up. I headed to my room before I answered it. Hayden gavea confused look.

"What's wrong?" Hayden asked groggily. I pointed at my phone.

"I have to take this," I said before I went to my room and closed my door behind me. I smiled lightly as I answered the phone.

"Hi daddy," I said softly.

"Hi, Jobear! Did I catch you at a bad time?" he asked. I laughed gently.

"I always have tfor you, daddy," I said. It was his turn to laugh.

"How's university life treating you, sweetheart?" he asked. I sat on my bed and sighed.

"It's fine, I guess. I joined a dance crew. We're called Three By Three. Well, Quinn and I just caused for a nchange. My roommate introduced us to them," I said.

"How is your guy roommate? He's not trying anything on you, is he?" my dad. I smiled and bit my lip lightly.

"No, dad, but he has been... interesting," I said. My dad knew about Hayden. He'd checked Hayden out before he letlive with him. My dad had those sorts of resources.

"Well I was just calling to check in on you," he said.

"You know, you could cvisitand see," I suggested. I heard him hesitate. I rolled my eyes and stood up as I started pacing. I knew where this was going.

"Jobear, you know I'm extremely busy, but I'd love to see you. Can you fly down here? Maybe you and Hayden could stay at the beach house. Then I'd be able to meet him in person," he asked. I sighed.

"You're only in LA! How is it that you can fly to China for a business meeting, but you won't even cup here to see your own daughter? Dad, you could even take the helicopter, you wouldn't even have to take the jet," I complained. "Jordyn Josie Campbell," he said sternly. I sighed.

"Sorry, I know that you're busy," I muttered.

"I'll see you in about a month at the charity ball with Quinn anyway, darling. Why don't you bring Hayden with you?" he said. I sighed and stopped pacing. I looked towards the door and bit my lip.

"I don't know if bringing Hayden would be such a good idea," I said.

"I know that you don't like people knowing who I am, Jobear, but from our occasional texts, it dad said you like him "Why Is it seems likel E sympathetically. "If you plan on dating him, he's got to figure out where you cfrom sooner or later."

"Dad, I want him to likefor me. I don't want his decision affected by what I have. As far as he knowsm cfrom a roomy apartment in Texas with my mom. He's not going to know that my dad is... well you," I said lowly into the phone. I didn't want to risk Hayden hearing me. "Just think about it, okay, love," he asked. I sighed and closed my eyes briefly as my hand went to my head. "Okay, okay, I'll think about it," I agreed.

"I love you, Jobear. Callif you need anything," he said.

"I love you too, daddy," I said muttered before I hung up the phone.

I was a bit stubborn when it cto asking my dad for favors. Hem practically had to begto pay for the apartment. I sighed and threw my head back. I loved my father but all of our phone conversations normally ended like that. He was always busy. The charity ball was the only tthat I was positive I would see him. Quinn had gone withsince we becfriends. 00000 X RULE #1 choose married women They have reason to keep things secret, as do you.

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