Page 57 of Ice Rebel

“No, sir,” I said in response. He nodded toward the exit and I was happy to get out of his line of sight. Before I reached the door, he cleared his throat and I cringed.

“One more thing, Ms. Black. If you ever challenge me in that manner again in front of anyone else, that will be your last day. Do you understand me?”

I resisted saying anything I knew I’d regret or huffing. “Absolutely, sir. Never again.” With that, I slipped through the door, heading to grab my things. What a practice.

Now I’d need to remember the steps I’d inserted into the piece. Ugh. This was why I would never consider myself a choreographer. Because I wasn’t.

“That was intense,” Tori said as soon as I squeezed into the small room.

“Jasper is intense.”

She laughed. “He’s wound tight. Oh, who am I kidding? The man is an absolute freaking asshole.”

I nodded. Even though he’d offered kind words of criticism, I knew the next time he’d be brutal. “Yeah, he can be, but he’s good at what he does.” Since joining the small troupe, I’d never really felt part of the group. Maybe because I was a couple of years older. Maybe because this was a make it or break it few months. Or maybe because I wasn’t interested in being one of the ‘it’ crowd. They were always in a pack together, including when heading out to bars, which they did all the time.

Money could buy the best fake IDs.

“Just between you and me, I also heard through the grapevine there are some talent agents coming to see one of our performances.”

“What?”

Her eyes were full of excitement. “I’m not kidding.”

“The one on Sunday?”

“I don’t know.”

“Where did you hear that?”

Tori’s family had connections much like mine did. “My mother is best friends with one of the patrons. She mentioned it in passing.”

“Wow,” I muttered. “Well, I guess that means we need to step up our game.”

“Seems like you already have an in.”

Why did I feel like the kitty’s claws were ready to scratch my back? “Oh, I don’t think so. Jasper hates me.”

“Maybe he’d figured out you’re his ticket back.”

“What do you mean back?”

“To the A list, of course. He needs a solid top performer to do that. You’re perfect.”

I wasn’t entirely certain what Tori was insinuating, but I sensed she was purposely trying to dig for information. “I can imagine. You’re very good, Tori. Don’t sell yourself short.”

“After seeing you today, I want some of whatever drug you’re taking. You were amazing.”

“Nothing that a little heartache can’t accomplish.”

Her frown was exaggerated. “You need to get out more. I tell you what. I have an extra ticket for a Seattle Wild game next week. Why don’t you come with me?”

“Not you too.”

“What does that mean?”

“Please tell me you’re not a puck bunny.”

Her laugh filtered into the corridor. “There’s nothing wrong with being a puck bunny. You can’t lie and tell me the guys aren’t hot as sin.”