Page 50 of Grunt: A Marine Romance

Two hours later, they had finished with all the group moves. “That’s good for now. Finish up your solos and I’ll put everything together tomorrow,” Selena said.

Vika and Asher didn’t even break; they just launched right into their solo routine. She was a Latin champ, so her paso would be fine. Bret and Robyn started fine-tuning their paso. Xavier was great at the flamenco, no worries there, either. Jenny was the one Selena was worried about. Out of the corner of Selena’s eye, she spotted Jenny sitting at a side table, studying Walter Laird’s encyclopedia of dance steps, Technique of Latin Dancing. Dion was in the center of the floor trying to copy Xavier’s steps.

“Awesome, Xavier. Do that again and keep your frame. I’ll be right back.” Selena took a deep breath then headed over to Jenny, stopping momentarily to adjust Dion’s back. “You gotta arch it out, Big Boy. There, that’s it.” She pinched his abs and moved on.

Selena slipped into the chair opposite Jenny. “So . . . need help?”

Jenny didn’t even look up from her book. “No. I was looking up the name of a step. I’m fine.”

“Oh.” Selena didn’t even know the names of half the steps because she learned them in Russian. She sat there a minute, watching as Jenny flipped to the next page then flipped back again. Tiny creases appeared on Jenny’s forehead, the kind she got when she was just about to throw something. Selena just hoped it wasn’t that book … at her.

“Alright, Jen. Enough. I’m sorry, okay?”

Jenny closed the book and laid it flat, her hands on top, but she still didn’t look at Selena. “I never meant to insult you. Really I didn’t. I’m just stressed out about Bret. You know I don’t mind helping you out.” Selena reached over, then hesitated—afraid Jen would pull away—before resting her hands on Jenny’s.

Jenny let them stay.

“And I’m sorry I asked if you told the tabloids about my miscarriage. Hell, you’d rip your own tongue out before you’d do that, I know. I just didn’t know who leaked it. Still don’t. And now Bret and I are over. There’s nothing private in the dance world. Ever.”

Jenny finally looked up at Selena, the creases gone from her forehead. “I can’t believe you thought I would sell you out! After all we’ve been through. And calling me out today about my Latin dancing in front of everyone is a bitchy thing to do.”

“It was.” Selena nodded her head.

“Friends don’t do that to friends.”

“They don’t.” Selena put on her most solemn face and shook her head side to side.

Jenny pointed a finger at her. “Selena Maria Marcil. Are you ever going to accuse me of leaking secrets again?”

Jenny was so dramatic. Selena hadn’t actually accused her. She’d just asked. Not worth the fight, though. “Never. I swear.” Selena crossed her heart and spit into her palm like every good Catholic schoolgirl knew to do. She stuck out her hand to shake.

Jenny shoved her hand away. “That’s disgusting! Fine. You’re forgiven.” She finally smiled the old Jenny smile and gave her a big hug. “And thank God for it already—Elizabeth needs saving and that’s going to take both of us. She has her eye on dancing with Jared. She swears she’s not flirting with Benny, but I don’t know what to believe.”

Wow, this girl lived for gossip. “Don’t worry, we’ll deal with Elizabeth after the finale. For now, throw that book away, will you? I’ll get your paso up to par.” Selena wiggled her butt and strutted toward the dance floor. “Selena is In. Da. House!”

She paraded over to Xavier and took his hand. “It’s a deal. You have yourself a tour choreographer.” She prepared to shake on it but Xavier lifted her in the air and spun her around.

“That’s what I’m talking about girl. It’s going to be fierce. You won’t regret it.”

Selena looked over at Bret and he smiled at her. Maybe she should thank him for telling her that there was a world beyond competing. He was right. She had been so narrow minded and wanted to go straight from the floor to being a housewife and mother. For the first time in Selena’s life, she would live her life how she wanted to live it. Not what her partner, her boyfriend, her mother, her coach, or her friends wanted, but just for her. And someday, she hoped she’d be able to fall in love and start the family she craved.