The Bad Boy Bargain (Suttonville Sentinels #1)(58)

“Thanks.” He accepted the high fives of his team before sneaking over to check his phone. Cade texted—he texted—to let Kyle know it was almost time. Okay, this was it. He might be thrown off the team for this, but some things were worth the cost.

He swallowed hard and went to Coach’s side. “Coach, I hate to do this, and I wouldn’t if it wasn’t important, but there’s someplace I need to be.”

Coach frowned. “We’re in the bottom of the second.”

“I know, and I swear I wouldn’t ask, but…I’m needed somewhere else.”

Coach’s frown deepened. “Is this about a girl?”

Kyle hid a wince. “Please, sir. Ledecky deserves a shot. He’s your future, and we’re up five to two. Give him a chance. I promise I’ll stay late every practice for the rest of the season. Just give me this one thing.”

Ledecky had perked up at the sound of his name. “I can do it, Coach. Give me a chance.”

Coach looked entirely bewildered, both eyebrows raised. The team started cheering around them and Kyle turned. Tristan had just hit a two-run shot. “We’re up by seven to two now. You don’t need me tonight.”

Finally, Coach relented. “Fine, okay. I don’t even want to know, but if you miss a single practice or game the rest of the season, I’ll bench you for the remainder.”

Kyle grinned in relief. “Fair enough. Thank you, sir.”

He ran to his car, dusted the dirt off his baseball pants, and drove over to the theater. So maybe the old man was right and he did smell like a yak, but he didn’t have any time to spare.

Violet was waiting at the front door, and she waved him in. “Hello, holy shoulders,” she stage-whispered, looking him over. “Nice look. I like the cleats.”

A blush crept up his neck. That girl’s gaze was like an MRI. “Have they started?”

“Yeah. Josh is already whining, and he dropped her on the first little lift.” Violet’s eyes narrowed. “He’s such a little diva. He didn’t even apologize. But I digress. You have a date.”

Kyle nodded and sneaked through the doors at the back of the theater to let his eyes adjust to the dark. Cade gave him a thumbs-up from the sound booth a few seats over.

On the stage, a crowd had gathered. There were a number of chorus dancers, and the kid with the boots must be Josh. Faith stood center stage, dressed in her fluffy skirt, a different leotard, and her ballet slippers. Even from here, he could see the bright spots of frustration standing out on her cheeks.

“Remember,” Cade whispered. “Knight in shining armor.”

“I’m fine.” And he was. All day long, he’d tested himself. After confronting Cameron, his confidence had grown each passing hour. He’d even managed a quick smile Faith’s direction during lunch. The fact that she’d looked away didn’t bother him in the least. He had a good feeling he could change her mind.

“Seriously, please tell me we’re redoing this. I can’t lift her,” Josh called to the director, who was sitting in the fifth row. “Sorry.”

“Joshua, enough.” The director waved his clipboard in frustration. “Faith, I’m so sorry. Unless I can find a stunt double in the next five minutes, we’ll have to redo the whole scene.”

“That’s your cue.” Cade pushed a button and the music started back up.

The director turned around, looking annoyed, then confused as Kyle jogged past him. Holding his nerves in check, he sprang up on the stage in one jump, ignoring the stairs entirely. “Is this where I try out for stunt double?”

The clipboard clattered to the floor. “Who are you? And why are you wearing cleats on my stage?”

Kyle stood tall next to Faith at center stage. “I’m the guy who can lift Laurey over my head.”

Faith’s mouth was hanging open. “Kyle, what are you doing?”

He winked at her and turned back to the director. “What do you say? Can I audition?”

“I’ll restart the music!” Cade called, without waiting for an answer.

Kyle turned to Faith. “I know what two of the lifts are. What’s the third?”

“Just lift me straight up by my waist, no turn.” She sounded bewildered, but pleased. Good enough. “I’ll cue you.”

He rolled his shoulders. “Let’s do it.”

Her eyes sparkled. “Remember, you asked for this.”

The music swelled and Faith twirled around, straight into his open arms. “Straight up.”

He grabbed her waist and lifted, until his arms were over his head. Faith squealed, and he brought her down.

“That was high. Okay, next move. Over there.” She pointed to stage right, whirling away from him. “Lift from last week.”

“I’m on it.” He trotted over to stage right, ignoring the delighted stares from the chorus girls and the pissy look on Josh’s face.

Faith danced all around the stage, her face crumpled in despair. He almost believed it, except for the twitch of a smile at the corner of her mouth. She turned back his direction, spinning so that her back was to him. Her knees bent, and he grabbed her hips. She leaped, and he turned her in a circle as she held that bent-legged pose, just like before. Her form was beautiful, and one of the chorus girls breathed, “Wow.”