The Biker's Fate Chapter 384

Flea chuckled. "Actually, I think she was surprised we called to rectify the situation, and that gave us brownie points."

I bit my lip. "I feel like an idiot."

"Don't, babe. This was your first mistake. Hatch thinks you're perfect."

"He does?"

Flea nodded. "Yep. I think he's gonna lose his mind when you get the call from the ballet place."

Before I could respond, my phone rang, and I excused myself to answer it. "This is Grace."

"Miss Lundy?"

"Yes?"

"This is Luna from PBC."

"Hi, Luna."

Ohmigod, my heart started racing and I suddenly felt sick to my stomach.

"I will be sending you a letter later this week, but I'm calling to offer you a spot as an apprentice dancer for the spring season."

I couldn't stop my disappointment from sitting low in my belly. "Oh, wow. Thank you."

Although, I didn't feel very thankful. I felt cheated.

"Your letter will include expectations and pay, along with a schedule. If you can sign the contract and send it back as soon as possible, we can put you on the roster and have you join our team."

"Okay, thank you so much."

She confirmed my mailing address and we hung up, and I forced myself not to kick something.

"You okay?" Flea asked, and I nodded.

"Golden."

"Yeah?"

"Yep."

"Why do you look like someone just kicked your puppy, then?"

"It's not important," I grumbled, dropping my phone into my purse.

"Don't do that, Grace." He crossed his arms. "Who was on the phone?"

"PBC."

"Yeah? Did they offer you a spot?"

"Not really."

He cocked his head. "What do you mean?"

I sighed. "I am being offered an apprentice position. Which means I only dance when someone is sick or there's need of a large cast."

"And that's a bad thing?"

"Yes, Flea. It's a bad thing," I snapped. "It means they think I sucked."

"I highly doubt that."

"Forget it. They're mailing me everything and I can make a decision when I see the terms."

"Grace?"

"What?" I snapped again.

"What's wrong?"

"I have no backup plan. I have a BA in Arts & Humanities and a minor in psychology. People with a BA in Arts & Humanities are usually unemployed."

"You're not unemployed."

"No, but I'm supposed to be a principal dancer for a prestigious ballet company. It's why I didn't give myself room to fail." I threw my hands in the air. "But, fail I did."

"Grace. You haven't failed."

"I was offered a full-time position at the San Francisco Ballet, I guess I just figured PBC would offer me the same."

"Why didn't you take the one in California, then?"

"Because I can't live by myself, but if I have a roommate, they'll be subjected to my night terrors, and that's not something I'm willing to saddle someone with." I gasped and threw my hand over my mouth. "Why the hell did I just tell you that?"

He frowned. "You still have night terrors?"

"Forget I said anything."

He closed the distance between us and laid his hands on my shoulders. "Grace, do you have night terrors every night?"

"It's not your problem."

"Hey, don't do that," he said. "I'm your friend. I'm allowed to worry about my friend."

I shook my head. "No, Mr. Nosy Pants, I don't have them every night."

He raised an eyebrow. "Mr. Nosy Pants?"

I sighed. "At the risk of pissing you off, yes."

He laughed. "God damn, you're fuckin' adorable."

Oh, god, he thinks I'm adorable. This isn't good. I need to shut him down.

"Stop, Flea. Please. This is silly." I shrugged out from his touch and headed back to the office.

"Night terrors are silly to you?" he asked, following.

"What's it to you?" I ground out.

"You won't win this, Grace."

"Win what?"

He smiled. It was Cheshire in nature and made my stomach flutter with nerves.

"Stop looking at me like that," I rasped.

Keeping his irritating smile intact, he nodded. "Okay, babe. Let's get out of here, huh?"

I narrowed my eyes. "What are you doing?"

"Well… not that it's any of your business, Miss Nosy Pants, but I'm gonna head to the compound for a couple of hours before I go home."

I forced myself not to smile. Him turning my words back on me was both funny and endearing.

"I guess we're a pair, huh?" I mused. He cocked his head and I studied him. "A couple of nosy pants."

"I guess so." He smirked. "I'm gonna lock up, then I'll walk you out."

I knew he was purposely letting me escape, but I also knew he wouldn't always. He had a way of delving into my soul that both scared and comforted me at the same time. It was weird.

I shut down the computers, secured the cash in the safe, and grabbed my purse just as Flea peeked into the office. "You ready?"

I nodded and followed him out, fishing my keys out of my bag as we walked. Flea said nothing else as he waited for me to climb into the car, then he stood sentry until I'd backed out of the parking space and headed toward the exit.