Orlando, Florida
Studio 3pm

It had been close to two hours since they’d registered and she was starting to get antsy. At first she hadn’t wanted to come but now that she was there, she was beginning to get excited. Auditions always tended to cause excitement to rush through her. She loved getting in front of that large wall mirror, surrounded by fifty other dancers and being instructed on what to do.

She loved teaching people to dance and it was one of her passions but she couldn’t deny the fact that she loved being taught new things as well. She was content with being another face on a stage as long as she got to dance. She was ready for whatever Marty threw her way, that was if and when he decided to let people in.

Marty came out to inform the group of two hundred dancers that it would be a few minutes until they would let the first twenty-five in. That had been half an hour before. Glancing at her cell phone for the time she let out a frustrated growl.

“Anxious?”

“Like you aren’t, Shane.” She grumbled.

“Oh I see we’re back to being a bitch.”

“I never stopped.” She said with a roll of her eyes. “Where’s Melissa?” she asked. She couldn’t help but grin when Shane literally shivered at the mention of the name. Melissa had a crush on Shane for what seemed like forever. She’d asked Kayla if she could trade numbers with her so that she could be in the same group as Shane. Kayla had seen the opportunity for revenge against Shane. Making Melissa number three and Kayla taking twenty-six.

“Oh God, she finally received a phone call on that damn cell phone she was seductively sucking the antenna of.’ Shane said. “She’s annoying.”

“She likes you.” Kayla giggled.

“Eww, no. And don’t think you’re getting away with switching numbers. I’m just letting it go for now because this day can in no way be ruined for me. Planning your demise won’t be fun.”

“Whatever. You made me come here. Now we’re even.” Kayla shrugged. “Besides, Melissa is a nice girl.”

‘Yeah in a psycho kind of way. She just doesn’t get it.”

“Well when someone looks the way you do it’s hard to believe that you’d much rather date her brother.”

“He is cuter.” Shane said giving that sexy laugh that women dropped their underwear for.

“Well I have to agree on that.” She said with a laugh. “Marty needs to do better than this. He came out more than half and hour ago and we’ll still here.”

“I’m surprised you even saw him, hiding behind that crowd.” Shane said pointing to the crowd of people behind him. “Don’t think I didn’t see that.”

“I didn’t want to talk to him before the auditions. What are you my bodyguard? Obviously Melissa didn’t suck on that antenna too good cause it didn’t distract you enough.”

“I’m never distracted enough to loose you, Kayla.”

‘That was kind of heartfelt, Shane. I’m touched.” She said wiping fake tears.

“You’re such a girl, Kay.” He said putting his arm around her shoulder.

“And you’re not?” she asked with a raised brow.

“You know I only act like that with you. You know I’m a man’s man with everyone else.”

“I know but…” she stopped talking when she heard the doors open and Marty stepped out.

“First twenty-five people. Let’s go!!” Marty said through the bullhorn he was so fond of.

“Off you go, Macho Man.’ She said to Shane who was suddenly sweating. “Relax, Shane.” She whispered when he looked down at her with a nervous smile.

“Give me another one.’ Shane said grabbing her up in the air before she gave him a kiss.

“Now go.” She said as he set her back down on the ground.

“Well if it isn’t Will and Grace.”

“Hey big shot!!” Kayla said turning to find Marty eyeing her down. Shane gave Marty a stern look about his line of vision before shaking his hand.

“I missed ya this morning.” Marty said to Kayla before turning to Shane. “You trying out today, Shane?”

“Yeah.” Shane said grabbing his towel from the bench they’d been sitting on. “Your brother isn’t here, is he?”

“Not that I know of, but then again how would I know. You see him more than I do.”

“Oh please, he wishes.” Shane said following the group of dancers inside after kissing Kayla’s forehead and wishing her luck. “Make sure you tell him that, too.”

“I’ll be sure to.” Marty laughed lightly. “you coming?” he asked Kayla, who’d taken her seat again.

“It’s not my turn yet.” She said pointing to the number twenty-six on her hip. “Gotta follow the rules.”

“And since when do you follow the rules?”

“I always follow the rules, Marty.” She said with a sarcastic roll of her eyes.

“Come on.” Marty said extending his hand out to her.

“I don’t really want to get killed by anyone if I cut in line, Marty.” She said in a whisper.

“You have balls bigger than any guy out here, Kayla. You can take them. Come on.” Marty laughed grabbing her by the wrist and pulling her with him past the dancers at the door and inside the building. “Let’s dance, Kayla.”

“Alright, but I’m sending you the hospital bill.” She chuckled.

“Hey!!” a blond girl she’d seen at auditions before stepped in front of her. “One through twenty-five, hunny.”

“What’s that? The amount of STD’s you have from the American Health Association list?”

“Whatever, Bitch!! I was just letting you know, that incase you didn’t hear correctly, only twenty-five people go in at a time.”

“That’s right.” Marty said from behind the dancer. “That’s why you are now, twenty-six and Kayla here is now eleven.” He said as he ripped the numbers from each of the women’s hips and interchanged them before either could protest.

“What? You can’t do that.” The girl whined.

“I can and I did.” Marty said with a grin. “Now go wait outside with the others. You should know by now that I don’t tolerate bickering at my auditions. You’ve tried out enough times.” Marty said extending his hand out to Kayla again. “Besides, no one calls Kayla a bitch and lives to tell about it. So I just saved your ass. Now you don’t have to be in the same room.”

“Ahh poor baby.” Kayla said as the girl stomped her way out. “Being a bitch does have its perks.”

“You’re too much.” Marty said with a laugh as he led Kayla ahead of everyone else in line.

“I know this, Marty.” Kayla said before grabbing Shane by his shirt and bringing him with her.

“Please be sure to stretch. You have five minutes and then we’ll start.” Marty said leaving Kayla’s side.

Kayla and Shane followed the other dancers into the studio. Kayla looked around the room and realized that they were in the room with the two way mirror. She’d been to that particular studio plenty of times to know that behind the mirror was whoever the auditions were for.

Although she knew for a fact that people were watching it still unnerved her. She knew there were probably twenty people behind the mirror but she couldn’t help but feel only one set of eyes on her. At first, that fact made her want to leave the room but she hadn’t been the coward. So why should she? He’d been the one. And call her crazy or not, she knew Juan was behind that mirror. Watching her.

It was starting to irritate her that while she couldn’t see him, he could clearly see her. When she was irritated she did crazy things.

Like walking up to the mirror and slamming her middle finger against it, three minutes later.

“Kayla!!” Shane gasp from where he sat on the floor stretching.

“What?” she asked nonchalantly as she placed her leg on his shoulder and continued stretching.

“You did not just do that.” Shane said helping her stretch her leg. His hands massaging her all the way to the underside of her butt.

“I did.’ Kayla said switching legs on his shoulder. “He’s in there, Shane.”

“So you gave everyone in there the finger?”

“Not everyone. Just him.”

“And everyone in there is supposed to know that? I’m surprised they haven’t kicked you out.”

“Relax, Shane. He knows it was meant for him. Justin won’t be offended if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“Shhh, Kayla. We aren’t supposed to know that.” He shushed her.

“Oh whatever. Ready?” she asked straddling him and wrapping her arms around his neck.

“Yeah, go ahead.” He said after getting up while she was holding on to him. He lifted her small frame up above his, making her body perfectly horizontal to his as she stretched up in the air. Shane didn’t seem phased by her weight as he lifted his head to look into her eyes. He let her come down a bit only enough so that his lips met hers as she looked down at him. “Go.” He said before she pushed off his shoulders, doing a flip and landing on her feet in front of him causing everyone to applaud.

It had been a tradition that when they ended up doing an audition together, if they got through that lift and the flip, the audition would be a breeze.

‘I’m kind of disappointed that I won’t see him.” Shane whispered after the clapping subsided.

“Believe me, Shane. You’ll get to see him, when you make it.” Kayla reassured him although she knew the chances of them making the cut were slim to none. But she was his best friend and best friends reassured each other if needed be.

“If you say so, Kay.” Shane said as he tried to ignore the blatant come hither looks from Melissa across the room.

“Let’s get this thing rollin’ people” Marty said as he stepped in front of the room, his back toward the mirror. “Seven counts of eight. That’s it. Not hard at all.”

“Easy for you to say, you choreographed it.” Kevin, a dancer, said from the back of the room causing everyone to stir with laughter.

“Try to keep up, Kevin.” Marty joked causing the whistling and laughter to become a bit louder. “Hey, Kayla, Move up front.”

“Why?” she asked from the back of the room.

“Can’t see you back there.” Marty said “Come on, Shorty.”

“Being a well-known choreographer hasn’t made you loose your comedic touch, I see.” Kayla said walking up to the first row of people.

‘There’s nothing funny about you, Babe. Believe me.” Marty said roaming his eyes over her sport’s bra and extra low running pants.

“Keep your eyes where I can see them, Marty.” Shane said from the third row causing everyone to laugh.

“Relax Will, I was only joking with Grace here. Let’s go.” Marty said. “One, two, three, four, five, six, seven and eight.” He said doing the first set of counts. Everyone paid close attention to Marty as he showed them the steps.

Kayla was in her element. This was what she loved to do. She could feel the tension of the day release by the time the third count of eight was introduced. She felt completely relaxed. She managed to ignore the fact that behind the mirror, people were watching. Almost.

Behind the mirror things weren’t so relaxed.

“Will you stop walking in front of that glass? You’re blocking the view and giving me a headache.” Juls snapped annoyed.

“Sorry.’ Trace said walking back to the corner of the room.

“Someone’s jealous.” Juls cooed from her seat next to Justin.

“Shut up, Juls.” Trace said giving her the finger.

“I’m guessing she learned that from you.” Juls said pointing to Kayla on the other side of the glass. “Her boyfriend, sure is fine.” She said only to receive a pinch on her thigh from Justin. “Oww”

“Leave him alone, Juls.” Justin said sternly.

“He owes me.” She said giving Trace an evil smile. When Justin’s cold water attempt hadn’t worked, he’d yanked her inside the room. Right when she was going to help her husband out with his problem, Trace, her wonderful, bad timing, brother-in-law, had knocked on the door. He was going to pay for that, one way or another. “Look at him, Missy. Isn’t he gorgeous?” she asked one of Marty’s assistants.

“That’s Shane Woods and he’s definitely not bad on the eyes.” She said with a chuckle.

“See, Trace. Even Missy thinks Kayla’s boyfriend is hot.” She said facing the glass again.

“Leave him alone, J. I’m serious.” Justin repeated before looking behind him at Trace. He was looking straight ahead with a look of almost pain across his face. He’d never seen his friend that way, at least he hadn’t in a long time. Not since the whole ordeal with Jenny.

“I need to go find a fax machine.” Trace suddenly said leaving the room and slamming the door loudly as he did so.

“Now you pissed him off.” Justin said to his wife.

“Oh, whatever. He’s not pissed at me as much as he’s pissed at himself right now. He should have called her.”

“Just leave him alone.” He warned.

“Or what?”

“Or we’re going home tonight.”

“Oh you don’t scare me. Besides I already heard you talking to the pilot. We aren’t going anywhere.”

“Just leave him alone, Juls. Please.”

“I will, I was just trying to get a reaction out of him instead of having him pacing the room all freakin day.”

“He likes her.” Justin said as he watched Marty give the dancers their last count of eight.

“I know.” Juls said pointing at a girl across the glass. “You know I could of sworn that girl just flashed her boob at us.”

“She did.” Chris chuckled. “that’s the third time.”

“Is that why you’ve been so quiet and focused?”

“Yup.” He laughed.

“You’re nasty, I’m telling Dani!!”

Down the hall in office(one hour later) 4pm

Trace wanted to take the fax machine and throw it against the wall. He wasn’t about to embarrass his friend by having part of his entourage wreck a room. He decided against damaging private property instead balling up the manila envelope in his hand.

He was upset to say the least. He really couldn’t believe that he was feeling that way and it angered him even more, if possible.

He kept telling himself that she had been the one not worthy of his trust. She had apparently had a boyfriend the whole time she’d been seeing him. That guy had to be her long time boyfriend because the connection he saw between them wasn’t anything new. They seemed like they’ve been together for a long time. He couldn’t really blame her, she’d played a good game. He’d been her ticket to stardom, so to speak. How else would she had gotten to where she was now? She was auditioning, and no doubt making it, to dance with Justin Timberlake, it was huge. What every woman wanted. At least every woman in Trace Ayala’s world.

He was beginning to dislike the connection between the two. He was really starting to hate the ‘Justin Timberlake phenomenon’ all together. Maybe it was time to let go, move on and start a life that didn’t revolve around Justin Timberlake.

When the machine finished spitting out the blueprint copies he put them in the wrinkled manila envelop and walked out of the office. When he passed the glass doors, where the auditions were being held, he noticed that the first group had finished. Everyone was filtering out of the room, some actually rubbing their sore muscles.

She caught his attention right away but only after hearing her giggle as her boyfriend lifted her up in a piggyback ride. He leaned against the wall, opposite the door. He could at least say hello. He was pretty sure she knew he was in the building. The finger she had directed into the glass about an hour before should have clued him in to the fact. Casually he waited until everyone in the room cleared out leaving, Kayla, her boyfriend who he knew now was named Shane and Marty. Marty walked out first and walked toward the room where Justin and everyone else were in.

Neither Shane nor Kayla noticed Trace against the wall, one leg up against it.

“I’m really starting to believe that it is really a small world after all.” Trace said as they came out of the room.

“Trace, right?” Shane said gently bending at the knees so that Kayla could hop off, and extending his hand out to the shorter man.

“Yeah.” Trace said shaking Shane’s hand as he gave Kayla a blank stare. “How did you know who I was?”

“I just recognize you from pictures. And I know who the auditions are for.” Shane said politely and not sounding over ecstatic like Kayla knew he felt. Kayla was silently cursing herself for not telling Shane that Juan and Trace were one and the same. But she hadn’t and she was sure she would hear about it later.

“I see.” Trace said still eyeing Kayla. “How have you been?” he asked her.

“Fine.” she said with a roll of her eyes. She’d wanted to get out of there as soon as she saw him, as he stood there nonchalantly looking incredibly adorable, all she kept thinking was how hard she wanted to punch him in the face.

“I can see that.” He said eyeing her from head to toe.

“Am I missing something?” Shane asked annoyed with the man and his traveling eyes.

“Shane this is…” Kayla started to say but was stopped when Trace spoke up, realizing that the boyfriend didn’t have a clue as to who he really was.

“Maybe I should introduce myself better, SHANE.” Trace said angrily. “I’m Juan. You know the guy who your girlfriend cheated on you with.”

The door that Marty had entered opened at that moment causing the three to turn their eyes to the door. Juliana came out, cell phone in hand talking to someone whom she seemed to be annoyed with. She didn’t see them as she slowly walked the opposite direction.

“Where are you going, Juls?” Trace asked loudly.

“Wow.” Shane said rather loudly causing Kayla to smack him in the chest. Trace looked at Shane, rolled his eyes and focused his attention on Juls.

Juliana had turned at Trace’s voice, she waved a hand and continued her conversation as she walked toward them.

“Yes, I know I signed the contract and…” she listened intently to the person on the other end as she stood in front of them. “Well call me later, no, I’m in Orlando. Yeah. No. Whatever. Goodbye.” She huffed flipping the device off. “I was just coming to find you. J, needs you for something.” She said to Trace.

“Right.” Trace said walking away from them without another word.

“Nice to see you again, Kayla. Nice job in there.” Juls said and Kayla didn’t miss the negative tone she used. She couldn’t believe the attitude of thee people. Juan was acting as if she owed him some kind of explanation and now Juliana Moore had something against her.

“Nice to see you too and thank you.” Kayla said with a weak smile. “How is everything?”

“Everything is just peachy.” Juls said with a smile. “Who’s your friend?” she asked smiling at the man standing next to Kayla.  Although Juls had said he was gorgeous, the fact didn’t change that she didn’t like him. Not only because his girlfriend had led Trace on but also because he kept staring at her like a piece of meat. In front of his girlfriend at that. Trace wouldn’t have done that but she guessed Kayla preferred men who drooled over other women in her presence.

‘I’m sorry, this is Shane.” Kayla said elbowing Shane who she noticed was frozen in place. She knew that seeing Juliana up close like they were, was a dream to Shane. But all she wanted to do was throw up at the sight of him basically drooling in front of her. Made her wonder just how gay he really was. “Shane this is Juliana Moore.”

“It’s a pleasure, Ms. Moore.” Shane finally extended his hand out to her.

“It’s Timberlake and I’m sure.” Juls said shaking his hand briefly. “I have to go help Trace with the first selections.”

“Juan is picking the dancers?” Kayla asked before she could stop herself.

“Yup. Good luck.” Juls said with a fake smile toward Kayla before walking toward the door.

“Have I mentioned that I hate her.?” Shane said when the door closed behind Juliana.

“REALLY?! Is that so?” Kayla said looking up at him. “Because I was about to lend you my towel so that you can wipe all that fucking drool off you shirt!!” Kayla said loudly before turning and walking toward the exit doors.

“Don’t you dare get a god damn attitude with me, Ms. Liar Liar pants on fucking fire.” Shane said catching up with her.

“Don’t start with that shit again, Shane.”

“When were you going to tell me that Juan is Trace Ayala?” Shane asked with a huff. “Or weren’t you going to tell me at all? Then again I don’t seem to deserve to know anything about you because apparently I’m not important enough.”

“You are the most important person in my life, you idiot. Don’t say that.” Kayla said as they approached the bench they had been sitting at an hour earlier.

“Really? Because I’m wondering why the hell Juan or Trace or whatever referred to me as your boyfriend. You spend a week with this guy and he doesn’t know who I am? You never mentioned me once?”

“No.” she said.

“Well shit, Kayla that really hurts my feelings. You know why?”

“No, why?”

“Because you are the most important person in MY life.” Shane said looking down at her. “All jokes aside and the fact that I just met the wife of my future husband and I really want to BE her I am going to ask you again. What is going on with you?”

The statement he made about Juliana made Kayla chuckle before she looked at him.

“I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you about Juan and who he was. Or that I met Justin Timberlake and everyone else. It’s just that I felt like that was my own thing. I just thought that maybe I could do this on my own.”

“Do what, Kayla?”

“Live.”

“You’re saying that I’m keeping you from living you life?”

“Shane, please don’t make this about yourself. It’s me. Everything is me.”

“You’re worrying about being alone again, aren’t you?”

“I don’t know, Shane. It’s not so much that I feel alone it’s just that I feel overwhelmed. I feel like my life is passing me by while I try to please everyone around me. All I’ve done for the past seven years has been for everyone else. When do I get to do things for myself?”

“How long have you felt this way?”

“I don’t know, I guess this past year.” Kayla shrugged.

“When?”

“I guess, when I found myself signing up for classes at the college just so that I can have the diner. I realized that once again I was doing something for someone else.”

“Your uncle?”

“My uncle, my parents, you, everyone.”

“Me?”

“I know how badly you want to move to L.A. and I just thought that if I did everything my uncle asked me to do in regards to the diner then we could move. You would be happy.”

“Kayla I just said that because I thought you wanted to take over the diner. That’s all you’ve been talking about for the last six months.”

“You don’t want to move?”

“I’m not going to lie and say that it wouldn’t be great to move to L.A. But not if you aren’t going with me.”

“So you won’t be disappointed?”

“That’s your problem, right there, Kay. You worry too much about what other people think. I’ve told you this time and time again. You need to start doing things for yourself. Screw what your uncle says. Stop worrying about what your parents would think because they aren’t here anymore. I assure you they couldn’t be prouder of you, you’ve grown up to be a very good person. Don’t let people guide your life for you. You set the rules. Not your uncle. Not your parents. You do.”

“Not even you?”

“Not even me, Kay. I love you and as cheesy as it sounds. I’m happy if you’re happy. And I know that you have a picture of what you want that diner to be in your head. Don’t let anyone erase it for you.”

“I do want to take over the diner.” Kayla said after a few minutes of watching the crowd of people around them.

“Okay.”

“But I want to do it my way.”

“Then do that, Kayla. I know you can. You just have to stop worrying that your uncle won’t approve.”

“What if he doesn’t, Shane?”

“Then so what? It’s your place, Kayla. Your money.”

“What if I screw it up?”

“So what if you do? What if you don’t? Nothing is guaranteed in life, Kay.” Shane said caressing her hair. “It’s your quest to conquer,  no one else’s.”

“I’m not sure I can do it. Look  at how things turned out with Juan. For once I tried something new, for myself. I tried to open up to someone on a personal level. And what happens? I screw it up.”

“You didn’t screw anything up, Kayla. He did.”

‘I don’t mean him. I mean now, because I was only thinking of myself when I met him, you won’t get your chance.”

“My chance?”

“Your chance to dance for Justin Timberlake, your future husband, remember? Juan is making the cuts.”

“So?”

“So, he’s not going to pick you because he apparently thinks I owe HIM something. That jerk. Now do you see why I can’t go out and do things for myself?”

“You definitely have issues, Kayla. Don’t worry about me so much. I’ll live. Besides I don’t think Juan is going to cut you. You’re going to make it and then THAT will make me happy.”

“Yeah right. He’s an asshole. He’ll cut us both.”

“He might be an asshole but a jealous asshole. He won’t cut you, believe me.”

“You don’t know him, Shane. He told me himself that he was an asshole. He’ll cut us both.”

“Oh I know for a fact that he’ll cut me. That’s for sure. But judging by the way he was looking at you, he’s had a change of heart.”

“About what? Me? I doubt it, Shane. And even if he had a change of heart, like you so nicely put it, I couldn’t care less cause it was a waste of my time and I’m going to knock it to bad judgment on my part. But hey I got to meet Justin Timberlake before you did.” She joked.

“Oh whatever. Trust me though, I know what he’s thinking. I’m a guy.”

“But he’s a straight guy and you’re not.” She smirked.

“I’m still a guy, Kayla.”

“It doesn’t matter. He’s a prick and only hides behind Justin Timberlake so that he doesn’t have to deal with the real world.”

“ Ouch, harsh!! I’m going to take a wild guess and say that YOU are the real world. That’s a clever way of portraying your feeling, Kay.”

“Have you been listening to ANYTHING that I’ve said regarding him? The only feeling I have for him is pity.” Who did he think he was trying to humiliate her? She was on the verge of kicking his ass if Juliana hadn’t saved his ass. How he thought that he could somehow be mad at her was beyond her because if anyone was allowed to be mad it was her, and she definitely was. He’d been the one that hadn’t called when he said he would. She definitely should have punched him.

“Oh I think you’re only lying to yourself, Kay. You certainly aren’t fooling me.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You like him.”

“How many times do I have to tell you that it was nothing?”

“I guess as many times as it takes to convince yourself.” Shane shrugged. “He likes you too, you know.”

“Thanks, Cupid, but I beg to differ.” Kayla said grabbing her keys from his pocket. “Let’s go get something to drink at the store.”

“I’m driving.” He said snatching the keys.

“You know, just because I let you take the car to Ohio doesn’t mean it’s yours.” Kayla said shoving him as they walked toward the parking lot.

“Just because I let you take the car to Ohio doesn’t mean it’s yours.” Shane mocked putting his arm around her.

“Hey, Kayla!!” Someone called from behind them causing both Kayla and Shane to turn. Marty stood at the door waving for them to come closer.

“What’s up?” Kayla asked approaching him.

“Come inside, you’re in.” Marty said.

“The auditions aren’t over, Marty. Quit bullshittin me.” Kayla said with a roll of her eyes.

“No bullshit.” Marty said looking through his clipboard. “You too, Will.”

“Me too, what?” Shane asked wiping his forehead with the bottom of his t-shirt.

“You’re in. Go in the observation room next to the studio.”

“Why?” Kayla asked.

“That’s where I’m sending the top ten.” Marty said as if it wasn’t obvious. “Hey Kevin!! Come inside!!” he yelled over them when he spotted Kevin.

“Since when do you pick before seeing everyone?” Shane asked.

“I didn’t. The artist did. He can’t stay all day.” Marty said “Go in the door right after the studio.” He told Kevin who had approached them.

“So how many people are going in right now?” Kayla asked still in shock.

“Five. Have you seen Melissa? She’s number four.” Marty asked scanning the crowd.

“She’s at the other end.” Shane offered.

“Alright, thanks. What about Blair?”

“Jenkins?” Kayla asked.

“Yeah.”

“He’s over there with Melissa too.” Kayla said.

“You two better go in there before I let the next fifty in.” Marty said walking taking a few steps away from them.

“What happened to twenty-five at a time?” Shane asked.

“Timberlake is in a hurry to get home for some reason.” Marty simply stated.

“Don’t panic now, Marty but you just told us who the auditions were for. You broke your own rule.”

“I saw you outside the door this morning, Kayla. So you already knew who they were for.” Marty said with a smirk. “Go inside and mingle.”

“Thanks, Marty.” Shane said.

“Don’t thank me, man. I didn’t pick you.” He laughed “Congrats though, to both of you.”  Marty turned the bullhorn toward them. “GO INSIDE!!” he said loudly through it.

“I’ll get you for that.” Kayla warned as Shane pulled her into the building.

“Come on, Kayla. Let’s mingle.” Shane almost giggled like a girl as he pulled the door open to the observation room.

“I don’t mingle.”

“Try, Kayla. I think I’m going to go introduce myself.” Shane said as they entered the room. Shane made a beeline toward Justin who was off in the corner of the room with his wife talking to Kevin.

“Oh God help me.” She mumbled as she leaned against the wall, closing her eyes.

“God isn’t going to help you now.” She opened her eyes to find Trace next to her, leaning against the same wall. “Welcome to my world, Kayla. Congratulations, you have succeeded.” He whispered close to her ear not caring that her boyfriend was in the same room.

“Fuck you.” She sneered.

“You wanted just that, that night I last saw you, huh? For me to fuck you?” he kept his voice low and calm as his senses worked on overload. She smelled good and he couldn’t deny that she did look incredibly sexy in her sports bra and low pants. He wanted nothing more than to kiss her. “I should have, then maybe I would of saved you the trouble of actually auditioning. I should have so that my decision to pick you today wouldn’t have been based on your actual ability to dance.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.” Kayla said looking straight ahead. She could feel his breath on her neck and she’d be lying if she said it didn’t affect her.

“I don’t?” he asked not moving from his position.

‘You have a lot of nerve acting as if I’m the one that led you on. I should have known better than to believe you weren’t a prick like I thought you were when I met you.”

“Excuses. Excuses. That’s what you were doing though, Kayla. Leading me to believe you weren’t interested in Justin. Oh and let me not forget to congratulate you on having a boyfriend while you schemed, nice touch.”

“You really have to idea.”

“I think I do.”

“No actually you don’t, Asshole.” Kayla said between clenched teeth before standing in front of him.

“I see we’re back to calling me names, Princess.” Trace said moving closer to her and then without thinking he softly brushed his lips over hers. “Enjoy your time with Justin.” He said before walking out of the room not giving her a chance to say anything.

Or kick his ass, which was what she wanted to do at that moment.