Chapter 37 Ally walks onto center stage looking tense. She glances out into the auditorium, trepidation written across her face. But then she finds me, and her shoulders relax. So do mine. I wink, but I don't know if she can see it. She doesn't look away from me until her music begins and she focuses on the stage beneath her as she gracefully points her toes. The spotlight hits her and seems to make her come to life as it shines and sparkles off of the glittery fabric of her leo. Ally strikes a pose to start her dance then moves her body to the cadence of the song. Penn squeezes my arm. "She's starting!" As if I hadn't noticed. Fisher rests his head on my opposite shoulder. How the hell did I end up in between these two morons? But even as I roll my eyes, a smile teases my lips. I'm glad they're here with me, that we're all supporting Ally. The four of us are feeling more and more like our own little home away from home now that I've shared more of my life with them and been more honest. I find that I don't mind allowing them in as much as I thought I would. I actually feel lighter, like I have more people to help me carry the daily burdens that I once held inside. The guys quiet as Ally's dance continues. I'm holding my breath, and I think Fisher and Penn are, as well. We all want her to do well. There are several people seated at a table in front of the stage jotting down notes as Ally dances. The music reaches a crescendo and Ally's movements pick up; she twirls impossibly fast before contorting her body in a way that I never could. She leaps across the stage, not making a sound when she lands. I watch with bated breath as she absolutely kills her routine. I can feel the emotions running through her with each movement, each arch of her back, each extension of her legs. Tears prick my eyes at the overwhelming joy of watching her. The woman I love, doing what she loves. She has more passion inside of her pinky finger than most people have in their entire being...and she's all mine. Watching her do her thing makes me even more excited to meet her parents when they visit this weekend. I can't wait to meet the people who raised such an incredibly strong woman. I've found myself wondering over the past few days if Carter and Lana Mae will like me. I really hope so-because I know my mom and dad would've loved Ally. The music finally slows, and Ally's movements grow softer, quieter-until she stops completely in the same pose her dance began with, her arms poised gracefully above her head and her toes pointed. Her chest rises and falls quickly with exertion, but there's a gleam in her eyes that tells me she knows just how good she was. That she killed it. The three of us jump out of our seats and applaud, even though no one else has applauded for anyone. Fisher whistles loudly and Penn shouts, "Hell yeah, Ally!" Her eyes search the auditorium, and when she finds me again, her face breaks into a wide, beautiful grin. She has to squint since the spotlight is still shining on her, but she waves as she exits the stage. Our raucous cheering has drawn the attention of the three people in front taking notes, and they turn to stare at us. I'm about to shush the other guys, worried our disruptiveness will be a point against Ally, but that's when I notice a man around my age sitting next to one of the older ladies, also looking our way. I hadn't seen him sitting there before, but something about him has the hair on my neck standing on end. I glance over at Penn, who's planted himself back in his seat, then Fisher, who has turned a ghostly shade of white. As my friend's eyes lock with the strange man's, his entire body goes rigid. A whispered swear comes out of Fisher's mouth, so low I barely hear it. My gaze goes from Fisher to the strange man and then back again, taking in their silent battle. The spotlight turns off as they await the next dancer, and this makes it even easier to make out the details of the man Fisher is staring at. Then it dawns on me, like a punch to the gut. I'm not sure how I know it's him, but I do...I can feel it in my bones. "That's him, isn't it?" I ask, not even recognizing my own strangled voice. Fisher's jaw tics. "Yes. That's Tyler." Tyler. I didn't know the name of Ally's attacker until now, and the sound of it coming out of Fisher's mouth fills me with a rage so white hot, I can hardly think. Penn stands to get a view of what's going on, and his focus lands on Tyler. "Who the hell is Tyler and why are we pissed at him?" He looks at me, and his eyes widen. "You look ready to commit murder." "I am." I take a small step to exit our row, head still swimming with rage, but Fisher grabs my arm to stop me, yanking me back. "Don't, Downsby." "He deserves to pay," I hiss through gritted teeth, trying to shake Fisher off me. He tightens his grip on my arm. "I know. I want to kill him, too. But if you confront him here, you might ruin Ally's chances of getting a call back." He's right. I know he's right. But I'm so angry right now I can hardly breathe. "Can someone tell me what's going on?" Penn asks, looking legitimately concerned now. "Something happened to Ally in college; it's her story to tell," Fisher says. "But that loser down there had something to do with it. He's the scum of the earth." The next dancer comes on stage and new music trickles around the room, feeling too light and happy for the mood. Tyler has the audacity to smile at Fisher before he turns back around like he doesn't have a care in the world. Little does he know the three of us would gladly rip him to shreds right now if we wouldn't get arrested for it-screw it, I'd take getting arrested. The only reason I haven't murdered him yet is that I don't want to screw up Ally's big day. "Let's find Ally, quick," I say through gritted teeth. "I don't want that asshole getting anywhere near her." Penn nods. "Yeah, let's go." We quickly find Ally backstage, celebrating her successful audition with her friend Cora from the dance studio. She seems happy and relaxed, which I'm assuming means she didn't notice Tyler sitting up front. Thank God the spotlight was in her eyes. He could've completely ruined this for Ally, and I refuse to let him take anything else from her. Ally's eyes widen when she sees me, and she flings herself into my arms. I hold her close, and she melts into me, like she's releasing all the pent-up stress she's been holding on to. She wraps her arms around my waist, hugging me with firm pressure, and it calms me enough that I briefly forget about Tyler. Then I tense, and the pit in my stomach returns at the memory that Tyler is in the same building as Ally. I need to get her out of here. I need to protect her. I'm not allowing Tyler to upset her after she slayed the routine that she's worked on day and night. She deserves to relish in how well she did. Ally pulls back and looks up at me, her smile fading. "What's wrong?" I glance at Penn and Fisher. Ally follows my line of vision, and she pulls out of my arms. "What's going on?" she asks again, her voice suddenly tense. Sliding my hand into hers, I force a smile. "Nothing. You did amazing; let's go celebrate." Fisher slides his mask of cool confidence into place. "Yeah, celebratory drinks on me!" Ally laughs. "Fisher, it's like eleven AM." "Never too early for mimosas, silly girl," he says with a stupid flourish of one hand, playing nonchalant much better than I am right now. Penn nods. "You rocked it, Ally." She glances between us curiously, knowing something is off but not pushing it. "Um, okay. Let's go for drinks, then. And thanks." Ally says goodbye to her friend, and we walk a few blocks to a local trendy brunch place with a bar, where Ally orders orange juice after she reminds us she's underage, and Fisher casts a worried look in my direction before ordering three beers for us guys. I'm not sure I even breathe until we're far away from the performing arts center. I'm quiet, which isn't necessarily unusual, but I just can't think of anything to say as I sip my beer, hand clenched tight around the bottle, which I'd love to break over Tyler's head. My mind is overwhelmed with thoughts of the man who hurt Ally. Thankfully, Penn is full of conversation. "Ally, I can't believe we get to meet the Carter Callahan tomorrow. Do you think he'd sign my butt cheek?" She snorts a laugh. "Honestly, he might." "So, you're telling me there's a chance," he teases. "Let's just say I'm excited to see you try," Ally says with a smirk, then sighs happily. The sound silences the noise inside my head. That happy sound and the smile on her face are two reasons not to tell her Tyler is in town, whatever the hell he's doing here. "I can't wait to see them," she says, snuggling into my shoulder. "They're going to love you guys, and I'm so happy I'll get to take them to one of your games." Penn smiles cheerfully. "Tell them they're in for a great show, because they'll get to witness me wiping the ice with Chad-dick Weatherby." Ally giggles. "Um, who is Chad-dick Weatherby?" As Penn launches into his backstory about his long-standing rival, Fisher catches my eye across the table and a silent agreement flows between us. We will stay silent and let her live in happiness. She never has to know Tyler was here. Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!