Un-Break my Heart: Book 2 (The Heart Trilogy) (36 page)

“Party is going on forever, I’ll call you later honey but thanks for the picture its great and I’d really rather be with you”

“Miss you too babe, ring me whenever it’s Saturday tomorrow and I have no plans. The bed is too big without you. Love your Lucky Star x”

The guilt rolled over her in waves as she tried to sleep but every time she closed her eyes all she could feel was the current rolling her around, making her dizzy. In the end she got up and headed downstairs to the kitchen for a glass of water. Two pints later she realised that the waves had lessened into ripples.

Noticing a light shining from the doorway into the studio she opened the door and realised that she had forgotten to turn it off earlier. The cool wood of the floor passed into her toes and travelled up her body. All around her was the reflection of herself in the many mirrors. Slipping the gown off her body she closed her eyes and remembered the night she had found Mitchell dancing alone. She had fitted her body into his, moving as one to the music. The tune filled her head now as she closed her eyes and drifted upwards to the higher plane that dancing transported her too. In it she found Mitch and his ghost filled the empty space beside her.

Crawling into his hotel room bed, Mitchell felt a sudden cool tingle in his toes. It moved like icy fingertips up his lower legs and thighs. Opening his phone he stared at the picture of Charlie, closing his eyes he imagined her dancing naked in the studio at home, dancing to one of their special tunes. God he missed her so much, he had picked up the worry in her tone when they had chatted earlier and she knew he was going to a party. Yes there had been a number of girls who had spoken to him, but they all paled in comparison to her bright light. It was no good he needed to talk to her, and if possible see her.

Pulling out his phone he pressed and waited. Charlie had just returned to her room when her phone rang. She answered immediately and lay snuggled under the duvet as they talked and talked. He smiled at the sight of her covered body and she grinned as he lay naked and resplendent before her.

“Were you dancing in the studio earlier” he asked.

“Yes, how did you guess?”

“I felt the cold in my toes and it reminded me”

“Of the time we both danced together” they both said at once.

“Only another fortnight and you’ll be over here with me” Mitch sighed.

“Yeah, I can’t wait to run into your arms” she breathed.

“And I’ll be there to catch you” he whispered, stifling a yawn.

“You’re tired and so am I so shall we talk again later”

Charlie nodded and yawned too “I love you Mitchell”

“I love you too Charlie” he said, blowing her kisses as the screen went black.

Chapter 47

Charlie overslept and it was only a tapping on her door that woke her

“Morning sleeping beauty, I bought you a coffee” Shelley said.

“Thanks, I’ll be down in a minute”

“Did Mitchell call you in the night” she asked.

“Yeah and everything’s cool” Charlie said, smiling. Together over breakfast Charlie wondered whether to say anything about last night but as Shelley didn’t she let it slide. It must have been a one off, that curious adrenaline rush from dancing together. Kyle pulled into the driveway at noon to pick Shelley up.

“Speak Sunday” Shelley said pulling her close “I’ll give Zack a call and sort out a practise time for us” Then in her usual flamboyant style she air kissed her cheek and got into the awaiting car.

Charlie watched long enough to see her reach across and plant a long kiss on Kyle’s waiting lips, before he pulled out of the driveway. Back in the house she pulled on her long cardigan and then stepped though the patio doors and headed for the light and warmth of Pam and Peter’s. Jester barked her arrival and she was soon munching on a sandwich and listening to the rustle of the newspaper as Peter read in his chair and Pam bustled around. She loved her new family and couldn’t wait for her Mum and James to return home tomorrow. Shit, tomorrow night…she had time to think of a good story for then.

After walking Jester in the park, in the pouring rain, she showered and changed so she could have another practice. Just hearing the tune made her mind slip back to the previous night and everything that had happened. In the end she put the Dirty Dancing soundtrack on and found solace in Hungry Eyes and the other tracks as her body moved. Her muscles pulled and pushed her feet along, releasing endorphins that calmed. It was early evening when she walked through the kitchen and noticed the oven light on. Pam must have been in and left her a bowl of stew warming there for her. Realising how hungry she was she sat down and immediately tucked in before clearing up and heading for the shower.

She had a plan to excite Mitchell, with her phone turned to video mode she wedged it onto the window sill and stepped under the warm spray. Letting the shower head do the work she enjoyed the post orgasmic glow on her skin as she wrapped the towel around her. She surveyed the footage and then clicked send on her email and waited. Lying in bed later her phone beeped and Mitchell was there at the other end.

“So the vibrator I bought you is not enough then?” he asked, amused.

“Variety is the spice and I need it without you here” she countered. Mitch told her about the shows and Charlie talked about college and Shelley, yet still she hesitated in telling him about the Burlesque. She reasoned that once the first session was out of the way she would decide if she wanted to continue or not and that would be the time.

Charlie could hear shouts in the background.

“That’s the final call for getting backstage so I’d better go” he said“I love you baby…only 2 weeks until I see you again”

“I know I’m counting and I love you loads too” She could feel the sad tug of his departure reaching deep inside her. She wanted to cry out and beg him to stay on the line for just a little longer, but she held it in. Then as usual the tears slowly trickled down her cheek, pooling on the pillow that held her head. Charlie was wearing one of Mitchell’s t-shirts in bed; the heart necklace glinted in the soft moonlight that bathed the bedside table. Jester turned over and whimpered in his sleep and the sound soothed her.

The next morning she left a note for her Mum on the kitchen table and then headed out to catch the bus. Her extra bag held the costume for the evening and inside her stomach the butterflies had already started to wake up and tickle her nerves. Shelley was waiting at the lockers for her and grinned at the sight of the extra bag.

“Are you excited about tonight” she asked.

“Nervous” Charlie replied.

“We’ll be fine, we’re going to wow those crowds and Zack will give us another date then” she giggled, linking her arm through Charlie’s. Their day passed really quickly and soon Charlie was heading back to the flat that Shelley shared with Kyle.

It was only small, a lounge, bedroom, kitchen and bathroom but Charlie admired the vivid art work that adorned the plain white walls.

“This is great, it must be wonderful to not have any parents around” Charlie said.

“Yeah, most of the time, but you’re lucky that you head home and someone is there for you if you need them” she replied.

“But you have Kyle” Charlie said “Talking of which where is he”

“Out with the boys this evening but they’re all coming to the club under my strict instructions then he’ll get a surprise”

“Are you sure I’m not going to cramp your style by staying…I can always go home”

“It will be fine; I’ll pull the sofa bed out for you now so we just need to stagger in later”

Charlie hardly ate any of the pasta that Shelley had prepared and then as usual she threw the rest of it up in the bathroom before they left. In the cab Shelley reached for her hand

“Do you always get this nervous?”

Charlie nodded and shut her eyes for a second to see an image of Mitchell there. He was smiling at her and she smiled back before he evaporated. Outside the club the bouncer was waiting for them at the side door and let them in. The quiet atmosphere jarred as they walked past the bar and Zack appeared from his office.

“Hi Girls, can’t wait to see your performance later” he said. He showed them into the changing room and left them too it.

A few moments later Claire appeared through the doorway.

“Hi Shelley
,
Charlott
e
are you ready for tonight”

“Oh yeah”Shelley replied “Can’t wait”

Charlott
e
nodded and turned back to the mirror as she studied her reflection. Her green eyes shone against the pale worry on her skin as she pulled out her make up bag. Claire sat down beside her and started to do the same.

“I get nervous too” Claire said “But just use it to make the performance even better”

“Charlie is missing her boyfriend at the moment” Shelley said, her reflection appeared in the mirror.

“Shelley is lucky her boyfriend will be here later to watch” Charlie responded. Claire grinned “My hubby loves me doing this and never misses a performance”

Charlott
e
watched as she quickly changed into the same school girl costume that they had last seen her in.

“So what are you dancing to” she asked.

“I kissed a girl by Katy Perry” Shelley replied as she casually slipped out of her clothes. Charlie snuck a glance in her direction and remembered the last time she had seen Shelley naked. A little extra blusher concealed her own feelings of embarrassment at the thought of what they had done the other night.

“I’ll look forward to watching you both later” Claire said “I’m just going to have a quick chat with Zack and I’ll be back to let you know that it’s your turn” Charlie felt her mouth go dry at the thought of what they were about to do as she heard sounds of music and people in the brief instance the door opened and closed.

Removing her clothes she struggled to secure the hearts so Shelley came over.

“Let me help you” she said, planting a kiss on her lips without asking. As her fingers brushed over Charlie’s nipples she couldn’t help but feel the desire sharpen her senses.

“There you go” she replied, standing back to admire her work “You look good enough to eat”

“You too” Charlie replied before finishing her hair and make up “How long until we go on” she asked. Shelley opened the door and peeped out to listen to the music.

“Not for a while” she replied and pulled her phone out “I’m just going to text Kyle and see if he’s arrived yet”

Charlott
e
pulled her phone out and quickly sent Mitchell a text wishing him luck for the next show and telling him she would be around for playtime tomorrow. Then she flicked through her photos and found her favourite one of Mitch which always made her smile.

“Are you decent” a male voice asked, from behind the door

“Yes” Shelley replied as Zack poked his head around.

“Just wanted to check you were both ok” he said, as a waitress followed him in with a tray and a couple of drinks.

“I bought you some orange juice but if you go down well they’ll be champagne later” he declared, his eyes drinking in their outfits and pigtails.

“Thanks Zack that’s great” Shelley replied.

“Are you o
k
Charlotte” Zack asked, walking over and placing his hand on her shoulder.

“Yes, I just always get nervous before I perform” she murmured.

Zack nodded and smiled before he headed back out into the heady atmosphere of his club, testosterone permeated the air of expectation. He quickly checked the bar, then the stage and finally headed into his office to check the cameras were working. He had already enjoyed watching them undress, especially when Shelley had kisse
d
Charlott
e
directly on the lips.

Keith had been followin
g
Charlott
e
for the past week as he really didn’t think that Felicity would have wanted to pay his flight t
o
Jamaic
a
to watch Stephanie and James. Having seen the advertising poster outside he knew that this was the place to be, he just needed to take some photos without being noticed. Over his pint at the bar he realised that there were numerous security cameras around and he formulated his cunning plan.

To raucous applause and wolf whistles Claire left the stage shielded by the club security guards and burst into the changing room.

“The crowd is amazing” she enthused “Lisa’s on at the moment and then it’s your turn” Shelley and Charlotte exchanged glances as the nerves fluttered around inside both of them. All too soon Lisa appeared through the door and the security guards stood there waiting.

“Come on Charlie lets do this” Shelley said, grabbing Charlie’s hand.

“I’m fucking scared” Charlie muttered.

“So am I but I just know we’re going to be fantastic with your choreography”

The crowds parted to let them through and as they hit the dance floor Shelley spotted Kyle and his mates at the very front. He smiled broadly at both of them and Shelley blew him a quick kiss. Towards the back of the club Charlie could just make out Zack, lounging casually against the bar. He smiled back at her and held up his crossed fingers. Keith spotted the exchange and inched casually along the bar.

“Can I buy you a drink” he asked.

Zack did a double take and then agreed, as it was putting more money into his bank account.

“Keith Madison, manager of Exponential i
n
London
,
Pari
s
an
d
New York” he said, holding out his hand to Zack.

“Zack, I’m the owner here and I have another club i
n
Birmingham” he said.

Just then the lights dimmed before a spotlight illuminated the dance floor and with it Charlie and Shelley. The music started and Zack was awestruck along with the crowd. Not only did the dance moves look complicated and stylish they also fitted exactly with the music. The outfits played on their youthful looks and gave just the right piquancy of innocence and sexy. Keith produced his ipad and glanced across at Zack.

“I’m looking for some dancers and these two are something else, would you mind if I recorded a clip to show my business associates”

“I’ve a better idea give me a call tomorrow and I’ll email you the footage from my security camera” Zack replied, motioning to the camera directly above the dance floor.

The crowd had started to cheer and whistle as Zack looked across to find Charlie and Shelley almost undressed as the music started to fade out. He watched as Charlie sank into the splits and looked up at Shelley who leaned down to plant a final quick kiss on her lips before the song ended. Zack realised that he had been holding his breath so he let it out silently and basked in the reflected glory the applause gave him.

“They were fantastic” Keith said “I can’t wait to watch that again”

“Here’s my card, drop me an email tomorrow and I’ll send it over. But I must be going now” Zack said.

As Shelley looked up to the applause she immediately spotted Kyle heading towards her. He only got as far as the security guards so she quickly picked up her clothes and headed in that direction
.
Charlott
e
could hardly think above the chorus of “We want more, we want more” that echoed around the cavernous club. Her body felt flushed from the dancing and her heart pounded with exhilaration that dancing always bought her. She gathered her clothes and spotted Shelley in Kyle’s arms, she wished Mitch was there to do the same to her.