Free Two to Tango by Sheryl Berk Page A

Gracie!”
    â€œMe, too.” Hayden smiled, high-fiving her. “Nice job. You showed that Mandy who’s boss.”
    Rochelle saw Mandy standing with her team on the opposite side of the gym. She didn’t look happy.
One down
, she thought,
a few more to go.
    Junior Solos were up next. City Feet’s Regan did a bold Broadway-style dance number from
Anything Goes
, dressed in a sailor hat and blue sparkly leotard.
    â€œHer
arabesques
are pretty impressive,” Scarlett whispered to Rochelle.
    â€œYou’re way more talented than she is,” Rochelle assured her. “Just wait till I get this boot off. She’s no competition for either of us.”
    The Teen Solos were next, with Addisonleading the pack. She strolled onstage dressed in a black dress, pearl necklace, and sunglasses. She was Audrey Hepburn’s character in
Breakfast at Tiffany’s,
and she did a sad, haunting ballet to “Moon River.”
    â€œWow,” Bria said, watching from the wings. “She’s really amazing.”
    â€œShe’s not bad,” Liberty said with a sniff. “Where do you suppose Justine stole her from?”
    As she walked back to the wings, Addison purposely bumped into Rochelle, knocking one of her crutches out from under her.
    â€œWatch it!” Rochelle yelled, trying to steady herself.
    â€œSorry,” Addison replied. “I forgot we had a little old lady limping around backstage. It’s just not safe for you here. Maybe you should go home and take a nap.”
    Rochelle gritted her teeth. “The only ones going home are you guys . . . empty-handed,” she said. “Because the Divas are going to win every title today.”
    Addison laughed in her face. “I don’t think so. Especially when ‘Rock’ here needs a rocking chair.”
    â€œIt’s not nice to make fun of Rock,” Gracie spoke up. “She’s hurt.”
    Addison patted her on the head. “Maybe you could both go and take a nap. Babies need a lot of sleep.”
    â€œI am not a baby!” Gracie screamed.
    Hayden saw what was happening and rushed to Rochelle’s side.
    â€œIs there a problem?” he asked calmly.
    â€œShe’s being mean to me and Rock,” Gracie said, pointing an accusing finger at Addison.
    â€œAw, I forgot you had a bodyguard to fight your battles for you, Rochelle.” Addison smirked.
    â€œI don’t need anyone to fight my battles,” Rochelle countered. She hoped that didn’t hurt Hayden’s feelings, but she was not going to let this girl push her around, crutches or no crutches.
    â€œShe’s right. I’m not fighting anyone’s battles,” Hayden interrupted. “I’m just sharing a little advice.”
    â€œAdvice?” Addison laughed. “What advice could
you
possibly give me? I’ve been competing my whole life.”
    Hayden ignored her bragging. “ ‘I do not try to dance better than anyone else. I only try to dance better than myself,’ ” he said.
    Addison looked at him, puzzled.
    â€œWhat is that supposed to mean?”
    â€œIt’s a quote from Mikhail Baryshnikov, one of the greatest dancers of all time,” Hayden answered.
    â€œHayden is really smart,” Gracie whispered to Rochelle.
    â€œIt means you should stop picking on the Divas and worry about your own dancing,” he said. “Because trust me . . . you need to worry. I just heard Justine saying that was the sloppiest
chaîné
she’d ever seen.”
    Addison looked petrified. She scanned the bleachers for her dance coach. “Did she really say that? Or are you making it up?”
    Hayden grinned. He waved to no one in the bleachers. “Hey, Justine! Over here! I found Addison for you.”
    Addison took off without another nasty word.
    â€œHayden is our hero!” Gracie exclaimed.
    â€œI second that. Thanks for stomping on those Feet,” Rochelle