Stopping with Sam with only a look, Ashley doesn’t let her come to comfort me or to apologize, “You take another step and I’ll cut both your fucking legs off.” She calls out, “Courtney, come here please.” She gives Courtney her orders, “I’m going to check on Sara. You watch her. Do not let her move an inch.”
“Sure,” the girl answers, “but if Jesse comes through here, she’s on her damn own.”
“And she should be,” Ashley says before turning on her heel and exiting the room.
Jesse meets her in the hall with a wicked smile, “Hey, the coaches just left. Where’s Sara?”
She sighs, “You might as well come with me, she might not talk to me.”
Noticing the girl’s shaking hands, Jesse’s blood pressure jumps up a few notches, “Why?”
“I’m going to let her tell you.” They stop at the bathroom door and Ashley knocks, “Sara? Jesse and I just want to check on you, honey.”
“Why is she in there?” Jesse insists in a hushed tone, “Tell me what happened, Ashley.”
“Go away,” I sigh. I don’t want to talk to anyone. My hands are still shaking but I lie, “I’m fine. I’m just calming down.”
“Sara,” Jesse’s voice sounds shaky and tense, “please tell me what happened.” She presses her head against the door, “Please. Are you okay?”
I splash water on my face, “Jesse, I’m okay. I’ll be out in just a minute.” In all honesty, I don’t really know what I’m feeling or if I could even describe it. I know I’m supposed to be happy that my relationship with Sam is over. And I know there should probably be a bit of fear because she got way more physical with me than anyone should ever allow. But I am kind of numb. Unsure what should be going through my mind, all I can see is Jesse standing in the door with that smile on her lips and lust in her eyes. I clench my eyes closed tightly and try to stay in that moment, allowing myself to feel the excitement of knowing I’ll be with her tonight and tomorrow and every night for a long time.
Ashley asks, “Should I ask her to leave?’
“Who?” Jesse asks, “Who are you going to ask to leave?”
“No,” I answer, “I’m fine.”
“Are you going to do anything about it?” Ashley’s voice sounds strained and impatient, “Please tell me you’re going to do something about it. Because if you don’t, I’m telling Jesse and she’ll do something about it for sure.”
“I don’t care if you tell Jesse,” I reply. I know she’s going to get mad as hell and I know she will probably say something brash, but this is a fight I can’t take care of on my own right now.
Jesse turns to Ashley, “Tell me. Now.” Her tone has an edge to it that’s almost frightening.
“She and Sam had an argument because Sara said she’d dance with you. Sam pulled some masculine ego shit about how she should have told you no. Her reasoning was that Sara belongs to her and, therefore, she can control who Sara dances with.” She sighs and shakes her head, “Well you and I both know Sara belongs to no one. When she turned to walk away, Sam grabbed her arm…hard.” Her jaw clenches and her bottom lip trembles just a bit, “I just knew Sam was going to hurt her, Jesse. Sara looked so scared and so small. If I hadn’t stepped in…” her voice trails off, but she doesn’t need to finish. The tears in her eyes tell Jesse all she needs to know.
“Where is she now?”
Ashley answers honestly, “I left her with Courtney in the ballroom.”
Jesse’s voice doesn’t sound human when she points at the door, “Make sure she stays in there.” She takes her cell out of her pocket, “Take this. If anything happens, my parents’ number is in there. You’ll need to call them from my phone so they’ll answer. Tell them everything, no matter how hard it is to say or how bad it seems to be. They can take it.” She takes her fedora off and puts it on Ashley’s head, “Hold on to this for me until I get back.” She turns on her heel and walks away.
“Where are you going,” Ashley calls after her but receives no answer.
Jesse, heart pounding in her ears, anger tinting everything red, and voice deep and guttural, enters the ballroom mad as hell. As she approaches, she growls at Sam, “I am going to kill you.”
