Page 12 of Dancing With Doubt

“Sure, yeah, I understand.” The woman looked a little miffed, but she smiled at Roxie. “I hate that some people fall through the insurance cracks, but I understand. Take care of yourself.”

“Thanks. Have a good night.” Roxie said automatically, her eyes closed as the ice pack Keily brought to her earlier worked to ease some of the pain in her head. “I think I just need a dark room and more ice.”

“Don’t fall asleep. Have someone stay with you tonight, just in case, alright?” The paramedic replied and walked off.

“Let me take you back to my place, my husband and I just moved out here with our babies. I’d like to keep an eye on you for a few hours and I’d love some company.” Keily reappeared now that she’d given her own account of the incident. The other ladies were outside with the police, giving their own statements. “I asked if I can take you home and that bitchy cop said I could.”

Roxie smiled through the pain at the chirpy woman with a big smile. Her gray eyes begged Roxie to agree and for once in her life, Roxie agreed to let someone else take control for a minute of her life. She just couldn’t say no to that look. “Alright. But only for a little while.”

“Great, let me help you up,” Keily said.

Once they’d both gathered their bags and Roxie ensured Kitty was going to close up the studio for the evening, Keily guided her out to a very expensive and luxurious SUV. Roxie tried not to gape at the control panel in the middle of the console, but Keily must have caught her.

“It’s my husband’s idea of a present. We have triplets and he’s really protective of all of us. He hunted down the safest vehicle he could for us.” Keily smiled over at her and then put the big SUV in gear.

Roxie didn’t even know what the make of the thing was but had a feeling it was foreign and far more expensive than she thought it was. It didn’t really matter right now, anyway. It was just nice to let someone else drive and worry about evening traffic. Moments from the incident kept replaying in her head though, the way Kitty and her whole class had rushed into Roxie’s side of the studio, the way all of the women piled on Nathan to throw him out. He’d managed to escape them and run off and Roxie could only hope that was the last time she’d see him.

Roxie opened her eyes when she felt the vehicle stop and noticed the engine was off. Her eyes found a huge white stucco mansion not that far from Lincoln’s place. She’d passed it several times as she drove back and forth from his home. That set her nerves on edge, but she doubted she’d see Lincoln at this time of day. He was probably still at work or home, cooking something to eat for himself.

“Nice place,” Roxie said as she opened the door and got out, her bag over her shoulder.

“Thanks, we like it. We decided we wanted to be closer to the ocean, Logan loves it and I thought it might be a nice place for our girls to grow up.” Keily unlocked the front door with a code entered on a keypad and showed Roxie in.

“I’m back,” Keily called out as she led Roxie deeper into the house. A foyer with marble floors drifted into a recessed living room with a view of the sea. “Have a seat, I’ll get us some water.”

“Thanks,” Roxie murmured and went to sit down on a dark blue leather sectional.

Keily wandered off in the direction of the kitchen, Roxie assumed, and came back with two bottles of water and two glasses filled with ice. “That seat you’re on reclines. Put your feet up and relax for a little while.”

“Thanks,” Roxie said and felt her cheeks turn red. She was repeating herself now.

“I’m sorry that happened to you,” Keily said softly, not looking at Roxie as she spoke. She filled the water glasses instead and handed one to Roxie. “Will you be okay if you go home? I have lots of extra bedrooms if you need one.”

“No, that’s too much to ask.” Roxie refused immediately but softened it with a smile. “I should be fine if I go home. I haven’t lived with Nathan in a long time. I’m sorry you all had to see that.”

Roxie made a mental note to send all of her students an apology and one to the owner of the studio. None of them deserved to see that.

“Well, it’s not your fault some psycho asshole intruded on our class. Some people just don’t know how to take no for an answer.” Keily frowned and got up to walk over to a closet. She opened it, took something out, and came back to sit down. “This is a taser designed by my husband and his company. Keep it with you.”

“Oh, cool, thanks.” Roxie looked at the small device and saw it was small, but no doubt packed a punch. It would fit into her back pocket nicely.

“I have plenty of them so if you want more just ask.” Keily looked over at Roxie and frowned. “Are you sure you’ll be alright if you go home?”

“Oh yes, I’ll be fine.” Roxie nodded her head and remembered why she was there. Her skull had nearly cracked earlier because of Nathan.

“Alright. Well, my girls are asleep and dinner’s ready. Do you feel like eating? Logan’s in California on business tonight so it’d be nice to have some company, if you want?” Keily’s almost fairy-like beauty and the appealing nature of her smile made it an offer Roxie couldn’t refuse.

“The stomach wobbles are gone, and the headache is down to a dull throb. I might be able to manage a meal.” Roxie got up and followed Keily into a dining room with an outer wall made of windows and an inner wall painted white. A long table was set for two and food was already on the table.

“This is a really nice place,” Roxie said, staring out at the ocean. It must be nice to live here.

“It’s more than I deserve, let me tell you. I got lucky with my husband.” Keily sat down across from Roxie at the end nearest the door and reached her hand out to a bowl of salad and a roasted chicken with vegetables in small bowls around it. Every dish was white, clean, and bright.

“What do you mean?” Roxie asked, curious as to how much Keily would talk.

“He’s my second husband and we knew each other in high school. I was this awful cheerleading beauty queen and he was the poor kid that couldn’t catch a break. He showed us all though, by becoming a really successful businessman. I married the quarterback of our high school but came to regret that. I got divorced and Logan came along. We reconnected and here we are.”

“That sounds like a good story,” Roxie replied, adding chicken to her plate and some of the salad.

“Oh my, it is, and I love him dearly. Which is partly why I joined your class. I want to impress him in the bedroom and out of it.” Keily winked at her, a dirty but fun-filled grin.

“I like this story already, go on.” Roxie started to eat and was soon drawn into the story.