For the Love of Dance

Chapter 8

Leo

It could have gone terribly wrong but, it didn't. I changed the venue for our date last minute. I originally planned to go to a local restaurant. On the drive to Denise's house, I just couldn't think of a better place to take her. That park meant a lot to me. I go there whenever I'm stressed and scared. All the good memories of my childhood were formed there. When my mom and dad would fight, my grandma would take us there to get away from all the drama that was going on at home. My brother and I would hang out with each other which is something that we rarely did at home. We were always too scared to leave our rooms because of the fighting that would occur every day. As we got older, it only got worse. My dad became more aggressive by hitting my brother and me on occasions for not listening to him or for defending our mom. We knew that he also hit our mom but, she would always hide it from us. Home was supposed to be a safe space. For me, my safe space was the park and my grandma. My grandma noticed our bruises and black eyes and took it upon herself to get us out of that situation. She would beg my mom to leave him but, she wouldn't listen. At first, I didn't understand why she just couldn't leave him after all that he has done to us. I get it now. The fear she must have felt, the worry that she would never be able to experience love again even though my dad didn't love her, not truly. My worst fear is that I will turn into him but I promised myself that I would never be him that I couldn't be him.

My grandma took us in when we were 10 years old, she fed us, made sure that were clothed and most all, she loved us. At the time, she worked two jobs to ensure she had enough money to put me and my brother through college even though she was supposed to be retired. She was my hero and when she was gone it was like a part of me was gone. The park is all I have left of the memories we had. My mom is back in my life now. I love her but, our relationship will never be like the relationship I had with my grandma. Even though, at that time it felt like my mom was betraying us. It was like she didn't care. Deep down, part of me still feels this way. I have never taken anyone I've dated there before. It's huge that I took Denise. When I told her this exact story she didn't pity me... she didn't judge me... she just listened.

Everything about yesterday felt like a dream. It was the best first date I have ever been on. It wasn't awkward at all and I didn't feel like I had to pretend or hide who I am with Denise. Denise ... she looked stunning yesterday. The way her jeans accentuated all the curves on her body. The kiss and the kisses that followed were so hot. Once I was done pushing her on the swings, I challenged her to a monkey bar race. That competition may have been a little unfair since I am firemen and we train our upper-body daily because of the heavy lifting we have to do. So let's just say, I had a leg up on this competition. At least that is what I thought, Denise was right beside me the whole time. The need to kiss her again consumed me and I missed a monkey bar which led me to fall to the ground. It was so embarrassing and painful. I totally get why she was not having it when she fell off the treadmill. She jumped down her bright eyes were staring back at me with a crease on her forehead. She looked so fucking cute. I was shocked for a second not because I fell but, because she was so beautiful.

"You okay?" She says crouching down.

"Yeah, I just really wanted to win." I say finding it hard to find my breath.

"Why is that?" She says a smile appearing on her lips. Oh God, those lips.

"Because I really wanted to kiss you again." I say meaning every single word of it.

"Well, you are in luck." She bends down, hair glowing because of where the sun is. Her lips coming to meet mine, the smell of citrus radiating off of her. Her lips met mine and it was everything, the way she tasted....

"WAKE UP!" Nolan yells while he opens up the curtains in my room to let the sun shine through and hit my face.

"Really, why?" I say annoyed that he disrupted my thoughts.

"You are going to be late for work." I look at the clock and notice the time. Shit! I was going to be late.

"You're lucky you have me." Nolan says while walking away. Once he walked out the door, all I wanted to do was lay back in bed and continue to replay the events of last night in my head. But, I couldn't so I jumped out of bed and the first thing I do is message Denise. This girl was going to do a number on me and I didn't need to see a psychic to know that.