Cady grabbed her bag and ran toward the building. “I gotta change.”
“Hold up, Tiny Dancer. I got you something.” I handed her the shopping bag from the local sporting goods store.
She peeked inside and gasped. “For me?”
I nodded. “The woman at the store said they should be your size.”
Cady pulled out a sparkly pink leotard and gaped. “These are the fancy ones.”
My chest ached for her. Cady deserved the best, and if it was within my power, I’d make sure she had it. “I thought you’d like the sparkles.”
She beamed and threw herself at me. “You’re my favoritest ever!”
I chuckled, patting her back. “You’d better hurry and change.”
Cady released me and ran into the locker room.
Charlie watched her go and then looked up at me. “Sparkles are her favorite.”
“I’ve figured that one out.”
He was quiet for a moment and then looked at the studio. “Heather and her friends are being mean to Cady again, aren’t they?”
I nodded. “Do they do stuff at school, too?”
“Sometimes. But not when I’m around.”
I let out a huff. Of course, not. One of them probably had a crush on my nephew and knew he would have Cady’s back.
“I need you to do me a favor,” I said.
Charlie nodded.
“I want you to stick close to Cady for a while. I’m gonna try to make sure those girls don’t mess with her anymore.”
“You got it, Uncle Roan. We’re together like all the time because she’s my bestest friend.”
I chuckled. “Glad to hear it.”
By the time we stepped inside the dance studio, Cady was emerging from the locker room in her new leotard and a glittery tutu. She grinned at me and handed me her bag.
“Knock ‘em dead, Tiny Dancer.”
Her smile widened, and she bobbed her head in a nod.
The small sea of women along the wall stared at me, mouth agape as I approached. I ignored all of them except for Katelyn Beasley. I flashed her a glare that should’ve sent her into the ice age.
She snapped her mouth closed and averted her gaze.
“That’s meanie number one’s mom,” Charlie whispered.
“Thanks, bud.”
I leaned against the wall, crossing my arms over my chest and scanning the kids in the class. It was mostly girls, but there were also a couple of little boys. “Which one is Heather?” I whispered to Charlie.
Charlie’s nose scrunched up, and he motioned to a little blonde in the corner, talking to two other girls. She full-on sneered at Cady as Cady found her place among the dancers.
Anger surged, and I cleared my throat. The dancers looked my way. But my gaze was locked on meanie number one. The moment she saw my focus on her, she blanched. Her gaze flicked to Charlie.
I cast a quick look in his direction and saw that he was mirroring my exact pose and glaring at her. Heather’s face heated, and she quickly averted her eyes, turning back to her friends. They kept right on talking, but this time, the glances were cast at Charlie and me.
The class began, and I kept a close eye on the mean-girl trio. Every single time I saw a sneer or caught a whispered comment, I’d clear my throat and pin them with a stare. Halfway through, it stopped altogether.
I saw Cady visibly relax. But it was more than that. She came alive. It was clear she absolutely loved to dance. The sheer joy on her face was a sucker punch to the solar plexus.
Cady spun and twirled, leapt and twisted. I wanted to give the girl her own damned studio by the time she was done. It all made her so happy.
“She’s so good,” Charlie whispered.
I wasn’t sure that any of the kids in this class could be classified as good. They were way too young. But Cady had that light in her that made her shine.
I clapped him on the back. “The best.”
Cady ran over and launched herself at me.
I caught her with a chuckle. “Tiny Dancer, you are incredible.”
She beamed. “Really? You think so?”
“You’re the best one,” Charlie said.
She turned that smile on him, and I worried we might be in trouble in ten years.
“Thanks, Charlie.” Cady moved her focus back to me. “Can you come to every class?”
My brows lifted.
She leaned in close. “They weren’t nearly as mean today.”
My back teeth ground together. “I’ll come anytime you want.”
“You’re the best, Mr. Grizz.”
“Roan,” a voice cooed. “I didn’t know you knew Cady.”