It was their weekend. Two birthdays and no one else around. Rachel was smiling as she arrived on Claudia's doorstep and knocked. She had a small duffel bag over her shoulder, but there really wasn't much in it. She hadn't really thought she'd have a need for too many outfits. A couple things for fun, something nice to wear if they went out....and ( Read more... )

Rachel had been pacing her bedroom all morning. With James out hanging out with the twins, it was the perfect time to talk to her parents without anyone else around. She could do it. Really she could ( Read more... )

Rachel had been in a great mood since arriving at the studio earlier. Everyone could tell, but she just ignored them all. She put it all into her dance that day, though. And the excitement that she was seeing Claudia afterword helped. A lot. It was a small studio, not associated with her school, and she had been there for a few years. Mostly ( Read more... )

Rachel climbed the steps from the Metro and pulled her jacket a little tighter around herself. Her friend Megan caught up to her and looped her arm through Rachel's. "Relax, Rach."

"I'm trying," she muttered.

"Just think of this as any other night we're going out for drinks."

"Easy for you to say, it is any other night for you ( Read more... )

He reacted on gut instinct. He was a father who aimed to protect his family, and this person he saw speaking with his daughter was a major threat to his family. In two quick strides, he had crossed the parking lot to where his daughter was standing and yanking her behind him by the arm, fixing the man in front of him with a level look. Grant ( Read more... )