Love Waltzes In (Dancing Under The Stars) (17 page)

B
ret peeked through the backstage curtains to look at the audience. The place was completely packed, including his parents, Ray and his family, Pierce’s family, and Bret’s entire unit in the front row. The producers must’ve arranged it with the base.

Bret wanted to puke.

Twenty-one
million
people watched last week. Twenty-one million people had watched Bret gyrate half naked. He’d even received two marriage proposals. They were from jail, but still.

Someone get me a bucket…

He jumped up and down and shook his head and arms to loosen up. Robyn grabbed his hands and gave him a kiss on the head.

“It’s ours, babe. Don’t you
worry. Here, let’s say a prayer.”

“A prayer? You just said don’t worry.”

“Shut up and pray, boy.” They bowed their heads and thanked the Lord for all their blessings. “Amen,” Robyn said. “Okay, let’s go show them how it’s done. Boo-YA!” Robyn gave Bret a high-five.

Behind them,
Dima and Laura were kissing on the sofa.

A producer hustled into the room. “Everyone in the red room! We’re on in five minutes,” he said. Selena grabbed her ankle and stretched it to her butt.
Vika propped her leg on the couch and leaned over into a split. Jenny took a big puff on her inhaler as the guys started barking and chest-bumping each other like a bunch of high school jocks. Robyn slapped Xavier playfully on the back of the head.

Selena grabbed her other ankle and leaned toward Bret. “We made it through the season. Can you believe we’re in the finale together?”
             

He nodded, his eyes wide, and then finally exhaled. “No, I can’t believe it. How we didn’t get eliminated that first week I’ll never know. No, wait, I do know—” he slapped her on her butt, “you helped me.”

Jenny was backstage helping Selena get ready. “I can’t believe we’ve been doing this show for five seasons.” She slapped Selena on the back of the head. “God help me, Sel, I actually
love
being on this show. Who would have thought it? And I’m glad you’re back with Bret. You seem really happy.”              

Selena gave her a reluctant nod. “You’re welcome,” she said. Then she thwacked Jenny’s head right back. “Now stop
messin’ with my ‘do and get outta my way, I got a crystal-encrusted dance shoe trophy to claim, be-yotch.”

“We’re on in three, two, one,” the producer said.

Matt’s voice boomed over the speakers. “In a season filled with triumph, scandal, and travesty . . . Now, the final three standing will prove to you why they should be the winners. Tonight, our finalists will come together for a Paso Doble Pow Wow, and the always exciting freestyle. Tomorrow, we will crown a new champion. Ten couples started and only three remain. Live, it’s the
Dancing under the Stars finale
!”

They all walked out when the intro music started and took their places side by side on the stage, dressed in complementary black and red
paso doble outfits. Bret noticed Pierce’s family sitting in the front row. He hoped that Pierce was smiling down on him.

The cast had to stand there while long clips rolled of each of them babbling about which were their favorite dances of the se
ason. Robyn and Bret picked their opening night mambo and their Viennese waltz. He watched their clip of the Viennese. She looked so graceful, flying across the stage effortlessly. She and Bret skated around the floor as if they were walking on water. Tomorrow, the seven eliminated couples would all come back to dance for the finale but tonight the producer filled up the air time by torturing the audience with these videos. By the time Dima and Laura and Xavier and Selena’s clips aired, they had been on stage for forty-five minutes. They hadn’t even set a toe on the dance floor and Bret’s back was killing him.

“Dancing together in our first ever Paso
Doble Pow-wow.” Matt waved his arm with a flourish. “Our
finalists
.”

The music ripped through his body. Selena stood onstage with
Vika on her left and Laura on her right. The men started on their knees and rose in unison. They strutted toward the ladies. They partners swung each of the women around them before throwing them into splits. Dima and Laura started their solo and Robyn, Selena, Xavier and Bret slipped off stage, where they watched them from behind a curtain. Laura gave it her all and paraded around Dima. His shoulders relaxed and he dropped his head toward her and they pranced around the stage. Her shiny blond hair reflected off her satin red gown. Dima and Laura collapsed on the floor, arms wrapped around each other. Their steps may have been perfect, but they’d been too reserved and never lost control. They sprinted off stage.

Xavier and Selena started their solo. The mood was totally di
fferent—they were on fire. The passion between them was electric and they moved in unison. Xavier tapped his feet like a matador and Selena teased him with her dress. She looked so sexy. Totally playing the moment, Xavier swaggered around Selena and then gave in, lowering to his knees. But even there, he stayed in charge. Clutching her waist, he rolled her into his arms. Good job—but Bret knew the audience hadn’t seen anything yet.

Bret and Robyn rushed on stage and stood alone on the floor. Two beats into their solo music, Bret thrashed his cape around, his chest erect. Robyn arched her back in defiance. The music started cascading as Bret beckoned her to him. Robyn twirled into his arms and he seized her as the music exploded to full beat. They charged across the floor, bodies perfectly in sync. Bret felt like he was in a real bullfight, with his eye on the prize.

Dima and Laura had been flawless, Xavier and Selena had been passionate, but Bret and Robyn were fierce competitors and they attacked the floor. The bass vibrated through Bret’s body and he threw Robyn into a death drop. Spinning around, she landed perfectly on her toes. This was Bret’s dance, Bret’s night, Bret’s mission. And he was alive.

The audience gave them a standing ovation. The camera panned to Bret’s Marines.

“Now what did the judges think?” Matt said. “Benjamin Brooks?”

Benny eyed Selena’s outfit like he was scouting out a back up just in case it didn’t work with
Vika.

Think again, old man. She’s taken.

“Definitely the best paso doble we’ve ever seen on this show. Dima and Laura—of all the Latin dances, this is where you shined. Your height gave you both a strong presence. Xavier, your feet dragged across the floor but at least your posture was strong. And Bret and Robyn, bugger me dead!
That
was bloody amazing. You’re the team to beat.”

Bret picked Robyn up and swung her around. He couldn’t b
elieve this was happening. The other judges basically repeated what Benny said. Even though it was a group dance, they got individually judged because of their solos. Parading through the red room a couple at a time, Dima and Laura scored straight eights, and Xavier and Selena got two nines and an eight from Benny.

It was finally their turn, so Bret and Robyn headed into the red room, which the other dancers had already vacated.

Matt interviewed them. “Bret, how does it feel to be in the final on your first season of
Dancing under the Stars
?”

Bret looked right into the camera and smiled. “Well, it’s such a blessing to have made the final in my first and only season. And I’ve met the most wonderful people on this show. Robyn has been such an inspiration. She’s such a brilliant performer and so su
ccessful.”

“That’s wonderful. And the scores for Bret and Robyn?”

Bret held his breath.

“Ten,” Benny said.

Karen jumped out of her seat. “Ten!”

Steve held up the number. “Ten.”

“A perfect thirty and in the finale,” Matt said. She stuck the microphone in front of Robyn. “How do you feel?”             

“I owe it all to Bret. He’s the hardest working dancer here, or anywhere. And he is an amazing man.” Robyn winked at Bret.

“And Bret, any final thoughts?”

C
ould somebody pinch me? I can’t believe that twenty-one million people all have tuned in to see me.
Bret finally got why everyone loved this show. Bret loved this show. It had changed his life. “All I can say, Matt, is that this is the happiest night of my life.”

Selena popped her head around the corner and shook it slowly, his girl’s smile better than any trophy could ever be.
I love you
, she mouthed at him.

Bret knew his life had just changed forever.

“Welcome back to the live finale of
Dancing under the Stars.
You saw the final three couples battle it out last night. And right now, one of our three finalists is about to be eliminated. Last night, millions of you voted online, called, and texted your votes,” Matt said. “With those votes combined with our judges’ scores, we can now reveal which of our couples will be the first to be eliminated tonight.”

Xavier had his arms around Selena on stage. Tonight was much tenser than last night’s group dance orgy. No chest-bumping bac
kstage tonight. None of them were ready to fly the white flag now. Bret had barely slept last night—Selena knew, because he kept her awake the whole time, tossing and turning. And she had fretted because she just wanted him to win. She had to use Preparation H to cover the bags under her eyes.

The ominous elimination music began to play. “Xavier,” Matt said, “last night Karen said your freestyle was the most creative she’s ever seen, but did the viewers agree?”

Their freestyle had been amazing. Selena had strung a medley of Xavier’s greatest hits together, and they’d danced this cha-cha, rock fusion number. Xavier flipped her over like a tortilla.

“Laura, last night Steve said your Viennese waltz was exqui
site, but did the viewers think it was enough for you to win the trophy?” Dima held Laura, who despite the layers of tanning cream looked very flush. They were out for sure. Her Latin actually really improved this season, but it was her standard that landed her in the finale. Their Viennese waltz was exquisite—perfect lines, feet, and body posture. And she looked great during Selena’s paso doble. It was her freestyle that killed their chances. She tried to dance a tango/cha-cha combo that just didn’t flow well at all.

“And Robyn, Benny said you’re the team to beat and you r
eceived a perfect 30. But will the viewers send you to the finish line?” Bret and Robyn looked confident and weren’t even breaking a sweat with the hot lights shining in their faces. Her paso had been perfect. But in her freestyle, she went 100% hip-hop, and sometimes the viewers vote against that. But it didn’t seem to faze her. Selena studied Bret. It was kind of nice, to see him smile again. He seemed as happy as he had been when they were teens.

“The couple in third place is . .
. ,” Matt paused and the drum rolled. “Dima and Laura.”

Yes, yes, yes!
Selena and Xavier were in the final two! Xavier threw his arms around her, and she swore she was gonna suffocate. When he pulled back she saw that she’d gotten glitter all over his white shirt. Bret and Robyn were comforting the losers.

“Look pro, Xavier,” Selena whispered and then led him over to hug
Dima and Laura. Selena could be the first dancer ever on this show to win three titles, including all the dancers in the forty-two international versions.
But I just want Bret to win!

The audience gave
Dima and Laura a standing ovation as they walked down the stairs from the stage. Matt embraced them. “Laura, you’ve gone from a teen mom to a dancer. Tell us what this experience has been like for you.”

Dima
clutched Laura to his chest. “It’s been incredible. I met so many great people, and learned so much about myself. But the best part of this entire experience has been meeting Dima. He’s changed my outlook on my life and he’s a truly beautiful person inside and out.” Dima gave her a kiss on the mouth. Selena couldn’t believe he would be so open about hooking up with his celebrity partner, especially since she was a teenager.

Matt aborted the interview. “Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dima Pavlov and Laura Benson. Coming up, a musical performance from John Matthew.”

They headed back to the red room to watch John’s perfo
rmance. Selena couldn’t believe the producers convinced him to come on this show. Between Xavier, Bret, and George, she swore she’d been sucked right into some kind of Eighties flashback. Dima and Vika were huddled in the corner consoling Laura. Selena sat next to Bret.

Bret had to win this. Selena had won twice before—once with a boy-
bander and once with an NHL hockey player. Bret needed to win now for Pierce’s family. For himself and Selena.

“You nervous?” Bret asked. He was decked out in a tuxedo with tails.
Like a prince.

“For once, I am. I just want you to win.” John started singing her favorite song, “Careless Kiss.” She closed her eyes and relaxed into Bret’s arms. He kissed her neck and she wanted to savor the moment forever. They hadn’t given the press an interview about their relationship because they didn’t want to hurt Bret’s chance for victory. Selena loved Bret. He made her happy. And she d
eserved to be happy.

The song ended and the producer called them back on stage. “Here we go,” Xavier said, pulling her up. He jutted out his elbow, ready to escort her like a proper gentleman. She slipped her hand through and they walked down the long, white hallway, right to where John was stepping off the stage
. She couldn’t help it: suddenly she was fourteen years old again. John was her dream long before Xavier’s poster went up in her bedroom. She didn’t even care that John was gay; her knees actually went weak standing so close to him.

“Good luck, love,” John said, touching her arm. She almost peed in her costume. She’d just touched John
Matthew. . . while holding Xavier’s hand!
Could life get any more fabulous?

They took their place on stage. Bret and Robyn stood next to them and Selena rushed over and hugged Robyn. T
hen Bret and Xavier jumped in and they all hugged each other. It probably looked so hokey, she knew, but that was just how it was tonight. Selena swirled in emotions. Looking over at the audience, she saw she wasn’t the only one. Bret’s Marines were sitting next to Xavier and Robyn’s kids, everyone looking so proud. Xavier’s whole band had shown up also. The place was packed tonight, standing room only. She knew on television the ballroom looked huge, but there were only about four hundred people stuffed into the crammed soundstage. The cameras panned overhead to create the illusion of a sea of people. She didn’t have to see the millions of viewers at home to feel their eyes on her. This finale wasn’t like any of the others. This one, she really cared about. It could be her last.

God, she wanted Bret to win.

“Good luck, Selena,” Robyn told her.

Selena took her hand. “You, too.” Robyn gave her a hesitant smile and squeezed her hand as they all four lined up for the final announcement.

The music came on. Matt took his position. “For the past fifteen weeks, these couples have lived in the studio and endured endless hours of practice and blisters on their feet. Right now, we will finally reveal the winner of season seventeen of
Dancing under the Stars.”
He smiled so big Selena swore his bleached teeth actually twinkled from the bright lights. “The winner of the crystal dance shoe trophy is . . . .”

She looked over at the judges’ table. Benny was grinning at Bret. He mouthed, “You did it!” She bit her lip.

Matt read the card. “Robyn Quintana and Bret Lord.”

Selena’s scream was drowned out by the howls of the audience as Bret lifted Robyn and twirled her around in the air. He did it! All the dancers and stars from the season flood the stage. Xavier embraced his wife as confetti hails the stage.

Bret looked Selena in the eye and kissed her on the lips. The cameras ignited. Their secret was out. For once, Selena didn’t have to live a lie.