AH! Another chapter! I have to say I had to look over this chapter over and over to make sure it made sense. Sometimes I ramble on a lot. So I hope you understand, it's a bad habit!

ENJOY!

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Such Great Heights

Chapter SEVEN: Dancing Back to Reality

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Erica's POV

I had to hand it to my mom; she was taking up the daunting task of finishing up tiny details for me, like date confirmations and calling relatives reminding them to book flights and hotel rooms. If it wasn't for her I would be far away from this place. I shyly walked back into The Grecian Hall, to face Marcy. Thankfully Colton was there with me this time.

I would have rather go to Lucile's first than face Marcy. I feared she might mention the one person I should be forgetting. Colton confidently walked up to Marcy who displayed no sign of dislike towards me. She smiled widely at both of us, giving us warm welcomes and ushering us in to the hall. A wave of relief washed over me. Perhaps she won't peep. Once Colton turned his back, her smile was painfully forced at me.

"25 tables, just the way you asked." Marcy exclaimed, her eyes narrowing at me. She briskly walked into her office careful to not slam the door behind her. I looked away stumbling into the Hall.

The tables where arranged in the way I remembered I planned. I frowned at the fact that all of the tables have yet to be dusted and given a good clean. I briskly followed Colton, examining every inch of this hall.

At the far end of the hall, a long table was being set up on a small platform where the cake and everyone who is important will sit. By the side of this platform there was a clearing that had a baby grand piano with a tiny radio placed on top of it.

Colton pulled me along, running to the radio. He messed with the radio for a while until a slow waltz dance out of it's speakers. It was the same song I picked out with the help of my mom. I guess he got the memo.

Colton turn to me with an uncertain nervousness to him.

"I was thinking we could practice our dance."

My heart tore to pieces as my fiancé walked towards me reminding me of the boy I first met back in Hawaii, when he ruin our first date. He awkwardly wrapped his one arm around me as he extended my arm with his other. He seemed so tense.

Was he that nervous about a simple dance?

He robotically moved in time with the beat. I stumbled on my feet trying to fit my own moves to his. His eyes looked hard, concentrating. I cracked a smile.

Colton wasn't the guy you see dancing up a storm at parties and now I understand why. He wasn't blessed with natural rhythm. He didn't hold me as close as Shane did, his legs were moving stiffly, and his steps were repetitive. Despite how bad at waltzing he was, his gesture was really sweet.

He took dance classes so he could impress me.

In the middle of my admiration of this man, an ear splitting crunch cracked throughout the hall.

I winced in pain. My toes were currently smooched under Colton's foot.

My mouth hung open trying to find the force in me to yell, scream, yelp, something to inform Colton that he stepped on me.

He studied me and swooped his head down. Immediately a blushed crept up his cheeks as he jumped off my foot.

"I'm so sorry!" He sullenly said.

He clearly looked disappointed. Perhaps the lessons he took weren't as helpful as he hope they would be. I looked down at my foot which looked a bit swollen and red.

Great.

I might have a broken foot and by our honeymoon I might have two.

I gently sat down on the floor taking off my brown pumps. Maybe this injury isn't that bad. I was able to move my toes, it hurt like a son of a monkey's uncle but I could slowly wiggle them. I wonder what made the crunch sound…

Colton squatted next to me, a pout on his face. He worryingly examine my bad foot with a pained expression.

"I'm an idiot." He announced. "I thought I could pick up this stupid dance in days and it's painfully obvious I can't!"

"It wasn't your fault." I lied.

I smiled internally. I'm too lucky to have Colton. His concerned eyes swooped over me. It was nothing like the look he gave me the other day. Maybe I was over analyzing things. My heart gave a little jolt for Colton. I felt the returning of former feelings come back and that was a huge stress lifter. I will be able to marry this wonderful man.

I reached out to touch his cheek as a gesture of my rekindling romance, "We have all day."

We did have most of all day. I had a team back home working for this grand day so I was allowed a day off with Colton. I had honestly no idea that he would take me here, to dance. Though the only business to do here is check on the progress and leave, I had a feeling there was something else going on. But maybe, it's just pre-wedding jitters.

Colton put on a smile though he was still ashamed of his ineptness.

"Erica?!"

A voice I knew all too well called for me. I hope it was in my mind. I really didn't want to face Shane at this moment. Just when I was re-falling for Colton…

Shane's figure appeared at the entrance. He shuffled in as quickly as he could.

"Thank God I found you. I need to tell you…"

Shane's pace slowed once the realization hit that I wasn't alone. He looked down at Colton who shifted his glance between me and Shane, curiously.

"How- What are you doing here?" I asked, a bit annoyed.

Shane's gazed flickered to my swollen foot. His head cocked to the side, listening to the music that was still running. It didn't take long for him to figure out what had happened. His face indicated he was trying very hard to suppress a laugh that was aching to come out.

"I umm, called your sister and asked where you were and I came here to tell you something."

Colton narrowed his lids, I could tell his jaw muscles were tightening. Shane causally flashed him a smiled as if to say, 'Don't worry, it's nothing bad.'

"What do you need to tell me?"

"Were you guys dancing?" Shane asked randomly, completely avoiding my question. I wondered if he just wanted a confirmation of what he already knew.

Colton cleared his throat, flinging his arm around me protectively.

"Ahem, yeah." He gave a smug look to Shane.

"Problems?" Shane cast another look at my foot.

I shook my head, "I just skipped a step and because of my stupid mistake, Colton stepped on me…"

I lied again.

I was willing to do anything to give Colton a boost of confidence. I'm pretty sure he didn't even know it was his fault. So here I was trying to blame myself for my disfigured foot.

"So you're having problems…" Shane persisted.

"No, we're not." I spat.

Colton raised his eyebrows at me, "Don't be ashamed Erica, just because someone didn't practice…"

Great, now Colton's teasing. I tell one tiny white lie and instantly I'm deemed as a horrible dancer. At least it did boost his confidence…

"Mind if I teach her some moves, man?" Shane asked Colton, who let down his guard. Anybody could tell I was irritated with Shane. To Colton, it meant that I still had some resistance to Shane and that was fully welcomed.

I was irritated because these two are equally annoying at this point.

Shane with his stupid smug look.

Colton with his stupid smug look.

"Take her, she's all yours. I need to talk to Marcy about these tables…" He pointed around to the mess that still lingered three days before my wedding.

"Please work your magic," Colton stood up and patted Shane on the shoulder, "She needs some major help."

Shane grinned at me as Colton disappeared into Marcy's office. He outstretched his hand to my sprawled form. I felt like scum, we were interacting right under his nose and Colton had NO idea. I shook my head at his offer, pointing to my foot as an excuse.

"Oh c'mon on Erica." Shane whined.

"Shane I don't think you know how bad my foot hurts." I calmly said from the floor.

He shrugged, " I just think you're scared to kiss me with Colton around. But who can blame you? I mean I am pretty irresistible."

Shane shoved his hands in his pockets.

Erica, calm down, he's just using reverse psychology…

Damn it!

I got up, propping myself up on my good leg. Shane instantly was there to hold me up. I slightly winced at the pain that throbbed on my extremity but with Shane, it really didn't seem that bad.

"Did I hurt you?"

I shook my head.

"Can you stand?"

I straightened up, showing Shane I was capable of doing so.

"Can you walk?"

I frowned. I sure as heck don't want to do anything that would make my foot worse. Shane noticed my expression and sighed. The music was still bouncing around.

"Look just stand on my feet and I'll guide you." Shane offered.

Without asking, my bare feet were on Shane black leather boots. It felt ridiculous. I know how to dance. I might not be great at it but I don't need to be babied. All I did was stand there as Shane skillfully moved with the waltz. He took my hand and squeezed it, looking down at me with a hint of satisfaction in his eyes.

"I know how to dance, Shane." I retorted.

His smile only grew, "I know."

The music ended but we kept on dance to nothing. (I used we very lightly)

"So what was it that you desperately needed to tell me?" I asked going through the motions.

He shrugged, "Nothing really, just wanted to see you."

I couldn't help but to feel flattered that Shane wanted to see me but I'm sure that was a lie.

"Don't play games, now tell me!"

Shane frowned.

"Mitchie came back and she found the ring."

I urged him on to continue. I really didn't get where he was going with this.

"She's been wearing it…" Shane raise an eyebrow at me as if I was stupid to not catch on to his hints.

I didn't

"and?"

"I'm engaged now."

I felt embarrassment of a stupidity lapse I just had. Of course she been wearing his ring, why else would she be?

I felt the urge to step on my other foot to even out how dumb I feel right now.

"Oh…"

"I wasn't planning on it. I didn't expect her to come back at all!" Shane exclaimed, "She just sorta showed up and found out."

"Oh…"

"I don't think I can even consider it a proposal when she caught me by surprise. I mean, she already had the thing on her finger. What was I suppose to say?"

"Umm."

"That's not what upsets me the most. I wasn't thinking of her at all. Jason would ask about us and I swore to him I had things down. Now that I think about it, I didn't have anything planned to propose to Mitch. It's like I don't love her anymore."

I didn't know it was possible but my heart fluttered and tore at the same time. Shane spun us around, continuing his comfortable waltz. He finally looked back at me.

"Do you still love him?" He asked in a whisper.

Totally took me by surprise but I managed to answer.

"Not when you're around."

Shane smiled warmly at me, content with my answer. I wondered if I would ask him the same question would his response be that same as mine.

My mind flooded with realization. I can't go on like this. We are two different people with different lives and different partners. What we were doing was wrong and I was blind enough to go on for far too long with Shane. I need to put a stop to this. There was only one way I could think of and I hurt me to say.

"Shane I can't see you anymore." I announced.

I think I made my decision and there was no way I could go through with getting married with Shane around. His eyes widen in shook of my declaration.

"What do you mean?"We spun around again. I could almost hear our own song.

"We can't do this anymore. I can't." I muttered. I suddenly didn't have the strength to go through this ingenious idea I thought up.

Shane was now in a tux guiding me through the dance floor. All my family and friends were there with love struck faces. My own white dress grazed the floor as Shane spun me around again. I could see the shy face of Nate and Jason's approving grin. Even Marcy was there enjoying the sight of a married couple.

Shane squeezed my hand again, bringing me back from my day dreams.

"Do what?"

"This!" I choked out, "We can't go running around people back's like in Hawaii, Shane. That was years ago. We had our chance, we can't change that."

Everybody faded away, again.

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Shane's POV

I wanted her to stop.

No.

I needed her to stop.

But she didn't. Erica went on to point out all our flaws. Why we didn't work before and why it won't work now. Why we should respectively go on with our lives as if nothing had ever occurred to us.

Go back with Mitchie, she told me. You still love her, it's all in your head.

She went on saying why everything we've done was bad.

I can't change what I've done.

And hell, I don't regret any of it either.

I might of cheated on my girlfri-…fiancé but Erica still pulls that part of my heart and I can't stay away. She can't make me stay away.

We danced on every inch of available floor, twice already, arguing about us.

"You can't get rid of me." I said, interrupting her long speech. Her lips etched into a frown. I know how much she hates being interrupted. Does Colton know?

"Shane quit being so naïve! In three day's I'll be getting married and I don't want you around anymore."

"Are you afraid that you might leave Colton for me? Is that it?" I asked, hoping she would say yes.

"Of course not!" She spat, "I'm afraid you'll leave Mitchie for a lost cause!"

Lost?

It's not lost or going to lose because…

I'm being stupid.

I finally came to my senses once again, with Mitchie fresh on my mind.

How in the hell am I willing to leave Mitchie when Erica, despite how much she denies it, loves me but won't let go of Colton?

Why should I take that first step?

"I won't leave Mitch for the world!" I scoffed.

She was hurt. I could see the pain spread through her eyes and her teeth gritting loudly. I braced myself I had no idea what was about to happened to me.

Erica whispered dangerously low, "So you were expecting me to leave Colton? You think just because you got me a little tongue tied and weak-kneeed you can break my wedding?"

I stayed silent.

"I have some news for you Shane Grey. I won't ever leave Colton again for an arrogant, stupid, worthless, center-of-the-universe star who thinks I love him! I don't have the mental capacity to understand how a guy so in love with himself can go on to love another."

"You're afraid to admit it." I growled, "You love me as much as you pretend to love Colton."

She rolled her eyes, "You wish I could love you a fraction of how much admiration and respect I have for that man."

"You're hopelessly in love with me." I persisted.

"No, I'm not and this is why we won't see each other anymore."

"Because you'll realize how much you need me?"

"No, because this is annoying me. I don't love you, I don't need you, and I don't want to see you again."

She stepped off from my feet and slowly limped to her shoes. She picked them up and limped towards the exit. She never turned back.

"I still have the invitation!" I yelled out to her.

"Well you're uninvited!"

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Erica's POV
(A day later)

I held Colton close as we neared the apartment. After an exhausting day of fitting him and his men into tuxes, I was ready to hit the sack. Colton laughed at the lopsided dreamy smile I threw at him.

"You can't be tired!" He exclaimed, "There's a lot to do left!"

I rolled my tired eyes at him, "Taking care of five over grown teenagers is a exhausting task."

He laughed again, stopping in front of our apartment door.

"Well I'll let you go and enjoy your fun…" He winked at me.

"Wait where are you going?" I asked as he tried to escape from me.

He shrugged, "The boys are throwing me my last night as a single man."

Great, a bachelor party.

I frowned, hoping my brother and his three crazy friends wouldn't go over board with this party.

"I forbid strippers." I mumbled.

Colton chuckled, "I promise, sweetheart, it's going to be a tasteful night of thick cigars and reciting poetry."

I playfully slapped his arm, "Don't joke around, I'm serious."

"I know you are! Beside I know you'll have your own fun." Colton held my shoulders.

I crossed my arms, "I'm not even having such a thing!"

I cringed at the tackiness of a bachelorette's party.

Cocktails, lingerie, and a fireman stripper.

Great.

Colton kissed my forehead, "I'll see you tomorrow, bright and early."

"Dress rehearsal's at 8!"

Colton dashed down the hallways giving me a thumbs up.

"I won't forget!"

I sighed, watching him walk away. I summed up the strength to finally drag myself inside the pitch black apartment.

I fumbled around to find the switch…

Where is the darn thing…

Flip.

"SURPRISE!"

As the light filled the room, I got a heck of a surprise out of twenty giggling women. My eyes widen at the sudden realization.

This can't be happening…

Olivia crossed over to me with a martini in her hand.

"Erica! Were you surprised?" She slurred. I'm guessing she already had something to drink beside the dainty cup in her hand.

I nodded earnestly, "Very!"

I looked over at the faces of the women in here.

My mother

Sofie

Emily

Amanda

A couple of cousins

Some old friends

My mother-in-law

And

Mitchie

What the?

The Mitchie Torres was beaming at me. At that moment I was glad I put an end to Shane. I would've hate to have that girl against me.

"Ok ok!" My mom yelled above the chatter, "We will commence with the fun and get this party going!"That was something unnecessary to see.

My mother having fun.

---

After many embarrassing games and stories were told. Everybody decided to move on the collection of presents. They sat me on the couch as the first present was passed on to me.

A colorful orange bag was place on my lap. I hesitantly took out the massive amount of tissue paper. Everybody crowded around to see what was in store for me.

I took a bottle of Hershey's chocolate syrup and whipped cream.

A few shouts came from my friends.

"Food products?" I asked, hoping they were for other purposes than what I was thinking.

"For the honeymoon!" Olivia shouted. My pack of friends laughed.

I blushed.

Another present was place on my lap.

"It's from me, Emily and Mitchie!" Sofie announced. I relaxed a bit, there was no way my little sister will buy me something raunchy. I assumed that Sofie invited Mitchie. After all the times she blabbed my whereabouts to Shane there's no reason not to believe she invited her over.

I reached into the bag and took out more bottles. This time I was happy that I received a collection of body gels and bubble baths gels. It was thoughtful.

I smiled widely at the three girls.

"I- I love it." I stuttered, "It's very thoughtful."

Sofie grinned, "Mitchie said you would want to smell extra pretty for the big day!"

I weakly smiled at Mitchie for her gesture. I felt undeserving of her kindness.

"Thank you!"

Another present.

My mother and mother-in-law winked at me.

Lingerie.

I could feel myself turn a deep red.

I took out the scraps of fabric that some call underwear.

I shook my head, "Mom! What's this for!"

She merely rolled her eyes at my child-like whine.

"Oh Erica! Every bride needs at least three sets of lingerie!" She exclaimed.

I shoved the fabric back into the bag.

"Why three!?" I asked stupidly.

One of my many cousins decided to add in to my embarrassment.

"Because one isn't enough for any man!"

Everybody erupted in laughter.

There was knocking at the door. Everybody shuffled around pushing me towards it.

"Answer it Erica!" Olivia said.

I turned to see my mother push Emily and Sofie into her room. I immediately was suspicious.

Did they have the guts to call in a male dancer?

I hope not.

I swung open the door, relived to find a deputy standing there.

He scanned the area behind me, with a dirty look on his face.

"The neighbors had a complaint." He growled, taking a step in.

I sighed, silently thanking this man for stopping this wreak of a party.

"And you're all under-arrest."

WHAT!?!

"For being extremely sexy!"

The officer proceeded to rip off his shirt and dance around the living room. I could have died of the amount of embarrassment that filled my veins.

Someone save me, please!

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Hahaha. I just had to add in a party. I mildly enjoyed the few moments in Erica's Bachelorette's Party. Who doesn't love the random over-rated situations that happen when a groupd of women get together? Ahh, please review. It makes me smile.