Christ, it was his worst nightmare come to fruition. Humiliation, incompetence, and people to witness it.

“That’s it.” He felt hands settle on his hips from behind, and if he’d been tense before, that just increased. He was surrounded by elderly woman, all with their hands on him.

Dylan heard someone giggling, and found Piper doubled over on the stage laughing so hard she was crying. He shot her a foul look and redoubled his efforts to get it right so they’d leave him alone and he could slink into a corner somewhere.

“I had a feeling you’d be one of them.” Piper was now in control. She came to stand before him after two more slow and extremely humiliating songs.

“Them what?” he said, attempting to do something Violet, the woman to his left, had called a grapevine, and failing.

“All looks and no ability.”

“Get me horizontal,” he said, tripping over his foot, “and I’ll show you ability.”

Piper snorted.

“Glad someone’s enjoying my humiliation.”

“Haven’t had so much fun in months,” she said, totally unrepentant. “Okay, ladies, I got him, you go on and enjoy the last of the class,” Piper said.

“You got your hands full with that one, Pip. Has no rhythm at all. Sorry, sweetie,” Pearl said, patting his cheek.

Piper giggled, and Dylan had to admit it was a sweet sound, even if it was at his expense.

“Now this is an easy move, Dylan. Left foot forward, right to follow in a wide stance, then right foot back, and left foot. Hands on hips, eyes up.”

“How the hell do you expect me to keep my eyes up when I need to watch that woman’s feet? And there’s also the fact I don’t want to. Any chance I can just leave, and we forget this ever happened?”

“Left foot, right foot,” Piper said, ignoring him. “Stop whining and move. Good, now let’s work on the arms.”

“Do we gotta?” Dylan wined, refusing to admit that maybe... just maybe he might be enjoying it now, but only because she was right there for him to look at.

“Yes, we gotta. Now as you step out with the left, your arm goes out straight, same with the right, when you step back you lower them.”

“If you got in front of me I may be able to understand it better.”

“You want to look at my butt.”

“Really, Piper, get your mind out of the gutter. The thought had not entered my head. I merely wish to get the moves right.”

Piper snorted again.