“It’s electric,” he whispered in my ear. Sending chills down my arms despite the very cheesy retro song. I threw my head back and laughed. His eyes lit up. “There she is,” he yelled.
I covered my face, embarrassed for him. And yet … I was having fun. Even the parents joined in, most were closer to my age than the kids dancing. They knew this jam and the second the music started they recovered a piece of their past.
The energy pulsing through the Barn reminded me of that night the SWS had joined in with the rest of the crowd at the bar, dancing to Erik Jones’ singing. That very specific type of connection that comes with this sort of group bonding.God, who was I?I was a woman having fun.
I did a fancy shuffle and twirl just to show off.
Sanders fell to his knees and bowed in front of me. “I’m not worthy,” he yelled.
“You’re insane,” I called out, trying to tug him up. But he crawled on his knees as I dragged him along. I hid my face and laughed.
A few teens giggled at his antics. Some of the girls were doing their best to get Sanders to see their flirty smiles.
“Alright, let’s slow it down now,” the DJ crooned as the music melted into a slow country song.
Without discussing it, Sanders pulled me into his arms and we switched to a slow two-step.
He was a little sweaty as I dug my nails into his back to hold on. I had to admit, my lady bits quite liked the sight of that. I was taken back to our first dance together.
“Admit it, you had fun,” he growled in my ear.
“I admit you are crazy.”
“And you like it.” He pulled me so there was no space left between our bodies.
I did like it. I liked him so damn much. He didn’t even have a clue. I would have never done this for anybody else. He made me feel like nobody else ever had. He pushed me to my limit and then nudged me over the edge with one look. My body felt like it was tumbling head over feet into an abyss that I would never escape. He made me want to have him around all the time. He made me want things I couldn’t have.
“Let’s go outside,” I whispered.
His eyebrows rose slightly and he followed as I led him outside.
* * *
Outside,A few teens vaped under a flood light.
“That’ll kill you,” Sanders said to them.
They rolled their eyes. “Thanks, grandpa,” one said. But one look at my glare and they made their way back inside.
“I’m wounded,” he said dryly. Turning back to me, he said, “What’s going on, Roxxo?” His eyes pleaded with me. The deep blue of those depths drowned me.
I wanted to just give in to what felt good and right. Him.
“Remember how I mentioned that crew, the Iron Wraiths, that I used to party with?” I asked.
We stood near the wall, leaning against the brick. He said, “Yeah, and you didn’t want to talk about it.”
“Well. I’m ready to now. I’m not going to go into all the details but I need you to understand something. Because I know I’m frustrating to be around. I wish I were as easy as my friend Kim. I’m not the most likable.”
“I disagree, but go on,” he said.
“I had a rough childhood. Not terrible but my parents forgot about me a lot. My brother was never around and skipped town the second he was old enough. When Gretch and I met, we were inseparable. We were everything to each other.”
He reached for my hand and tangled our fingers. I studied our intertwined fingers, finding the strength to share more.
“Well, little girls grow up and meet boys. Gretchen started hanging with this guy that was in a motorcycle club here in Green Valley called the Iron Wraiths.”
Surprise crossed his face.
