Page 108 of Taking Sides

She presses Play on the movie and D-Low and I dance in step with Johnny and Baby. D-Low took lessons as a kid, so he’s a natural. Meanwhile, I’m trying to move my feet, not step on his, remember my frame, the choreography, oh and my girlfriend is watching.

When we get to the end of the sequence, Whitney jumps up and cheers.

“That was amazing. You should really let me record it so you can see.”

“No,” D-Low and I say in unison.

She chuckles.

“Okay, one more time and then my turn.” The whole point in D-Low teaching me is so I can do the dance with Whitney—something she’s wanted to do for a very long time, apparently.

We start at the beginning of the song again. I don’t even need to look at the TV anymore to know the steps. D-Low and I move in sync, grinning like fools—and probably looking like it too but I don’t care.

I’m feeling super proud of myself when Whitney hits Pause on the movie.

“We had it that time,” I say, looking for some explanation to why she cut us off early. Her smile goes sheepish.

Before I can ask what’s wrong, movement at the front door catches my eye. Galaxy, Ruby, Trav, Hannah, and Penn stare at us with surprise and amusement in their expressions.

“What the fuck is happening?” Penn asks.

“Dance lessons,” Whitney says.

“We’re just messing around,” D-Low adds, then clears his throat.

“Was that Dirty Dancing?” Ruby asks.

Whitney nods. “I forced them to watch it.”

“Oh my god, I love that movie.” Hannah is the first to step forward.

“Me too,” Ruby says dreamily.

Before I can introduce them, they’re already pulling Whitney into the living room. The guys follow me into the kitchen to grab more beers.

“Is this the kind of shit you two do on the regular?” Trav asks, grinning at me.

“If we did, I’d be a much better dancer.” I hand each of them a beer.

“Sorry to hear about Erin,” Galaxy says to D-Low as he tips his bottle to him.

He waves him off the same way he did me earlier. “I’m feeling better already. Who wants to help me swipe girls?”

“Not it,” Galaxy says, and takes a drink. Trav chuckles.

Penn shakes his head. “I don’t even like to do that for myself.”

“Hence your lack of dates,” D-Low tells him.

The big goalie just shrugs.

“Did you catch the Houston game?” Galaxy asks, voice quiet like he doesn’t want to be overheard.

“Obviously not.” D-Low laughs. “We were busy.”

“What happened?” I ask. There’s something in the way Galaxy glances around and shifts on his feet that tells me it isn’t good.

“Aven got another game misconduct,” he says.