Page 29 of Waiting For Fate

“Not until we hit the dance floor at least.” She lifts a brow at Matty as we all start walking towards Knockin’ Boots Line Dance Bar & Grille.

As soon as we walk through the door the energy is electric. The smell of burgers on the grill hits me first and my stomach begins growling its demand for one. We grab a table right off the dance floor furthest from the band in an attempt to still be able to hold a conversation as the music plays. Our first two rounds of beer come and once we’ve all eaten to our satisfaction, some of the guys start to hit the dance floor.

“You dance, Clark?” Matty yells, leaning closer to hear my answer.

“Oh yeah. I would wipe the floor with all of you,” I admit, making him rear back as his brows reach his hairline.

“Big talk, prove it.”

“I don’t dance without a partner,” I argue. Matty leans over to whisper in Lyssa’s ear, and as soon as she smiles at me, I know I’m not getting out of whatever is about to happen.

“Then let’s dance, Cowboy.” She holds her hand out and I shake my head at Matty.

“Don’t blame me when your girl falls in love with the swagger.” I dust the shoulder of my shirt for show, making Matty bark out a laugh as he holds up three fingers.

“Scouts honor.”

Lyssa and I walk over to the dance floor and as soon as the next song starts, we fall in line with everyone else. It’s fast-paced but the majority of people on the floor seem experienced enough to stay out of each other’s way. We spin, dip and glide across the floor until both of us are laughing so hard my cheeks hurt.

She stands on her toes and yells into my ear, “Damn, you are really good at this, Cowboy.”

“Thank ya ma’am.” I tip my invisible hat to her.

“I think I’m ready for another drink, how about you?” I nod and spin her once more allowing her to lead the way back to our table.

“Alright, alright, we get it. You can dance,” Matty says jokingly as Lyssa sits down on his lap. I hold my hands up and give him a cocky smirk.

“Told ya.” We finish one last beer while I explain that my dancing is not a natural gift, but a direct result of my parents’ line dancing with me and my siblings every chance we got growing up.

“That’s so fun! And by the looks of it, it's a tradition you’ll be able to pass down to your kids one day as well.” When I look over at Lyssa her face is as white as a ghost. She begins rubbing her neck like she doesn’t feel good, and I can see every sign in the book that she’s about to throw up.

“Umm, Lyssa, you feeling okay?” I make eye contact with Matty and nod to Lyssa. When he catches a glimpse of her, concern washes over him as well.

“Shit, baby. Let’s get you outside.” We all stand to walk out since we’ve already paid our bill when Matty turns to me.

“I’m gonna pull the car around so she doesn’t have to walk that far. You cool to hang with her while I do?”

“Of course. We’ll be right outside.” Matt runs out the door and I wrap one arm around her as her body feels almost limp. We’re halfway to the door when her head shoots back upright.

“Shoot, I forgot my phone,” Lyssa mumbles.

“I’ll grab it.” I prop her up against an empty bar stool near the exit and head back over to the table to retrieve it.

I’m almost there when someone not so gently bumps into my shoulder. I know that Nashville is a crowded place, but there’s nothing that pisses me off more than someone not having the common courtesy to not run directly into another person. I turn around, ready to put whoever it is in their place, until I see those familiar green eyes boring into mine.

“Sorry ‘bout that.” Leah has me leveled with her stare when an arm wraps around her waist, pulling her closer. It’s only then that I tear my eyes away from hers and see who she’s with.

I feel my blood turning to lava as her perfect hips sway back and forth watching her walk out of here with fucking Jackson. He’s still facing the exit, but I have the mind to chase after her and throw her over my shoulder to make sure she doesn’t go home with him when I hear Lyssa call me from across the room.

“Sawyer! I’m dying over here.” I see Leah glance over her shoulder once more between Lyssa and me before walking out the door, tucking herself further under Jackson’s arm.

My hands involuntarily ball into fists when I think about where they’re going to end up when they leave here, but I do my best to push those thoughts out and make my way back over to the bar to take Lyssa outside like I told Matty I would.

“Thank you,” she mumbles as we get out into the cold fresh air. When a gust of wind blows by I see her whole body shake and since I’m used to the cold and didn’t bring a jacket I gently rub my hands along her arms to keep her warm.

“Let me guess, a jacket didn’t match your outfit?” I smirk as she looks up at me and half smiles.

“How’d you know?” She rolls her eyes.

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