Page 11 of The Stranger's Code

“Be on time next time, and you won’t have to find out.”

Cameron whooped before he headed back towards the dance floor. I followed closely behind him, the lights overhead illuminating the floor below. Cameron got in the middle of the dance floor, falling into place in a perfect line…

But that was theonlyperfect thing about his dancing. His movements were confident but completely out of time with the music, his steps unfocused and fully confused. Still, the way he moved was captivating, even if it was wrong from head to toe. When one of his boots landed on mine, I caught him by the waist, gently guiding him back into the right formation.

“I love this song! Don’t you?” Cameron excitedly clapped, still in motion, even as I held him tight. “I almost saw her in concert last year, but things got too hectic.”

“I thought you’d been here for a little bit before I got here.”

“I have!”

“But your line dancing—” I couldn’t help but let out a small laugh. “Have you been following along with the people up front, at all? They’re the ones you need to watch if you’re going to learn.”

“I’m just line dancing to the beat of my own guitar.”

“Yes, you certainly are.” I pulled Cameron closer to my side. “Here. Just follow me, okay?”

A new song came on, thankfully one that I was familiar with. I moved in time to the song, kicking up my heels at the beat, playfully dipping my hat along with the chorus. Cameron was next to me, copying my every move, even as he added his own flair. Soon enough, he was nailing the dance, his movements fluid, his steps right where they needed to be.

“So, you are pretty good at line dancing, then?”

“I’m pretty good at a lot of things when I have the right teacher,” Cameron replied, still grooving along to the song. “Plus, you’re way more fun to keep an eye on than anyone else in this bar.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?—”

“Freestyle!” a voice called out near the front of the dance floor. “Grab your partner, round and round! It’s time to dance to the classics!”

“Woohoo!” Cameron’s eyes twinkled with something behind them, as he reached for my hands. “Dance with me?”

“How many beers have you had tonight, Cam?” I grinned down at him. “I’ve never seen you like this before.”

“Only one.” He scoffed before letting out a chuckle. “One beer, that is. I maybe had a few shots at the bar before getting out here to dance. I told you, I’ve never done this before. I kept imagining everyone pointing and laughing at me.”

“Nobody would ever point and laugh at you, Cam.” I eyed his outfit again, before I could stop myself. “Nothing about you says laughingstock, that’s for sure.”

“Why are you so good at dancing, by the way?” Cameron pressed. “Or is that just something cowboys are supposed to be good at?”

“I’ve done my fair share of line dancing. It’s a good way to connect with people.”

“Connect with people…” Cameron swayed his hips from side to side. “That’s a euphemism, right? For hooking up with people?”

“What makes you say that?”

“Don’t give me that, Levi. You know what you look like.”

“Tell me. What do I look like?”

Cameron brought his hands up to either side of my face, green eyes meeting mine. “I see you, Levi Stratton. That’s all I’m going to say.”

I smiled down at him, my hands resting on his waist. We were way too close to each other, but I didn’t care, something about our current stance feeling like second nature to me. Cameron didn’t seem to mind, either, his hands going from my face to my shoulders, the gap between us getting smaller and smaller.

When the song changed again, it was like coming out of a daze. Cameron and I separated, getting back into place for another round of line dancing. Later that night, as I drove us back to the ranch, I couldn’t stop smiling from ear to ear. Cameron was passed out in the passenger seat, tired from the day on the ranch and the night at the bar, none of it being helped by the alcohol in his veins.

I see you, Levi Stratton.

Something about it warmed me in such an unexpected way. I didn’t want to overthink it, especially since I knew that Cameron would be gone soon enough. Still, it was nice to have a connection like this, even if it was just a temporary friendship. Cameron didn’t want anything from me, not money, not access, not a meeting with my dad.

He just wanted to hang out with me, to go line dancing with me.

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