Page 76 of Fox
“Quit being dicks, and go get us some beers.” Janie snaps at the two. They offer a simultaneous “Yes, Mom,” before walking away. I hear the music starting up, and people start heading to the middle dance floor. I shift uncomfortably.Fuck, am I supposed to ask her to dance?Janie is focused on her phone,but I see her swaying back and forth to the beat. I look around and notice other men taking their partners to the dance floor, and I want to run. I don’t dance. I’m not coordinated in that way. I’m old, extensive, and covered in tattoos; nothing about me screamsslow dance.
Janie’s staring out at the dance floor, and I can see the longing look on her face, and I groan inwardly.
“You uhh... You don’t want to do that, do you?” I ask her nervously as I motion my head toward the floor. She smiles shyly, and fuck, she looks so pretty. I feel shitty that if she says yes, I’m just going to embarrass her out there.
“Nope.” Her answer is short, and her smile is fake.
“Liar,” I smirk and watch the panic on her face appear.
“Okay,” she sighs. “Maybe a little, but I’ll survive without it.”
“I could dance with you if you want.” God, was this t-shirt always this fucking tight? I see her expression brighten. Shit, I’m going to have to dance.
“Really?” she asks, her voice full of hope. I give her a nervous smile as I offer her my hand before taking her out to the dance floor.
“I’m not very good at this,” I admit as I place my hands on her hips. She smiles up at me as we continue to sway back and forth.
“I think you’re doing amazing.” She beams, and I can’t help but lean down and kiss her softly as we continue our little dance that I’m sure is less dancing and more rocking.
“I like you.” She whispers softly as she rests her head on my chest. I feel my heart constrict, and I kiss the top of her head.
“I like you too, baby doll.”
THIRTY
janie
“Wait.” Ren sets her coffee cup down while staring at me in shock. “YougotFoxto dance? Not only dance but dance in public?” I can’t help the smile pulling at my lips as I shyly nod, remembering the festival two nights ago.
Ren, Sunday, and I came toNuts About Doughto hang out with Stevie on her break so I could tell them all about how my first official date with Fox went.
“It was so sweet,” I say excitedly. “I mean, he’s absolutely the worst dancer. You get that man doing more than a little sway, and he’s stepping all over you. But he tried, and that meant so much to me.” I sigh dreamily as I hold my hands to my chest.
Stevie blinks her eyes slowly. “It’s so adorable that I may vomit.” I playfully hit her before sipping on my drink.
I turn my attention to Ren. “So, how are things with Andrew?” Ren visibly stiffens as she fidgets with her mug.
“Fine,” she says quickly. “I’m going out with him again this weekend to look at new furniture for my apartment. He isn’t a fan of the books I have everywhere.”
I frown and give her a quizzical look. “Is this somethingyouwant to do?” Something with this man is off, and I can’t put my finger on what it is. I just know my sleazeball gauge is never wrong.
Ren gives a half-shrug, still fidgeting with her mug. “I was actually hoping to rest this weekend. I don’t know; I’ve been feeling really run down lately. I think it’s the added stress at work or something. But Andrew has some party he’s going to on behalf of the firm, so he tol—asked me if I wanted to go with him, and then we would go shopping the next day.”
Stevie, Sunday, and I all exchange knowing looks. Ren slipped, and we heard it. I look at my usually brighter-than-the-sun friend. The last couple of weeks, she’s looked so exhausted. She has dark circles under her eyes and worry lines; even her hair looks dull.
“Babe,” I say softly, reaching across the table and grasping her hand tightly. “You know, if you need to tell us anything, you can. We love you.”
Ren’s eyes snap up, and she recoils from my touch as if I burnt her. “Don’t use that crap on me.” She hisses while scooting her chair back to stand up. “I’m not some dumb, helpless little girl. I’m a lawyer, for fuck’s sake. My mother is a skilled surgeon, my father is a judge! You don’t get to look at me with pity like that. I’ve got to go.”
Sunday goes to walk after Ren, but I stop her and shake my head. I didn’t mean to, but I backed Ren into a corner, and she saw no other way out. Going after her now would only cause her to lash out more. Once I see Ren’s Rav4 peel out of the parking lot, I let out a breath. “Do we think it’s physical?”
Stevie takes a sip of her drink. “Maybe a shove, but I don’t think he’s physically hurting her yet, at least not enough to where she feels the need to hide her body.” I nod. That’s true, Ren had been wearing a halter tunic top and capris.
“Unless he’s hitting her in spots that will stay hidden,” I mutter.
“Who is he again?” Sunday asks while crossing her toned arms over her chest, and I can see the fury in her eyes. Sunday takes no shit from anyone. And I’m sure she’ll gladly take a bat to him if need be.
“Andrew Cambridge.” I spit his name out like it’s poison.
