Page 32 of Prideful Union
I’m jumping around in living room by the time Santino comes out to confront me.
He says something to me, but I can’t hear him over the music. I just shrug and continue dancing. Santino can try and stop me from living my life, but he can’t stop me from dancing.
I can tell he tries to speak louder, but the music drowns him out. “Sorry,” I say back, knowing full well he can’t hear me. “Can’t hear you.”
I shimmy my body, making a big show of what I’m doing. Let Santino think it’s obscene. Let him judge me for it. I thought Santino would be my prince charming, but that didn’t turn out to be the case. He’s turned out to be my nightmare.
But we all have to wake up at some point. I won’t be afraid of him. He can either join me or get lost.
He watches me for a moment before going over to the stereo and turning it off. The sudden quiet is so loud. “I told you to turn this down.”
“I couldn’t hear you. I was too busy dancing.” I strike a cute pose.
“Why?”
“Why am I dancing? Because it’s fun. Maybe you need to try it sometimes.”
He crosses his arms. “I don’t dance.”
“I told you you’re boring.”
“You shouldn’t be having fun.”
I strike another pose, which only seems to irritate him more, making me laugh. “Why not?”
“Because fun is for children.”
I scoff. “Fun is for every one of every age. Stop with your old stuffy views, Santino.” I strut over to the stereo and turn the music back on.
He immediately turns it off.
“Why do you even have a stereo if you never listen to music?”
“I listen to music,” he says. “Just not this loud.”
“But … isn’t listening to loud music … fun?”
He just stares at me.
“Oh, come on, Santino. Lighten up a little. And dance.” I turn the music on and resume showing off my moves.
Santino continues to watch me, not saying anything.
I shake my ass, knowing he’s looking at it. Let him look. Let him see what he’s missing by being such a miserable grump.
His eyes darken. “What are you doing?” he asks, turning the volume down without shutting it of completely. That’s progress at least.
“Dancing.”
“Your … gyrating.”
“Gyrating? Oh my god, Santino. You really sound like an old man, you know that?” I shake my ass again. “I know you like what you see.”
“How do you know?”
“Because I’m hot. Most men like what they see.”
“So sure of yourself.” He frowns. “I don’t like that in a woman.”
