Page 48 of The Slayer
“Yeah, I dance.” Wyatt gestured to himself. “You think I can’t dance?”
“I—” Chuito opened his mouth in stunned disbelief. “I don’t—” He shook his head. “I just didn’t—”
“I guarantee you it’s a line-dancing place,” Alaine said into his ear and then giggled. “I promise. Ask him.”
Chuito narrowed his eyes at Wyatt. “What kinda club?”
“It’s a country-western club.”
Alaine burst into giggles on the phone.
“No,” Chuito told him. “I’m not going line dancing with you.”
“It’s not only line dancing,” Wyatt argued. “It’s all kinds of dancing, and they have a mechanical bull if you don’t want to dance. I’ve been there a dozen times. You’ll like it. They got burgers and peanuts and beer.”
“Wyatt, no,” Chuito told him firmly. “I cannot be seen in some cowboy club the night I win a title belt. My people will disown me.”
“Well, what kinda club were you thinking of?”
“A Latin club,” Chuito countered. “Don’t you think, if I’m going out, I should represent?”
“Does that matter?”
“Yes, it matters. If you want to go dancing, it’s got to be a Latin club.”
Wyatt considered that for a long time before he shrugged. “I’m sure I could do that. This is your night. You’re supposed to enjoy yourself. If you wanna go to a Latin club, I’m game. Jules will probably love it. Is there food?”
“No, probably not. We just dance.”
“Not even snacks? Quesadillas or something?”
“Carajo,” Chuito cursed as he looked at Wyatt, still wearing his Cellar shirt from the fight and faded jeans. “You have to change, Wyatt. Normal clubs in Vegas have dress codes. Do you have something nicer to wear?”
“You just won a title belt.” Wyatt looked at him pointedly. “We’ll get in.”
“Oh my God.” Alaine laughed on the phone. “Please tell me you’re gonna take video of this.”
Chuito laughed with her. “I’ll take video. We’ll make him salsa.”
“Do you salsa?” Alaine still sounded very amused.
“I’m Boricua. Knowing how to salsa is built into my genetics.” He grinned. “Sí, I salsa, mami.”
“I wish I could salsa with you,” she whispered, suddenly nostalgic. “I want to see you dance.”
“We’ll dance,” he promised her. “You want to dance. I can dance. I’ll do that for you.”
“Okay.” She sounded pleased. “Go have fun.”
Chapter Fifteen
Garnet County
June 2011
It was raining the day Alaine graduated.
Not a mild rain either, but one of those really violent storms that were a bit early for the start of June. If she were superstitious, she would worry that it was a bad sign.
