Page 83 of Home Field Advantage
The last thing I need to be doing is dancing on a bar.
But it’s my sister.
It’s Blair
It’s Nan.
It’s my brother’s bar.
It’s all in good fun.
You know what? Screw it.
This time, I’m the one to grab Lily by the wrist, guiding her behind the bar for Griffin to give us a boost, too. I can tell by the look on his face that he hates everything about this, but obliges us anyway. He helps Lily first, and she quickly joins Blair, moving and swaying their hips with the beat as Nan continues belting the words of the song.
“Well, this is a first,” Griffin says with a smile.
“Don’t start,” I joke back, lifting myself to join them on the bar.
Music thrums in my chest, and my hips sway on their own. I feel lost in the music, and I love it. For the first time, there’s no negative thoughts flowing like a raging river through my head. It feels good. It feels free. Lifting my hands in the air, I close my eyes. Feeling the music reverberate through my body, I can’t help the huge smile that takes over at how much damn fun this is.
Nan keeps singing, her words louder and louder as the energy in the room grows. They love this.I love this. When I openmy eyes, they immediately connect with an intense stare from Dallas on the other side of the bar. We stay locked in that moment as I move my hips in a way I’ve never moved them before, letting my hands trail down my neck, down my body, until they find their place on my hips, still moving and swaying.
I don’t know who I think I am right now, but I’m addicted to the way he’s looking at me.
He’s looking at me like I’m the only woman in the bar.
He’s looking at me like I’m the answer to everything.
The only thing missing from his stare is his signature smile. There’s nothing but a hard set in his jawline, likely grinding his molars together. It’s the same jealousy as before, written all over his face. It’s not until he averts his gaze to his left and then back to me that I do the same.
Ben is watching me, and it instantly makes me feel uncomfortable. Did he see that mini performance I just put on for Dallas to see? He had to have.Dammit. It felt so good having Dallas watch me, and letting the music seep into my skin, that I didn’t even think about Ben being in the room.
I’m ready to jump off the bar and hide because I don’t want to give Ben any more ideas about flirting with me more, but I’m saved by the music ending. Griffin helps guide each of us off the bar, and I can tell he’s relieved the song is over.
I quickly excuse myself to the bathroom. Once inside, I splash some water on my face and look at myself in the mirror to see if any of my mascara has rubbed off under my eyes. Even with the heat blasting to keep it warm from the winter weather outside, I’m shocked I don’t look like a sweaty disaster after that.
When I exit the bathroom, my body collides with someone. Their hands grip my forearms, and I instantly hope it’s Dallas when I look up, but I know it’s not.
My body knows it’s not.
“There you are,” Ben says. “I was looking for you.”
“Yeah?” There’s a nervous squeak to my voice. “Sorry, I had to use the restroom.”
“I was wondering if you’d be up for that dance I asked about earlier tonight.”
I swallow, looking around to see if anyone else is here. Ben isn’t that type of guy, but he’s had some drinks in him. My gut is throwing up all sorts of red flags for this situation, as I feel backed into a quiet corner in front of him.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea. You know, since we work together and all.”
He takes a step toward me, and I try to move back, but a wall stops me. “Come on, Poppy. You know the gym teacher and the fifth-grade science teacher are dating. It’s a small town, so it’s inevitable that some people might be together and work together.” He reaches up to tuck my hair away from my face, and I flinch. “You can’t help who you fall for.”
“I just don’t think it’s a good idea, Ben.”
“Oh, stop. It’s fine.”
“She said it’s not a good fucking idea,Ben.”
