Page 74 of Confessions of a Carpool Captive
The song ends, but we don’t stop swaying, even when the music picks up speed.
“I don’t believe that for a second. Any man who needs a fifty-pack of condoms must have a lot of practice.”
He huffs out a breath in frustration. “I told you those aren’t mine.”
“Yeah, yeah, I heard you the first time and I still don’t believe you.”
I attempt to push away from him and off the dance floor, but he pulls me back. “Where do you think you’re going?”
“Umm, back to the table?”
“It’s almost midnight. Just stay here and dance with me.”
“I can’t dance!” I shout as he tries to move with me.
A second later, Ernesto, Kel, and Emerson join us on the dance floor and Finn releases me.
“It’s almost time!” Kel shouts.
“Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five…”
I shout the numbers in unison with the entire bar. When midnight hits, confetti falls from the ceiling. It’s like snow, only better. I can’t see anything. I feel Kel grab me.
“Happy New Year, Lizard.” He kisses the side of my head. I turn into Ernesto and hug him. Then Emerson pulls me into an embrace as well. I spin around in search of the one person I want more than anything. He finds me first.
“Happy New Year, Liz.”
He doesn’t move to touch me and my heart aches. I want him, then I don’t. I kiss him, then I push him away. He’s become my personal punching bag. It’s not right. I need to make a decision about him once and for all.
He smiles and stuffs his hands into his pockets. Knowing I can’t blame it on the alcohol this time, I decide to take another risk with my heart. I step forward and wrap my arms around his neck.
“Aren’t you ever going to make a move on me?”
“I thought you just wanted to be friends?” he asks.
I shrug my shoulders. “That was last year. This year, I want you to take me home. With you.”
