Page 68 of Slots & Sticks
Sofia snickers. “Be honest. Is it when you want the silent treatment? He sings about as well as you do.”
Knova flutters her eyelashes at her friend. “Oh, did you want me to do the special rendition of the National Anthem just for you?”
“I’ll pay you twenty bucks for a reprise,” Knight says. “I don’t think Bowen got to experience that particular atrocity.”
Viktor stops singing, even as the music plays on. “Guys, come on, show a little respect. I’m singing here.”
“Barely,” Knight teases.
“Okay, fine, you try.” Viktor shoves the mic at him.
To everyone’s surprise, Knight’s rendition of “Take On Me” is pretty good. Quiet Sofia does a killer cover of “Hot to Go” that has all of us dancing along. Dot shakes her head when the mic comes to her, and for once, Viktor doesn’t push her. Music is a sore subject, what with Delilah’s passing.
“I’ll do one.” I hold out a hand. Dot is quick to hand off the mic, accompanied by a grateful smile. I don’t tell anyone my song choice until the music starts, and Dot snort-laughs when she realizes I’ve picked Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe.” I even add a dance routine to go along with it, so that I end up draped across Dot’s lap for the final upbeat notes.
By the time the limo is pulling up to Coach’s house to let us off, Dot is giggly and tipsy, and I’m feeling pretty good, too. We wave to the others as the limo pulls away.
“Oh!” Dot squeezes my arm. “Crap, we never got the car!”
“I guess we’ll need to go back for it, then, huh? Another night.” I kiss her temple. “We can get a ride.”
Across the street, Cash’s porch light flips on. He pokes his head out so that he can glare at us. “In most neighborhoods, when kids grow up, they leave!”
“Hi, Cash!” Dot waves her arm over her head and stands on her toes. “You’re the best! I love you!”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake.” Cash shakes his head and disappears back inside.
By this point, we’ve made such a racket that Bo and Skinbad are barking, which sets off other dogs up and down the street.
“Oops.” Dot titters behind her hand. “We’re bad at being quiet.”
“But we’re great at having a good time,” I remind her. “Come on, let’s get you inside.”
I lead her across the yard, warm from the day, her fingers curled into mine like she’s already pulling me close again.
Inside, the porch light goes off behind us, the door clicks shut, and suddenly, we’re alone. Quiet. Breathless.
Dot turns, presses her back to the door, eyes sparkling. She looks up at me like she’s working through a thought she hasn’t said out loud yet.
“You okay?” I ask.
She bites her bottom lip. “I just… I’ve been thinking about something.” Her gaze flicks downward, then slowly—so slowly—back up. “I want to try something.”
Jesus.
I nod, not trusting myself to speak.
Dot pushes off the door and closes the distance between us, hands sliding up my chest, warm and sure. “I’ve never… ya know. Done this before.”
“You don’t have to—”
“I want to.” Her voice is soft but strong. “I’ve thought about it. You. So much. And after tonight… I want to make you feel the way you make me feel.” She gives me the smallest, wickedest smirk. “Wrecked.”
I’m hard instantly. My blood roars in my ears.
She steps back and tugs me toward the couch, guiding me by the waistband of my jeans like she owns me—and God help me, she does. I sit. She kneels.
She. Kneels.
