Page 75 of Fever Dream
“Would line dancing with your rival’s Goody Two-shoes little sister ruin your reputation?”
I take a sip of my bourbon and Coke, regarding her as the sugary drink slips down my throat.Goody Two-shoes?That’s not how I see her at all.
Trouble. Temptation. Tranquility.
Something about her soothes the restlessness inside of me. My eyes track the dark strands that lie flush against her cheek.
Yeah, I’d ruin my reputation several times over for this girl.
Which isn’t something I’ve ever felt before. It makes me want to duck and run. Tell her not to get her hopes up.
But I don’t. Ican’t.
Instead, I push to stand and extend my hand to her. “Yeah, but I’ll take my chances.”
She grins and slips her hand into mine without a second thought. I lead her onto the dance floor where we both fall into step.
Her black boots next to my brown ones. Her hips swaying. Her infectious smile.
She’s blinding. And dancing with her—even with this space between us—is… fun.
When the song ends, she lays a hand over her chest to catch her breath and spins away, taking in the room around her with such awe. It’s like she’s never been to a dive bar before.
I have to step away and take a break from gawking at her. Which is why I spot the guy coming from a mile away.
“May I?” he asks me, like I have a say in what he’s about to do.
I nudge my chin in Julia’s direction. “Ask her. I’m not in charge here.”
She turns at the sound of my voice, her eyes giving the guy a wary look.
“Saw you from across the bar and wondered if you wanted to dance?”
He asks her with a mix of politeness and nervousness. There’s nothingobjectivelywrong with the guy. He looks like he’s about her age, clean-cut—too clean-cut. Maybe it’s the baggy jeans and white sneakers. Maybe he’stoopolite. I can’t put my finger on why, but I decide I don’t like the guy.
From a brotherly perspective, that is. Parker would ice him out. Riley would eat him alive.
But Julia gives him an equally polite smile and says, “Sure,” right as the music changes and Shania Twain’s voice rings out through the bar.
I offer them both a nod and back away, my leaden feet dragging me toward a pillar beside the dance floor. With my shoulder braced against it, I cross my arms and watch Julia get spun around on the dance floor by some dopey-looking college bro.
The only reprieve I give myself from standing guard over her is to order another drink from our server when she passes by. When she returns with it, I sip at it, almost aggressively as I wait for this song to be over.
Who knew that “Any Man of Mine” was so painfully long.
Not me, that’s for fucking sure.
His hand on her waist. Their lips moving in friendly conversation. The poor guy has hearts in his eyes.
And who could blame him? She has that effect.
I shift my weight from foot to foot, antsy just having to stay away from her. I don’t know what this feeling is, but I don’t like it.
The moment the final note hits, I push off the chipped pillar and make a beeline for the girl in the red dress.
“Time’s up,” I grumble rudely before cutting in. There’s nomay Iordo you mind if.
I just take.
