Page 10 of One of Them Girls

He gives me a flirty smile. “Do I get to watch you dance?”

That warm feeling is back. He’s flirting with me. I kind of like it. “You can watch all you want, friend.”

He winces, but laughs as I stroll away, finding my spot on the dance floor.

As I move with the rest of the crowd, I feel his eyes on me. Almost like they are burning a hole into my skin. I don’t know why, but with him watching me, it makes me want to do better. Swivel my hips sexier. Kick higher. It’s empowering knowing he was watching me.

I stay out for three songs before coming back to find him with a fresh glass of water next to him.

“You didn’t poison it, did you?”

He laughs. “You trusted me to watch your drink, but you don’t trust a new one?”

“Fair point. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” He smirks, taking a drink of his own water. “So Cassandra, what made you decide to come out tonight?”

“You can call me Cassi since we’re friends and all,” I tease. “Not much to do around here. Same ol’ stuff, different podunk town, so why not go dancing?”

“I wouldn’t call Carver podunk. I’ve driven through some small towns. And last I checked, over thirty thousand residents isn’t podunk.”

I take a second to think. “True. I guess I feel like it’s confining because I’ve only ever lived here. I haven’t traveled much.”

“You grew up in Lubbock?”

“Well, close enough. I’m from Ropesville. It’s about thirty minutes outside of here. Get too far off this main area and there’s nothing but steers and ranches.”

“Not going to lie, I can’t imagine living like that, but it sounds pretty awesome. I’ve lived in cities most of my life. The hustle gets real old real quick. When I was younger, I thought it was glamorous, but now it’s….” He trails off.

“Too much?”

“Impersonal? It feels impersonal. Not like here. I feel like every person I meet wants to be my friend. It’s a different atmosphere completely.”

I chuckle. “Good ol’ small town USA. Where your neighbor treats you like you’re his next of kin. Hell, he might be.”

“Like one big happy family, huh?”

“Something like that. At least we aren’t somewhere like Alabama, where to get married you have to take a DNA test to prove you aren’t related,” I say, making him laugh.

I shake my head. “I’m being serious. It could be worse.”

“Well, fuck. That’s kind of creepy.” He cringes.

“Don’t worry, city boy. No way you’re related to any of my kin. Not with style like that,” I tease.

“Thank god for small favors.” He winks.

My watch vibrates, making me look down.

Timer: time to head home.

I sigh. Just when things were getting started.

“Everything okay?”

“Yeah, I just need to head back to the dorms.” I look around, trying to find Mara. “Looks like I need to find a new ride,” I murmur, watching her make-out with some guy on the dance floor.

“How about I drive you back,” Xavier offers.

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