Page 45 of Hung Up
After a few cuss words and banging my head against the mirror when I couldn’t get the lashes lined up correctly before the glue dried too much to stick to my eyelid, I finally take a step back and glance at the outfit I have picked for tonight. Something inside me was saying,Wear something that’ll get Jesse’s heart racing—we’re not going to talk about it, okay?—and I think this outfit is going to do just that.
I bought myself a pair of light denim bell-bottom overalls, which I have over the top of a white lace see-through long-sleeved cropped shirt. A large brown belt buckle hugs my waist, my fingers sporting a few beautiful rings I saw at the vendor fair.And I’ll be finishing off the look with the white and blue boots that Jesse was so kind—yet overstepped, but I’m not returning them—to get me.
Stepping out of the bathroom, I head for the door, passing the dresser on my way there, which is holding the newest flowers from that smooth bull rider, along with another note:
I love hearing you scream my name. Maybe today you can finally cheer for me. I’m told that kind of thing can be good luck.
Of course I mentioned to him that my attendance was as lucky as he was going to get, and he responded something along the lines of, “I don’t know about that. I planned on getting lucky tonight.” I’m pretty sure my response to that was my usual, “If you’re lucky, Pretty Boy.” And somehow I was surprised when it came back to me being his good luck charm, so technically he’s always lucky.
I don’t know, the interaction made more sense in the moment.
I’m in my boots, out the door, in and out of the elevator, and out of the hotel lobby into the street before I know it, heading toward the bar. It was just supposed to be the riders, Maxine and me tonight, but unfortunately, Stetson had to go and invite my whole team. If Evyn and Laila show, I won’t be upset, but Adam? God, I’m praying he knows better and keeps his ass locked in his hotel room. However, knowing him, he’s going to find a way to ruin my night.
Maxine is waiting for me outside the bar when I approach, her bright red hair curled in loose waves over a white short-sleeved crop top, which she paired with a distressed pair of bell-bottom jeans and what she claims is her favorite pair of boots.She gives me a hug before reaching for my hand and dragging me inside.
This bar isn’t as loud as the last one, but it’s still just as packed, the dance floor so tight that everyone is basically dancing shoulder to shoulder. The bar itself isn’t as busy, so we head over to gather our refreshments for the night: a beer for Maxine and a vodka soda for me. I scan the crowd, looking to see if any of the riders or my team has shown up yet, and to my surprise, I catch sight of Laila with her arms wrapped around the neck of some cowboy who has his head dipped so they’re cheek to cheek.
And she’s not the only one who seems to have found themselves a partner for the night; Evyn has his hand laced through one of the riders as he spins him around on the dance floor before they end up chest to chest, Evyn’s arms wrapping around the riders neck before he closes the gap between them and kisses him. I can’t stop the smile from growing on my face before I take a sip out of my straw and turn to Maxine.
“Okay,” I say, setting my drink down on the bartop. “You got me here. Now what?”
She grins. “Now we find you a cowboy.”
“Not a chance in hell,” I reply instantly. My mind drifts to Jesse before I say, “No cowboys for me, thank you.”
“Come on, Faith,” she groans, grabbing my hands as she gives me pleading eyes, and I bite my lip in an attempt to hide my smile at her desperation. “I thought you were finally warming up to these riders.”
“Just because I’m warming up to them doesn’t mean I want one.”
Besides, I think to myself.I kind of already have one.
And speak of the devil. I spot Jesse walking in through the door with the rest of the boys behind him, and like a magnet, his eyes land on me instantly. His face lights up at the sight of me,and I need to stop myself from thinking about the different ways I plan on having him later when I can get him away from his friends and back to my hotel room.
Kai pushes ahead of the group and reaches us first, throwing an arm around Maxine and me before placing a brief kiss on the top of each of our heads—well, the top of Max’s head and the side of mine due to our height similarities. Once he lets go and tries to flag down the bartender, I turn to see Jesse now just a few feet away with his hand extended in my direction. My forehead creases as I raise a questioning brow.
“I know you hate dancing, but give it a chance.” I close my eyes briefly as a smile tugs at my lips. “Please, Sweetheart?”
Before I can respond, Stetson steps in. “If she’s going to be dancing with anyone, it’s gonna be me, Hayes. I’m the better line dancer, after all.”
“I’m sorry, you must be mistaken.” Jesse crosses his arms over his chest as he faces Stetson. “Last time I checked, you learned from watching YouTube videos. You didn’t learn in a bar like I did.”
Stetson rolls his eyes. “Oh, excuse me. Not everyone can grow up in a small town in the middle of nowhere and dance in a bar called Dusty’s.”
“It’s called The Tumbleweed,” Jesse grumbles, which only causes Stetson to laugh. “Besides, you grew up in a small town, too, last time I checked. Remind me, where’s Muleshoe?”
“It’s got about two thousand more people than your town does, Fatass McGee.”
“What did you just call me?”
I take a step forward, putting myself between the two. “You two have the weirdest fucking fights.” Gesturing to the dance floor, my gaze drifts between them. “If I agree to go out there, will you please stop whatever the hell this is?”
I’m surprised when Stetson wordlessly intertwines his hand with mine and begins to drag me onto the dance floor despite Jesse’s protests. He trails behind us as we shove through the crowd, trying to find a gap big enough for the three of us. One song ends and another begins, some people migrating off the floor but most staying put. With Stetson on my right and Jesse on my left, I feel a knot form in my stomach as my eyebrows furrow, watching everyone else around me begin to move in a very particular, choreographed way.
Fuck me, am I nervous? Embarrassed?
Jesse’s hand suddenly curls around my wrist and pulls me so I’m standing in front of him. My breath hitches in my throat as his hands land on my hips, his lips dipping close to my ear as he whispers, “Just relax and follow our lead, Sweetheart.”
I nod as I see Stetson take a step closer to me out of the corner of my eye before he gestures down to his feet. Watching carefully, I try to mimic his actions as Jesse pulls my hips and kicks at my heels to signify which foot is supposed to be doing what.
