Page 44 of Love is a Dance Step
“I messed up, didn’t I?”
“Ya think?” She sighed and got to her feet. “Come on. Let’s go greet the dancers. This time, don’t try to kiss any of them.”
* * *
By the time Drew made it to his parents’ house for dinner, he just wanted to go to sleep and forget about this day.
But he didn’t have that option. The moment he walked into the living room, Lizzy and Penny jumped from the couch and ran toward him. Lizzy crashed into his legs, but Penny veered around him to pepper Noah with a million questions.
Noah answered each patiently, but he was still subdued as he had been all day.
Eventually, Piper had ordered him to go back to Drew’s house and take a nap. They didn’t want him hanging around in his grumpy mood. So, it had been up to Drew, Piper, and Jo to judge the dancers.
And they found one.
Karen Henderson. She’d danced perfectly, not missing a single step. She had the flexibility, the quick learning, and the experience he needed. It wouldn’t be her first rock tour.
He’d asked Piper to give him one more day before offering her the contract. The label needed time to draw it up anyway, according to Melanie.
After a day spent watching a multitude of dancers—when he only wanted to see one—Drew needed a drink. He stepped into the kitchen to find Asher standing next to the fridge.
“Beer me?” Drew waited for his brother to respond, wondering if he’d ignore him completely.
Instead, Asher reached in and pulled out a Hazy Jane, tossing the can Drew’s way. Drew stared down at the familiar pink label, his favorite. But when he looked up to thank Asher, he’d already walked out.
Cracking the can, he took a long drink.
“Drew Alan.” His mom marched toward him and reached into a cabinet, pulling free a beer glass. She handed it to Drew. “We aren’t heathens.”
He kissed her on the cheek. “Keep telling yourself that, Ma.”
She swatted him away. “Glad you’re here, boy. Now… the grill. I was promised a night off.”
“I thought that was Dad’s job tonight.” He shot her an innocent smile.
She picked up a towel from the counter and snapped him with it. “Only if we want charred chicken. Go.”
“Aye aye.” He retrieved another beer and passed Noah and Jo. “Beer’s in the fridge.” He reached the porch and tossed the second beer to his dad. “Just don’t let mom know you’re a glass-less heathen.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” He winked.
It didn’t take long to finish cooking the chicken, and by the time he brought it in, the rest of the group was sitting around the large wooden dining table.
Piper and Nora had their heads together as they talked. Penny stared dreamily at Noah. Jo talked to Lizzy. Only Asher sat stone faced as their parents brought the rest of the food to the table.
It was almost enough to take his mind off Lola, off the fact he may have scared her off with one moment of weakness, one almost-kiss. Part of him wanted to break his promise, but the larger part knew he couldn’t. If she truly wanted to dance with him, she would.
Dinner was everything he needed, everything he didn’t have when he was away. Piper was right, Gulf City did have a wholesome vibe, a family vibe. He couldn’t have imagined growing up anywhere else.
As his mom started clearing the dishes, he jumped up to help her, but the buzzing of his phone in his pocket stopped him. When Leah’s name flashed across the screen, a rush of relief washed over him.
His mom looked at the phone in his hand. “I’ve got this, Drew. Tell Leah we said hello.”
He shot her a grateful smile before answering and bringing the phone to his ear. “Hey, stranger.”
“Me?” Leah’s laugh made him feel instantly better. “You’re the one who has been busy the last couple days. I’ve just been lying around letting Amy drive me crazy.”
Drew slipped out onto the lanai and sat in one of the Adirondacks. “She cares about you.”
