Page 25 of Ocotillo Kisses
Chapter Ten
Concame in from the barn early Friday evening, because Austin had messaged him that they were going to Kimmel tonight to go dancing. Ginny’s grandpa’s band had gotten back together and were playing the dance hall. They hadn’t been out to the dance hall in a long time, and honestly, Con could do with the distraction.
As he walked in, his mom was coming down the hall from her room. She wore what he thought was a new dress, at least he didn’t remember it, and she had on full make-up, including lipstick, something she hadn’t worn in a while, and sparkly earrings.
“What are you all dressed up for?” Con asked .
“Britt is coming to take me to the dance hall in Kimmel to listen to the band we booked for the Fourth of July.”
“You...” He couldn’t quite wrap his mind around what he’d heard. Instead of going with the obvious question about why she was going with his former girlfriend, he asked, “You booked a band you hadn’t heard?”
She gave a flip of her hand. “No, I mean, they sent us a demo, or whatever you call it, but they’re playing tonight over in Kimmel, so we are going to go listen to them and maybe have a beer or two.”
His mother. Drinking beer at the dance hall. With Britt.
So his plans were blown. He’d text Austin shortly to let him know not to expect him. He wouldn’t tell why.
“Do you—think—” He couldn’t even form the words to express his confusion.
“I’m sorry that her being around bothers you, but I’ve missed her. It is good to see her grown up and happy.”
She paused like she was waiting for him to agree, but he couldn’t chime in on that. Part of him was glad she was happy, part of him was resentful of it, part of him just didn’t want to think about it any more.
He’d thought a lot about his conversation with Poppy earlier this week. Why was he letting someone he’d been with for a fraction of the time he’d been without her control his life, his thoughts, his emotions? He was feeling ridiculous about it. Three years with her. Four times as long without her. And still giving her too much power.
“Y’all go have fun, don’t drink too much.” He started for the stairs, ready for a shower after a long day. He might pop open a beer and watch some playoff basketball. That sounded like a good evening. He couldn’t remember the last time he had the house to himself. He’d make the most of the change in plans.
––––––––
“Oh, I haven’t been here in ages,” Alexis exclaimed as she and Britt walked through the doors of the barn-like dance hall on the highway east of Kimmel. “Vic and I used to come dancing here a lot when we were younger, before he got so busy with the ranch.”
“It looks like a lot more fun now than it did when I left,” Britt agreed. Of course, the last time she’d been, she’d been underage, and they’d had to wear wristbands, so they could only dance, not drink or play pool.
She motioned to a table on the edge of the dance floor, not too far from the stage, but not too close, either. She scanned the people in the hall, wondering if anyone she knew was here, and even if they were, if they’d have anything to do with her. Ginny had made it clear that most of the people who remained in Broken Wheel took Con’s side over Britt’s. She could understand that, but knowing it didn’t make her want to spend time with anyone. She didn’t have the desire to win anyone over. She wasn’t going to be here long enough to worry about that.
But once she got Alexis settled, and she saw there were no waitresses, that she’d have to go into the bar to get her drink herself, she once more scanned to see if anyone she knew was around.
And yep, Sofia Aguilar and Caleb Pearson sat side by side at one of the picnic-style tables, heads bent together. Britt’s first thought was that they were talking about her, but maybe they hadn’t seen her. She walked past with a slight wave, and Sofia straightened up in her seat.
“Britt, hey, what are you doing here?”
The words sounded more accusatory than friendly.
