Page 12 of Tastes Like Watermelon Moonshine
“But why is it okay for some, but not for others? That just doesn’t make sense to me. Shouldn’t there just be one long list of rules that all Christians follow?”
“Well, it’s hard to explain.” Carson scratches his head. “The book of Romans covers it, but basically you can do anything that doesn’t ruin your relationship with God. And for each Christian it might be different. For some, drinking alcohol is wrong, no matter what, but for others it doesn’t ruin their relationship with God.”
I don’t butt into the conversation. I love watching Austin’s faith and understanding grow. Once Austin’s curiosity seems satisfied he turns his attention back to me.
“Are you having a good time?” I smooth a hand over my pink skirt as it glitters and shimmers in the light from the disco ball.
“As long as you’re next to me, it’s a good time.” He gives me a smile that I know is only for me. Austin wipes his hands on his pants as he clears his throat. “Did you want to dance?” He adjusts the belt on his outfit, his nervousness obvious.
“With you? Of course.” My cheeks heat and I bite my lip. “But I should warn you that I’m not a very good dancer.”
“Me neither, so don’t worry.” He grins down at me, and anticipation shivers through me as I think about him holding me close on the dance floor.
“Here, let me take the trash. Get your dancing shoes on.” He takes the trash and disappears. I can’t help but wonder… Will we dance close, almost like a hug, or will it be something super awkward?
Austin walks back slowly, and I don’t miss the way he wipes his hands off on his pants. He sucks his lower lip into his mouth as he holds out a hand to me.
I slip my little hand into his large one. It’s rough and calloused, but feels perfect in mine. Heat races from my hand up my arm and to my face. I blow out a breath as his eyes flit backand forth between my two eyes. Then he licks his lips and my eyes get stuck there.
I finally tear my eyes from his lips and go back to gazing into the dark green pools that are his eyes.The Monster Mashstarts playing and before I can form a word he grabs my other hand and we start dancing.
“This song always makes me giggle.” So far we’re just swinging our hips to the song as we hold hands, but some of the other kids are doing the choreographed version.
Once the song is done the DJ segues right into another song, this one slower. Some of the couples are dancing a little closer now, gazing into each other’s eyes like love sick puppies. Austin and I continue with our swaying, having moved a little closer, but there's about the distance of a Bible between us, just like kids in youth group used to joke about keeping a Bible between dating couples at all times.
“This song is the style everyone loved back in Atlanta. It meant they could dance really close.” I watch as his cheeks darken and I wonder if he’s trying to tell me that he wants to hold me closer.
“It’s sure got a fun beat to dance to.” I giggle as we start to sway to the rhythm ofI Put a Spell on You. I stare up into his face. No one else in the room matters. Just us, in this moment.
The slow song brings more people to the dance floor, and I start feeling a little claustrophobic. My pulse is racing, some from Austin’s nearness and partly from the crowd on the dance floor. “Wanna dance in the grass outside?” I ask with a raspy voice. “My feet are getting tired of my boots, and the floor is getting crowded.”
“The music is loud enough, so we could still dance outside, or just sit and talk.” He looks down at me, one side of his mouth flirting with me in a special smile he only shares with me.
“Ooh, let’s dance in the grass.”
His large hand envelops mine as he gently tugs me off the dance floor and out the open barn door.
The cool October air blows across my skin, lowering my temperature just a little bit. I lean against the barn door and remove my boots. I wiggle my toes in the grass, and it feels so good. We’re not the only ones who needed some cooler air, but most of the other couples out here are busy making out. The smooth grass pokes up between my toes, and I can’t help but sigh.
The first few strains of Frank Sinatra’sWitchcraftfloat through the open barn door.
“One more dance,” I whisper. “This song is nice and slow.” I intertwine my fingers with Austin’s. He spins me and pulls me up against his chest. My heart is racing like a horse as I lay my palms on his chest. I’ve never felt a guy's chest before. It’s so flat, and I can feel the muscles rippling under his clothes.
I stare at my hand on his chest, then slowly raise my eyes to his chin. Then his lips. They’re firm, and grinning, bewitching me, just like the song says. There’s stubble dusting his jaw, and my fingers itch to feel it. I take in his perfect nose. Then those eyes. Deep green eyes. They’re so dark, and dare I say, sexy? My cheeks heat. Oh gosh, my heart is about to beat out of my chest just like a little hummingbird.
Without thinking, I move my hands from his chest and I clasp them behind his neck. His hair has grown since I first met him, and the silky curls brush my fingers. I stifle a sigh.
The moon and open barn door bathe us in soft light. I could almost swear we’re in a movie. We’re just swaying together, his arms keeping me from slipping to the ground in a puddle of mush. I’m losing myself in his gaze. I lay my head against his chest, his heartbeat filling my ears. I don’t want this song or embrace to end.
The song ends, despite my wishful thinking. We stand there, holding each other, for what feels like ages, but I’m certain it’s probably just a few minutes. “I don’t want this to end, but my feet are tired and I want to sit.” I murmur into his chest.
He slowly pulls back, his arms still holding me against him. “We can go and sit there by the barn. What time will they start the hayride?” He removes his arms, and I feel a chill. Hand in hand we walk to the wall of the barn.
“It should start in about thirty minutes.” Slowly sinking to the ground, we lean our backs against the barn. Austin unwraps the tulle holding my hat in place, then removes my hat. Heat erupts as his eyes caress my face. I feel like he’s counting every freckle on my face. I blow at a stray hair and turn so I can see his face. “That was so much fun, I kinda wish they’d done the hayride first. This part is more fun.”
Austin leans his shoulder against mine. “The slower pace here is growing on me. The quietness too.” He shakes his head. “The few parties I went to in Atlanta were always so crazy, but this… It’s comfortable. We can just be us.” He waves a hand. “Just sitting, surrounded by couples making out… Which of course, happened at those parties as well.” He laughs, and my heart stutters at the sound.
“It could be worse… What if it were the cattle surrounding us? Mooing, and… farting.” I giggle. I interlace my fingers in my lap, wondering if I should, if I could… Wanting to twine them with his. It would be different than when I did it while we danced. I could focus on the feel of his skin on mine, on the way our hands fit perfectly together.
