Page 19 of Every Single Vow
It’s been two hours, and we've ridden every single ride. I even won her a stuffed bear that was almost as big as her.
“This was great, Coop.” She grins up at the stars dotting the dark sky. “I want to come every year.”
A scoff comes from beside me, and I turn to see Rhodes McDowell, and a few other guys from school approaching.
“I didn’t think a Mayson would be slumming it.” Rhodes slips a flask from his back pocket.
The fact he’s fifteen and openly drinking at a county function shows just how stupid he really is.
“Excuse me?” I roll my shoulders back.
He lifts his chin in Dakota’s direction. “Sterling, right?” He eyes Dakota. “On the wrong side of town ain’t ya?”
I take a step forward, just as Parker places a palm on my chest.
“Fuck off, Rhodes.” Parker shakes his head. “Leave her alone.”
Rhodes gives Parker a light shove. “What are you going to do about it? Huh?”
Dakota’s voice sails through the tension. “He ain’t worth it, Parker.”
Rhodes’ gaze whips to Dakota, as her eyes remain hard and narrowed on him.
“Why don’t you crawl back into the gutter you came from trailer trash,” he sneers.
That was it.
My lungs burn, my pulse thrashes, and without a single ounce of hesitancy, I ball up my fist, and clock him right on the chin.
Rhodes falls to his back, wailing as my dad and a few other people come rushing over.
“What’s going on here?” Dad barks.
“Nothing.” He scrambles back, obviously not wanting to let on that he’s been drinking. “We were just leaving.”
My hand throbs as I shake it out, my rage still burning hot in my veins. But when a small, soft hand slides into mine, all that rage evaporates.
Dakota squeezes twice and my breathing slows.
“It’s time to head out.” My dad faces me. “Dakota, you got a ride?”
“Oh… yeah.” She releases my hand and wraps her arms around the bear. “Y’all go ahead.”
I reluctantly leave, my chest filled with an unfamiliar feeling. When we climb in the truck, my dad doesn’t say much since Ivy and Parker are in the backseat. When he slows down just a few minutes down the road, I see a figure walking alone. Holding a stuffed bear.
My father rolls down his window.
“Dakota.” His voice isn’t angry, but it’s strained. “Hop in.”
She hesitates long enough to realize that he isn’t leaving before she climbs in beside Ivy.
“Cute bear.” Ivy smiles.
“Thanks. Muscles up there won it for me.”
Her tone is light. Like her walking home in the dark is completely normal.
“What’s your address, Dakota?”
