Teacher I Want To Date

by Kayla, Mia

  My time was shot, and so here I was.

  The Latin beat blasted in on my stereo, and I bounced my head, taking it in, closing my eyes, and visualizing my feet moving.

  Left forward. Step together.

  One. Two. Three.

  Five. Six. Seven. Eight.

  Don’t ask me about four. That was how the guy counted on the YouTube tutorial.

  I breathed in. Be one with the music. I repeated the mantra over and over and over, letting it seep into my skin, into my soul. I counted the steps, moving my feet and hips and arms.

  In another life, I’d been a salsa king—winner of all the medals and trophies. At least, I had to believe it. This was where the saying, Fake it till you make it, mattered. It was either that or admit I was a liar.

  And that was not a quality a woman wanted in a man she wanted to date.

  The timer on my watch went off, indicating it was time to get changed and leave. I’d checked my GPS days ago. It would take thirty minutes to pick up Gabby, and I planned to be there ten minutes before six—not too early, not too late, just on time. Brad and Sonia had agreed to meet us at the salsa club. I’d convinced him that they both needed a date night out, and surprisingly, Brad had told me Sonia was more than up for it.

  I slipped on my pants, buttoned up my shirt, and headed out the door. The sun was setting in front of me, shining on my newly waxed and vacuumed car. First impressions mattered, though I really wouldn’t count this as the actual first impression of me because her first impression of me had been as a pedophile. Tonight would be the night to make a good impression.

  * * *

  All four of us stepped into the club together. Gabby guided us past the roped-off area and the bouncers. She briefly greeted a few people as we made our way into the club.

  Red and white strobe lights flickered around us, and the smoke from some sort of smoke machine filled the area by the empty DJ booth. I squinted against the lights flashing across the room.

  Why am I here again? I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been at a salsa club. Actually, the last time was … never.

  I had never stepped into a salsa club. I bounced my head to the music in this weird kind of duck way while I repeated the mantra in my head and the steps from the YouTube video.

  People crushed against each other on the open wooden dance floor, moving to the beats of a live band on a stage in the front of the room. Twirling, twisting, dipping.

  Live band. Where the hell is the DJ?

  Red booths outlined the perimeter of the room around the wide dance floor. Where everyone was … yeah … dancing.

  “Oh, how fun!” Sonia said, taking everything in. “I’m not much of a dancer, but I’ve definitely always wanted to try salsa dancing.”

  “As long as you’re having fun, that’s all that matters,” Gabby said.

  They’d been chatting it up since they got here, talking about how long Gabby had been dancing and how she used to compete.

  Brad took in my attire and laughed. Again. He’d been laughing since he saw me earlier. “Why didn’t you call me before you got dressed today?”

  I groaned and wanted to hit that smirk off his pretty little face. “I have never let you dress me. Why would I start now?”

  He leaned in, so only I could hear. “Because you look like a clown in that bright red shirt. All you need is your red nose.”

  I’d bought a bright red button-down to go with my black slacks because that was what the guy on YouTube had been wearing, and judging by what people were wearing on the dance floor, my guess was anything went. It didn’t matter what Brad thought anyway because as soon as Gabby had opened the door when I picked her up, she’d laughed because we were matching. But after her initial reaction, I knew that tonight would be a good night.

  I gulped as I watched everyone move against each other, in sync with the music. Couples shook their bodies to the beat, men twirled their partners, hips shaking and body parts bouncing, but what I couldn’t get over was how fast their feet moved. One, two, and three. Their footwork was triple the speed of what I’d watched.

  I inhaled deeply and rubbed my clammy palms down my slacks. The back of my neck beaded with sweat. Let’s add my forehead to the mix. And I hadn’t even started dancing yet. Thank goodness for deodorant.

  Should I fess up now, before I make a fool of myself?

  Before I could get any words out, warm fingers intertwined with mine, and as I peered down at Gabby, her eyes shining, in that instant, I knew I’d fake it till I made it. I liked this salsa-loving, feisty girl, and there was no way I was going to ruin our date. I had already dressed the part. Now, I just had to sell it.

  I had regular moves on the dance floor. The side-to-side and bounce-the-head step, the point-to-the-Lord and raise-the-roof-and-shrug move, and there was always the point-over-the-shoulder, clap, and hip-breaker move. I could do this. I could so do this.

  Gabby moved in front of me, leading us to a booth in the back of the restaurant, her hips shaking to the beat of the music, her skirt riding up her thighs with the movements.

  Gabby had the best legs, lean and strong and so damn sexy, and for the life of me, I couldn’t stop picturing those legs wrapped around my hips.

  “I can’t wait to see you dance, Mason. Let’s see what those classes taught you!” she shouted above the music, pulling me through the crowd.

  Brad sidled up beside me. “Classes? When did you take classes?”

  When he laughed, I shot him a look, and my stare flickered to Sonia’s belly. Two could play at this game.

  Yes, I’ll tell everyone I know your girlfriend is pregnant if you sell me out.

  He scowled and turned toward the center of the room where people were getting their groove on. I just shook my head, overwhelmed and sweating profusely.

  Salsa dancing, merengue—I didn’t know what they were doing, but they were doing things I’d only seen on Dancing with the Stars.

  We followed Gabby to the edge of the room where she had reserved us a booth for four. Like the gentleman I was, I let her scoot in first, noticing how her caramel-brown locks were curled to perfection today. The way the red dress showcased her curves and left little to the imagination in the back left me breathless. It took a lot of effort for me not to stare at her every minute of the hour. We all sat down, and when she moved to grab the menu from the center of the table, her halter top dipped a little.

  If this woman wanted me to have a hard-on the whole night, she was succeeding in every possible way.

  “Do you mind if I order for everyone?” Gabby was already flipping through the pages on it and taking charge. One of the qualities I admired in her.

  Brad and Sonia motioned for her to go on.

  “Are there any dietary restrictions?”

  I plucked another menu from the center of the table. “The gluten-free diet is my preference. And more recently, I have gotten into a plant-based diet. I didn’t think there were a lot of options for plant-based diets, but I was mistaken. I even bought a book the other day.”

  Three sets of eyes glanced my way.

  I furrowed my eyebrows and shrugged. “What?”

  Brad shook his head in a don’t continue to let her know what a real dork you are way.

  Health was important. That was what I was instilling in our nieces. Health was wealth. The first part of a healthy lifestyle was healthy food.

  Sonia laughed, and Gabby simply smiled and asked, “Mason, are you allergic to anything?”

  I cleared my throat. “No.”

  “Okay.” She placed her hand on top of mine on the table and smiled. “Don’t worry; I’ll order the good stuff. But first, I need to run to the ladies’ room.” She stood. “Sonia, do you have to go?”

  Sonia stood also. “I always have to go.”

  When they were no longer in earshot, Brad leaned in, elbows on the table, and said, “I know you’re particular, Mason, but Gabby isn’t. You can think those things in your head or possibly say
them in front of your family, but not if you’re trying to make a good impression on your first date. Then, just”—he shook his head—“no. Don’t try to lay it all on her the first day. And dance class? You have never taken dance classes.”

  “I have,” I argued.

  “You have?” His eyebrows flew to his hairline.

  “Yep. YouTube.” I smirked, looking smug.

  Brad let out a peal of laughter and rubbed at his eyes. “Oh, man, do I want to see this.”

  I didn’t know what he was worried about. I puffed out my chest. I so had this.

  Chapter 13

  Gabby

  We talked, we laughed, and we stuffed our faces full of tacos. I learned about Brad and Mason’s whole family and more intimate details about Mary and Sarah. I loved hearing how creative Sarah was, how she loved music and reading, and they all loved everything Harry Potter. There were little tidbits about my students that I never got in the classroom because my time was limited with them. The Brisken household, though their extended family was nowhere as big as my family, seemed a lot like mine, full of love and laughter.

  When our plates were empty and our bellies were full, I was ready to get on the dance floor. I bounced my head to the beat, my feet itching to move as though ants were on the bottom of my heels.

  I’d been born to dance. My mother had said I’d moved so much in her womb that she thought I’d rip from her stomach.

  I turned toward my adorable date, who was examining his cake before taking his first bite.

  My cake had been gone for five minutes already.

  His mama had raised this man right. He was the picture-perfect male, opening doors, serving me food first, never a wrong move. A little uptight if you asked me, but it was cute in a nerdy kind of way.

  “Mason”—I tipped my chin toward the dance floor—“let’s go. Let’s dance.” I couldn’t wait to get him on the dance floor to loosen up, and I couldn’t wait for him to show me his moves.

  His eyes widened, and he double-blinked like a doe-eyed deer right about to get run over. Of course he was nervous; I got that. I didn’t expect him to be a pro, especially since I’d been dancing since I was a kid.

  His brother laughed beside him.

  “What’s so funny, Bradley?” I lifted an eyebrow.

  “It’s so funny you call him Bradley. I don’t think anyone calls him that,” Sonia piped up, stuffing another piece of cake in her mouth.

  For a tiny girl, Sonia could eat. She ate her meal and then had finished Brad’s too.

  I shrugged. “It’s how he introduced himself at the speed-dating thing.”

  Sonia’s next bite stopped midair, and all eyes moved to me before landing on Brad.

  “Speed-dating?” Sonia pushed her glasses further up her face and glared at her boyfriend. “Is there something I’m missing here? Why would my boyfriend be at a speed-dating thing?” She dropped her fork, and it clanged against the plate.

  Crap, was I not supposed to say that? My ears turned impossibly hot. Didn’t she know he was only there for Mason like I was only there for Martina?

  “Baby …” Brad began reaching for her.

  Sonia jerked back her hand. “What the hell were you doing at a speed-dating thing?”

  “I wasn’t there for the speed-dating thing.”

  She cocked her head, and if looks could kill, Brad’s head would be mounted on the wall. “And what the hell is that supposed to mean? Were you there or not?”

  “I was there”—he floundered—“but …”

  Mason blurted, “It was for me.”

  Sonia’s eyes flipped his way. “For you? Why? You couldn’t go yourself?” She shoved at the table and stood, anger clouding her features.

  “It was Brad’s idea, so—”

  “Shut up, Mason. You’re making it worse,” Brad snapped. He stood and reached for Sonia, who had her bag already slung over her shoulder, ready to leave.

  “And you”—she pointed to her boyfriend—“why didn’t you just tell me? It’s not like I wouldn’t have let you go. I mean, it’s not like I don’t trust you, but when you do this type of shit and not tell me things, then it makes me wonder and question that trust. Don’t you get that?” The vein pulsed at her temple, and her face reddened.

  “He didn’t want to upset you.” Mason stood, and he angled toward Sonia, his tone apologetic.

  I shrank away in my seat while everyone else was on their feet. Somehow, I felt responsible for their little spat. I wished Mason had said not to mention the whole speed-dating thing earlier.

  “Mason, shut up.” Brad stepped into her and placed a hand on her hip, trying to calm her.

  “Well, too damn late.” Sonia adjusted the purse slung over her shoulder. “You know what. I just lost my urge to dance. I don’t understand why you thought I wouldn’t understand.”

  “It’s not that …” Brad’s voice leaked desperation, his eyes pleading.

  In a hot second, this was going to escalate in a full-on fight. I knew it was family relations. A tiny part of me wanted to interject, to be the mediator, as I sometimes was in our rowdy family. I often functioned as the person who had to break up arguments and make one see the other’s perspective. But I bit my tongue because this was their family drama, and it was not my place.

  “He didn’t tell you because he didn’t want to upset you in your condition,” Mason added.

  Brad and Sonia froze, and then Mason backpedaled and averted his stare. “I mean … I mean … the air-conditioning is on, isn’t it?” He glanced around the room like he was looking for something and rubbed the back of his neck. Then, his gaze dropped to her stomach, and you could feel the tension rise in the room.

  Mason’s face flamed red.

  Sonia’s blanched.

  Condition?

  What condition?

  Mason

  I wanted to bang my head against the table and the chair and the floor and repeat the process all over again. Seeing Sonia this upset, her face red, her vein pulsing at her temple, could not be good for the baby, and my words had simply slipped.

  “You told him.” Sonia glared at Brad with all-knowing eyes, the way all women knew their men.

  He scoffed and blinked. “Of course not.”

  She placed one hand on her hip and popped it out, lifting an eyebrow.

  “Okay, fine. Fine.” He glared at me, and then his eyes softened when they slid her way. “I didn’t mean for it to happen that way. To tell anyone.”

  Sonia stormed past the table to the dance floor, heading to the exit.

  Intermission had started ten minutes ago, the floor was now empty, and soft instrumental music played in the background.

  Brad followed her, and so did Gabby and I.

  How could I make this better? “He was pretty messed up the day he told me,” I added. “I think he just needed someone to talk to.”

  “Will you shut up?” Brad’s eyes turned cold, flinty.

  Sonia stopped and hugged her center. It was still flat now, but it wouldn’t be for long. Soon, a baby bump would show, and before we knew it, another family member would be born. “I don’t even know what to tell my parents.” Her voice shook with heavy, sullen emotion, and her gaze dropped to the floor.

  “Don’t tell them yet.” Brad reached for her hand, pulling her toward him, but Sonia didn’t budge and stood rooted in her place, cowering into herself.

  “Don’t tell them yet when you’ve told all of your family? How is that fair, Brad?” Her eyes flashed, and her body turned rigid. She squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. “What am I going to tell my mom, my dad? Oh my God, my dad.” She looked to the ceiling and blinked back tears threatening to fall over. “He’s going to flip out.”

  Gabby tugged at my shirt, but I was too focused on my brother to get a hint that we should leave them alone to their intimate conversation.

  If anything, I took a step forward. “It’s fine. Everything will be fine.”

  But at this point,
it was as though they were in their own little world.

  “Baby, don’t cry. Please, please don’t.” Brad reached for her, and this time, she fell into his arms, her shoulders shaking from her tears. “Everything is going to be okay because I’m going to make sure it is.” His voice was firm yet soft. One hand circled her waist, and the other cupped her face.

  The drums sounded back up again, and people filtered onto the stage. Intermission was over.

  Brad pulled Sonia back to the perimeter of the dance floor. Music blared in the background, and everyone was moving into their salsa dancing moves.

  Brad reached in his back pocket.

  What is he doing?

  No, no, no. He was going to propose here? Now?

  My posture stiffened, and my eyes darted between them. I couldn’t let him do this.

  “Brad,” I called out, but his eyes were laser-focused on Sonia.

  Not many men planned out their proposal, but I had. Proposing was big, huge. You would have to tell the story over and over, and this was the story he’d be telling his grandkids? Was he crazy? Proposing at a salsa club in the middle of a fight?

  He pulled out a velvet box. Sonia stiffened, and Gabby’s eyes went wide.

  “Brad!” I shouted.

  The music was deafening, and I was about to reach for him, to stop him, when Gabby tugged me so hard that I was forced to look at her. With a tiny shake of her head, I knew I couldn’t interfere.

  Sonia’s hands flew to her mouth, and her lips formed a tiny O. Didn’t she know? Of course she had known that Brad would eventually propose. But who would have guessed it’d be at a loud salsa club with people twisting and shaking their hips around us?

  Words were exchanged, and I strained my ears to hear, but the music drowned out what they were saying. Then, I saw her leaping up and down, and her tears trailed down her face, harder, faster. Then, she nodded frantically.