Waylaid

by Ruth J. Hartman

  “What?”

  “Come up there with me.”

  “Why? And make a fool of myself?” Not part of the deal, Kendra.

  “Just have some fun for once.”

  I let out a sigh. Kendra wouldn’t give up. She never gave up.“All right.”

  “Yay!” She practically skipped ahead of me to the dance floor.

  We climbed four steps to the raised platform. Oh great. Now everybody will be able to see that I don’t have any moves.

  An older guy, about thirty, seated near the platform grabbed a microphone. “Get ready, ladies, it’s time for our monthly contest.”

  “Uh-oh. Did he just say—?”

  He chortled into his microphone. “So shake whatcha got and the winner gets a prize.”

  Was he kidding? “Time for me to go.”

  “Wait. Don’t leave me up here by myself.” She grabbed a hold of my arm with a steel-like grip.

  “Kendra, I don’t want to.”

  She leaned forward so I could hear her better over the noise. “Just shake your butt.”

  “Huh?”

  “Shake your butt when you dance. They like that.”

  “Of all the—” I darted a glance around. All the other girls were dancing. I’m sure I looked like an idiot just standing there. Like some tone-deaf loser.

  “Come on!” Kendra started to gyrate to the music. The girl had no rhythm. Poor thing resembled an over-caffeinated chicken.

  I did my own thing when it came to moves but at least I did them to the right beat. Here we go.

  Chapter Four

  Graham

  My jaw nearly hit the tabletop. Addy was dancing. And she was good. The way she moved around the dance floor in those tight jeans was awesome. Feet stepping to the beat, arms floating out to her sides and then sweeping behind her as she turned in a half-circle. Her hair brushed her cheeks as she turned her head. I couldn’t tear myself away.

  Yeah, she was hot, but there seemed to be a sweetness about her, too, when I talked to her. When I’d looked in her eyes, even though it had only been for a few seconds, some kind of mischief hid there. I just had to get to know her. Find out more. See what made her friendly yet kind of out of reach.

  So far, it wasn’t working very well. Too bad my idea of sitting next to her in the truck hadn’t worked out. Maybe on the way back. First, though¸ I needed to talk to her some more. Show her I could utter more than two words at a time.

  The music ended and another song started up. This one had major drum, guitar and cymbals. The whole place was rockin’. And every eye was on the dance floor. At least, every male eye. The same view that I got was also enjoyed by all the guys. I gritted my teeth together. How dared they? I could just have—

  Wait. I could’ve what? She wasn’t mine. Why did I feel such a pull to her? It had been immediate and forceful. With Darlene it had been just… there. I’d known her for years and we were always at the same parties, always with the same group of friends. So, it had just seemed to work with her.

  Until it didn’t.

  Maybe she was never into me like I thought I was into her. Had I been too stupid not to see it? Come to think of it, Marcus hadn’t acted all that surprised when he heard she’d dumped me. If he had known something all the time why hadn’t he told me?

  The waitress stopped at my table and set down my beer. “Here ya go, handsome.” She winked.

  “Thanks.” I nodded. Girls seemed to do that a lot, make eye contact, wink, hint they’d be open to something. Maybe… but I never saw it when I looked in the mirror. She made her next stop and then wound around to Marcus’ table. He was still there, so I got his attention by holding up my beer. He nodded, grabbed his, and made his way to my table.

  As soon as he sat down next to me, he tipped his beer bottle in the direction of the dance floor. “Man, Kendra sure can dance.”

  “Uh huh.” I took a swig of my drink before I’d have to say anything else. Poor guy was so into Kendra that he couldn’t see she looked like a cow on ice skates. Unlike Addy.

  “Hey, Graham. Why don’t you come over and sit with us?”

  “Unless you want me to sit on your lap, there aren’t enough chairs.”

  Marcus smacked my shoulder. “Grab yours and move it.”

  “Nah. I’m good.” Truth was, I really did want to sit with Addy, just not with Marcus and Kendra hovering. No, I needed to get her alone. Get to know her.

  “Whatever, man.” Marcus went back to watching his girlfriend shake her overly large backside at the faces of the three male judges. He gulped down the rest of his beer and glanced around. “Now where is that waitress again when I need her?”

  “You could get it yourself. Bar’s right over there.” I pointed toward the far corner.

  “Sure.” He stood. “You want another?”

  “No, thanks. I’m driving, remember?”

  Marcus gave me a light punch on my shoulder as he left. I barely noticed. Addy was still shakin’ it on the floor and even with a couple hundred people in the huge dance club, it seemed she was all I could see.

  With no one sitting at her table at the moment, I set down my beer and edged my way over there. Her drink sat there on its little napkin, waiting for her to return from dancing. There might be a way to get her attention…

  I picked up the glass and downed her soft drink. Not my choice of flavors, but that wasn’t the point. Just as the song ended, I set down the empty glass and made my way back to my own seat. Let’s see what happens now.

  The dancers stood together in a clump on the dance floor as the judges conferred to pick the winner. Kendra grabbed Addy’s hand and gave it a squeeze. Were they very close friends? Until today, I’d never heard Marcus or Kendra mention her. Although the way those two were joined at the hip, maybe they didn’t think of anyone but themselves.

  One of the judges stood up from his chair. “All right, ladies. We couldn’t decide who was the best dancer, so we have a tie!”

  All the girls studied each other except for Addy. She didn’t seem too pumped about finding out who won.

  The man pointed toward someone behind Addy. “The first tie-winner is the pretty redhead in the green shirt.”

  A squeal came from the tall, willowy girl and she jumped up and down.

  The clump of girls all turned their heads back to the judge. “And the other winner is the cute brunette in the grey and red striped shirt.”

  Addy won! My heart pounded wildly in my chest as if I had gotten a prize for something myself.

  Kendra grabbed Addy’s hand and yanked her toward the judge, who extended a hand toward Addy. He held something, but I couldn’t see what.

  What had she won? I craned my neck to catch a glimpse, but they were too far away. Maybe when she got back to her table she’d say what it was, and I would hear.

  The girls all stepped down from the dance platform and headed toward their seats. Kendra and Addy angled around groups of people standing near tables to get to theirs.

  Marcus came back from the bar, another beer in his hand. Kendra ran to him and said, “Addy won twenty-five bucks!” An exaggerated pout crossed her lips. “But I didn’t win anything.”

  “It’s okay, Kendra.” Marcus laid his chin on the top of her head. “I know you were the best.”

  Love is blind.

  “Thanks, babe.” Kendra dropped a kiss on his cheek and then sat down at their table.

  I watched Addy closely. She glanced down at her glass and frowned. “Hey. Who took my drink?”

  Kendra pointed to the table. “It’s right there, silly.”

  “But it’s empty.” She tapped the glass with her finger.

  “Maybe you drank it and forgot.”

  “Kendra, I was dancing when they brought it.”

  Kendra’s eyebrows lowered. I could practically hear squeaky gears in her head trying to turn.

  “So… I couldn’t have drunk it because I wasn’t here.”

  “Oh, right.” A giggle burst
from Kendra’s lips.

  “Guess I’ll have to get another one.” Addy turned and walked in my direction.

  Here was my chance. When she was a few steps away, I raised my beer bottle. “Hey, heading to the bar?”

  She stopped and tilted her head, her long hair brushing against her shoulder. “Yeah.”

  “Mind getting me a refill?”

  She smirked and raised her dark eyebrows. After eyeing me up and down, she shook her head. “You can probably handle that all by yourself.”

  I chuckled as she walked past me. Pretty sure I heard her giggling. Would she walk back by me when she returned, or dodge my table after what I’d said? I wanted so bad to turn and watch her to see, but clenched the bottle tight in my hand and waited for her to come back.

  I knew she was there before I looked up. That scent, that lavender, floated around me. I could die happy just inhaling that.

  She tapped me on the shoulder and I peered up slowly, acting like I didn’t care if she was there or not. My gaze reached her gorgeous brown eyes. “Hi again. Change your mind about getting me a beer?”

  With a shake of her head, she snickered. “Um, no. Sorry. Not old enough to buy that. At least not without a fake ID.”

  Not old enough to drink? Just how young was she? Even though I had reservations, something about her had taken me captive and I itched to find out more about her. “Hmm. Well that won’t work will it?”

  “Nope. Guess not.”

  I lifted my chin and eyed her table. “So… something happened to your drink?”

  Her dark blue boot tapped the wooden floor. “You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, now would you?”

  I set down my beer and crossed my arms. “What would give you that idea, Addy?”

  She tilted her head and some of her hair moved to lay over her breast. My gaze automatically followed. “So you know my name.”

  I forced my eyes back up to hers. “Kendra told me. She dates Marcus. He’s a good friend.”

  “Okay. But you never answered my question.”

  “And what question was that?”

  “About my… drink?” She pointed toward the other table. “Somebody helped themselves.”

  “Is that right?” I smirked. I couldn’t help it. She was so cute, just standing there with a soft drink in one hand and her other hand on her hip as if she was ready to scold me for something.

  She came a step closer. Lavender again. I closed my eyes, just for a second. Would she sit down at my table? Ask her, you idiot!

  She leaned down a little toward me. “Maybe you… saw who did it?”

  I shrugged. “Could be.”

  “Maybe… it was you?”

  I shrugged again. My lips quivered as I tried not to smile.

  She laughed. “Hey. You owe me a drink then.”

  “Yeah, I could always—”

  “Addy! Where have you been?” Kendra was motioning her back to their table.

  Frustration coursed through me. I let out a breath as I watched Addy shrug, turn away and go back to Kendra and Marcus.

  Why hadn’t I asked her to sit with me? It was the perfect moment for it. Now she knew I was the culprit who stole her drink. Would she say something about it again? If she didn’t, I would. And I’d use buying her another one as an excuse to talk to her. Music started up again, a slower number. Kendra dragged Marcus away from the table. Guess he’d finally caved to her whining.

  Addy sat alone nursing her fresh drink. With my heart in my throat, I stood. Now or never. I grabbed my beer and walked toward her. Just don’t trip or knock anybody down on the way. You’re already a bull in a china shop as it is.

  I tapped the bottom of my bottle against the back of the chair next to hers. “Mind if I sit?”

  She glanced up and grinned. “Sure.”

  “Sure you mind, or sure I can sit.”

  She blinked and a giggle popped out of those perfect, kissable lips. “Sure. Sit down.”

  I pulled out the chair, careful not to tip it over in the process. Please don’t let this be the moment a chair breaks and I end up on my ass. It wouldn’t be the first time. Being a large guy wasn’t always a good thing. “So, Addy, I’m Graham.”

  “I know.”

  “Oh?”

  “Kendra.”

  “Ah. Yeah, I guess what Marcus knows—”

  “—Kendra knows.”

  “So have you known Kendra long?” I downed a swig of my beer.

  She gave a one-shouldered shrug. “Only since kindergarten.”

  “Good friends, then.”

  “Yeah… Ya gotta love her.”

  Do I? I wondered what she meant by that. By just talking to Addy a little bit, I didn’t get the feeling that the girls were very much alike. Thankfully.

  She pointed to where Marcus had been sitting. “So, you and Marcus?”

  “I’ve known him for years too. Went to high school together over in the next county. It’s kinda weird though.”

  “What is?”

  “If you and I have known them for so long, and they’ve been dating for so long…”

  “Why haven’t we met before?”

  I nodded. “Right.”

  “Just didn’t cross paths, I guess. But then, I usually avoid a lot of parties.”

  “Parties are fun. Why avoid them?”

  Addy shrugged. “Guess I’m too focused on getting ready for college.”

  College. Hmm. “So, staying local or going away?”

  Her eyes lit up. “Going away, definitely. My older sister Anna lives in Oregon and wants me to go to school out there.”

  Of course. I meet someone I like and she’s leaving. I took another pull of my beer to hide my reaction. “I’m sure it’s pretty in Oregon.”

  “Yeah, that’s what my sister says.” She glanced away and then back, her gaze toward the table.

  “Something the matter?”

  “Well, that’s where I want to go, but my parents don’t think it’s such a great idea to go so far away.”

  I was starting to like her parents. “Do they want you to stay around here?”

  “I’ve been accepted at Purdue.”

  “Good school.” And it wasn’t across the country. Still it was over two hours away.

  “Yeah. I’m guessing that’s where I’ll end up. So do you go to school too?”

  “Gave it a try. Didn’t like it.”

  “Oh.” She glanced away and instead eyed her drink.

  I think I just lost some points there. “I work for my uncle.”

  “What does he do?”

  “He owns a farm.”

  “Oh.”

  Why does she keep saying “Oh” like that? I needed to steer the conversation back to something safer. “Hey about that soft drink I owe—”

  “Addy?”

  Outstanding. Kendra was back from dancing with Marcus. Not near enough time with Addy.

  She turned and waved at Kendra. “Hey. Have fun?”

  “Yeah.” Kendra pointed toward the entrance. “But I have to pee. Come with me.”

  Addy turned back to me and shrugged. “I’d better go. Nice talking to you, Graham.”

  “Uh, yeah. You too.”

  What just happened here?

  Chapter Five

  Addy

  We made our way out to Graham’s truck. Maybe I wouldn’t be stuck in the back again. I’d rather sit up front and talk to Graham some more. Not that I wanted to date him or anything. That wasn’t part of my plan.

  I dodged the make-out couples from before and hurried toward the truck’s cab. Just as I got near the passenger side, Marcus was helping Kendra into the front. Well that’s just perfect. So I’ll be stuck in the back with the face suckers. Again!

  I stomped my boot once in the dirt, hoping to get rid of some frustration. It did help for about four seconds. When I got to the back, everyone else was already crammed inside. I was the last to climb in. I looked up just in time to see Graham’s face as he clo
sed the tailgate.

  Save me, please!

  I really, really would have preferred riding with him. I was sitting against the tailgate so at least I could watch out the small back window. That helped a little, anyway.

  Graham was adorable. Those dimples were amazing. I had wanted to run my finger down his face just to touch them. His eyes, dark as chocolate, were gorgeous, but seemed to be hiding some secret.

  The little bit I’d gotten to talk to him, the conversation had been easy. Not like some times when I’d try to talk to a guy and whatever I said came out sounding forced or just plain stupid. I hadn’t worried about every word I would say, just said what was on my mind. He was handsome, but didn’t seem to know it. From the way he listened and paid attention to what I said, he acted like everything didn’t need to be about him. When was the last time I’d spent time with someone who wasn’t trying to only get something from me?

  I thought Graham must have liked to tease people. Not everyone would steal somebody’s drink while they were dancing and then, with a smirk, all but admit he’d done it, almost daring me to make a thing of it.

  I chuckled. Bet he’d be a lot of fun on a date.

  Wait. No. Not part of the plan, Addy. Remember the plan? Everything all mapped out, scheduled down to the year, waiting for me to follow its lead and make the right choices. Pursuing something with a farmer who would be stuck in my hometown forever when I wanted out of it would be a bad decision.

  Yes. Very, very bad.

  Something about him pulled at me, though. He acted different than all the boys I’d dated. Graham was all man. Wasn’t that one of the things I was hoping to find in a guy? Somebody mature, who knew where he was going?

  He sure seemed more mature than Jud or even Ali, who only thought of himself.

  But Graham, a farmer?

  That was not in the plan. Nope. The one I hoped to meet someday needed to go to college, get a great job. And those jobs needed to be away from here.

  I sighed. Why did the most interesting guy I’d met in a long time have to be so wrong for me?

  Something touched my knee and I jumped. I checked to my right. One of the kissy-face guys from before was leering. I eyed him. “Uh. Hi.”

  “Hi yourself.” He scooted closer. What was he doing? Why wasn’t he back with the girl from before? I leaned back to see that the other guy had his arms around both girls. Oh well that’s just nice. I wrinkled my nose. I didn’t even want to know what happened when there were three.