“Hey,” I say before she leaves. “Thanks. Really appreciate it.” I hold up the shirt.
She gives me that same smile she always does, the one that makes my stomach do a flip.
“Anytime. Oh, and Blake, don’t wear work boots with that outfit, okay? It’s a barn dance. Let’s keep it classy.”
An hour later, I sip my beer and lean against the bar, watching the people of Grand Lake mingle and have a good time. White lights hang from every exposed beam and banister, and the band fills the room with lively music. Last year was one of the last times Tracey and I were together. I remember dancing around the barn, thinking things were great, not having the slightest hint that she’d pack her bags and leave two days later.
I finish my beer and turn to set it on the bar top when I see Pearl walk in. Her hair is down, falling over her shoulders and down her back in loose curls. Her alabaster skin looks like it’s glowing under all of the lights. She’s wearing a white dress with little pink flowers on it that falls a few inches above her knees. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her bare legs before. They’re thin and shapely, accented with beautiful gold sandals with a small heel. I see her pull something out of her small handbag and then slick it on her lips. I bet it’s the strawberry gloss she was wearing the night she kissed me. I can still taste it.
Before I can turn away, she catches me staring and flashes a smile. She walks up to me so confidently now. Gone is the timid girl that used to run away from me.
“Well, well. You clean up nice,” she says, playfully hitting her purse against my chest.
“Thanks. You don’t look so bad yourself. I almost forgot you were a girl.” I realize how stupid it sounds as soon as I say it. In my head, it was flirty, but once I said it, I sounded like an idiot.
“Hah, hah. So who are you creeping on up here at the bar? Anyone catch your eye out there? Maybe Miss Mabel? I hear she’s looking for husband number fiiiiive.” She giggles.
What I want to tell her is that she's the one who’s caught my attention. She’s the one I want to hold tightly against my body and savor each moment with. “Nah, I’ve got two left feet. I wouldn’t want to hurt anyone’s toes with these big ol’ feet.” I gesture to my shoes, and I see her smile at the fact that I listened to her and didn’t wear my work boots.
“Now I know for a fact that’s a lie. I’ve heard you know your way around the dance floor, and I remember you busting some moves last year.”
Before I can respond, she waves at Jade and starts to walk toward her. “Hey, save a dance for me.” She semi shouts before running over to her friend like a schoolgirl.
I can’t stay hidden for long. A few of the local ladies nab me for a twirl around the dance floor, and I don’t mind. I think I might have dodged Pearl’s request when she materializes behind me. She taps me on the shoulder and I twirl around.
“I’m ready for that dance now.”
“Ah, you’ve got the wrong brother,” I say, tipping my fresh beer bottle at her.
“Come on. Be a sport. You know you’ve grown to loooove having me around.” She pokes at my belly until I finally give in.
Of course, as soon as I place my hand over hers and slip my hand around her waist, the song changes. The band starts to play Bob Dylan’s “Make You Feel My Love.” I nervously pull her in toward me. She doesn’t hesitate, pressing herself against me. I will my heart to not race and regulate my breathing before it gives away my anxiousness. I can smell the slight hint of strawberry from her lips. My eyes dart to look at her long, slender neck. I can see her pulse beating rapidly. I want to think it’s because I excite her, but in reality, I still make her nervous.
Neither of us speak as the song plays on, and our bodies sway with the music. I press my hand a little harder against her lower back, and I hear her inhale sharply. Her body feels right against mine, like she belongs in my arms. Instead of shaking my head clear from the thoughts, I let them linger. I let myself wonder what it would be like to pull back and kiss her. To thread my fingers through her beautiful strawberry blonde curls and tell her exactly how I feel.
The song ends, and the clapping around me wakes me out of my fantasy. I pull back, putting distance between us, just as my phone starts to vibrate in my pocket. I pull it out, answering it without looking at the screen as I head out into the night air to clear my head.
“Hello?”
“Hello? Blake? It’s…it’s Tracey.”
Nine
Pearl
I stand at the edge of the dance floor, feeling empty the moment he pulls away. I see him pull his phone from his pocket and answer it before heading outside. I want to follow him, but I turn back around and head toward the bar.
“Am I seeing things, or did you and Blake Winthrop just have a moment?” Jade is standing beside me with her hand on her chest in mock shock.
“What? No, he’s just…I don’t know. I kind of thought I felt something, but then he walked off like it was nothing.”
“There was some serious heat there. You did not imagine that.” She fans herself. “This whole place is about to be pregnant.”
I slap her arm. “Stop it! You’re embarrassing me. And I told you that I had the tiniest crush on him in confidence. It doesn’t mean anything. He’s attractive. The entire town knows and admits that. I’m just a late bloomer on the matter.”
“Well, if anything ever happens between you two, I want details. Moment by moment, play by play details.” She claps through the statement for emphasis.
I glance outside and see the faint silhouette of Blake. His arms are propped on the top of the fence, and he looks like he’s off the phone. Now’s my chance to go tell him that I have decided to move on from Trevor. I don’t know what I expect him to say about the matter, but it’s my attempt to let him know where I stand.
“I’m going to get some fresh air. I’ll be back in a few.” I make a beeline before Jade can offer to come with me.
“Hey.” I walk up next to him and place my hand on the top of the fence. “You okay? You seem like you got a little spooked or something.”
“Hmm?” He turns and gives me a brief look. “Yeah, it was nothing. Just needed some fresh air. That place is packed.” He nods toward the barn.
We both stare up at the night sky, the stars twinkling like diamonds against an inky canvas. That’s something you don’t get in the city, the vast expanse of night sky. I don’t know what comes over me, but I decide to try and get to know Blake.
“So what’s your story?”
He seems a bit confused. “My story? You know, you practically grew up in my house.”
“Well, I saw you around a lot sure, but…what happened with the football thing?” I can see his jaw tense, and normally that would have scared me away, but I feel like I’m slowly breaking down his barriers.
His rubs at the ever-present scruff on his chin, as if he is thinking through what he wants to say.
“Not much to say, I ‘spose. I had a full ride to Florida but end up getting an injury my junior year of college that shot it all to hell.” He absentmindedly rubs his shoulder.