I wiggled my way off of Jacob’s lap. He groaned and bit his fist playfully while I struggled to stand up. I made my way over to Maverick, unsure how to interact with him after we’d shared such an intimate four days together. In fact, he was a significant reason for why I was avoiding everyone.
He pulled me into his lap and began explaining the different rules and objective of the game. Each player received ten dice, and then the first person the get all ten dice to roll the same number, wins. It was pure and silly, but each brother placed bets on who could get all ten first, which made for a ridiculously tense room. With Jacob, I felt a playful connection, but with Maverick, my arms, legs, and chest felt heavy.
After the brief refresher course, Jacob counted down from ten, and the table erupted with the sounds of flying dice. They continued to roll them as quickly as possible. I spent more time watching them scramble for their dice than I did rolling my own, but eventually, Maverick won.
After losing a few games, I handed my ten dice to Jacob and made my way to the center of the floor. I watched casually for a few more rounds until a loud and obnoxious yawn escaped my lips. Again, Jacob switched off the lights, and a chorus of swears filled the room.
“Ash is bored, guys. We need something else to do.” He had a mischievous look on his face that suggested that what he had in mind would be embarrassing.
“I say we practice for the Solstice Festival,” he added.
“Wha-what’s that?” I asked quietly.
“Ah, babe. Every year we have a bonfire and dance for the summer solstice. Huxley smokes a few hogs, and we all eat, drink, and dance until we pass out.” Cyler laughed. “Last year Kemp got so drunk he went streaking through the town’s center.”
Their group mercilessly chuckled while Kemper turned a bright shade of red. At first, I didn’t believe that my mild tempered Kemp would do such a thing, but when he didn’t deny the others’ teasing, it became apparent that what they said was, in fact, true. The roaring laughter from the others made me feel sorry for him, so I scooted over to his chair. I sat at his feet and looked up at him.
“Would you teach me how to dance, Kemper?” I asked sweetly, praying that my question would distract him from their teasing. His embarrassed frown lifted into a sweet and shy smile. He then coughed. “It would be my pleasure, Ash,” he replied with a deep voice and a grin. The others still chuckled occasionally, but it mostly died down. My diversion had worked! They then hurried their recliners towards the outskirts of the room, creating a makeshift dance floor.
Jacob typed on his tablet until a folk song began blaring on their impressive sound system. The wooden walls shook with the beat, causing my heart to thud.
Kemp pulled me to my feet while the others watched. He pulled me close while placing a hand on my lower back. We looked at one another while Kemp began describing the dance steps. After he seemed convinced that I understood, he started guiding me around the room.
I was clumsy, as usual. But instead of teasing me, Kemper seemed more determined to teach me. I tried to fight the grin, but it took up a permanent residence upon my face while he spun me around the room. He seemed in perfect control.
He was gentle yet authoritative, directing me while cushioning my waist with his padded fingertips. The others watched us with kind eyes, except Huxley, who seemed to dislike me more and more as the dance continued. Occasionally, the others would throw out suggestions regarding my posture or our foot placements until Cyler walked up and asked for a turn.
“Kemp was kind enough to teach you a formal step, but just in case, I think you should learn how some of the others in Dormas like to dance.” He winked suggestively at me, and my hands trembled.
“Are you sure your leg can handle that?” I asked playfully, knowing full well that it was healing nicely.
“Why don’t you let me show you how much I can handle?” he replied.
Jacob turned on another song that emphasized the drum beat; it was a sensual song that made my cheeks flame. Where Kemp held me like I was fine china, Cyler crushed my body towards his. I felt like jelly, molding myself to him suggestively. He placed both hands on my hips, and the room seemed to catch fire. Patrick and Jacob whistled loudly.
He moved me against him achingly. I felt every move his body made pressed upon mine. My chest surrendered to his, and my forehead rested on his shoulder. The earlier playfulness everyone felt seemed to dissolve as I danced against Cyler. Too soon, Jacob cut the music, shocking me out of the trance that dancing with Cyler caused. I looked into his deep eyes while he brushed his shoulder-length hair off his neck.
For a brief moment, I wished the song hadn’t ended, but I remembered Jules, and the distance she put between each of them, and it was like a bucket of iced water on my senses. I quickly scrambled to brush off the awkwardness left behind by our suggestive dance.
“Thanks for the lesson, Cyler. If a suitor asks me to dance, I believe he will be most pleased,” I joked with a wink. However, instead of the playful chuckles, I intended to cause, Cyler threw a predatory gaze my way.
“The only men that will be dancing with you are in this room, babe,” he said in a tone that made me shiver.
I looked around the room, but the other boys refused to make eye contact with me. I felt like I’d ruined the mood of the evening, so I excused myself and said goodnight. The sudden turn of events made me nervous. I didn’t want to anger them, and I certainly didn’t want to disappoint Jacob after everything he had experienced.
Everyone mumbled their good wishes, and I made plans to head over to the General Store in the morning. I headed back to my room, feeling entirely defeated and was surprised to find Huxley standing outside my door. I wasn’t sure how he managed to pass me, but his brooding figure made me more nervous.
He walked closer to me, breathing hot air on my face. His proximity made my chest heave, and Huxley was so near that I brushed against him with every inhale.
“I was hoping it wouldn’t come to this,” he began. “I don’t want to scare you, but I need to make something abundantly clear.” My eyes widened at him as he leaned in even closer to whisper in my ear. “I will protect our group at all costs. Remember your place here.”
As soon as he said it, Huxley retreated into the hallway and out of sight. I felt cemented to the floor and unsure of what exactly he meant. I knew things got slightly heated with Cyler, but it was harmless, right?
Regardless, I heard him loud and clear, and suddenly, I felt like I was back in my basement at the Stonewell Home. Back where I was a nobody. Back where I wasn’t good enough for Josiah. Despite the freedoms of the Dormas province, I was still the little Walker girl from Galla.
Chapter Fifteen
The next day I made arrangements with the owners of the General Store, Mr. and Mrs. Caverly. They even gave me my first order, which was to complete a giant cake for the community solstice festival scheduled a week and a half from now. I was nervous to start off with such a significant event, but they seemed excited to have a baker on hand.
Once I ordered supplies, I made my way to the gold mine where Patrick and Huxley worked. Although I was anxious around Huxley, I wanted to bring lunch as a sort of peace offering.
The mines were at the far side of town, but it wasn’t a terribly long walk. A ten-foot fence with barbed wire stood proudly around the entrance of the mine. I was worried that I wouldn’t be allowed entry, but the four posted guards seemed to recognize me and immediately granted me access. Although the fence looked intimidating, I felt concerned that they only had four guards stationed out front. What would happen if the scavengers came back?