Page 33 of I Blame the Dimples
A cough across the table drags my attention away from the fantasy sitting beside me.
“So, I was just saying the costume contest is about to start. Do you want to join me?” Stella raises her eyebrow, “unless you’re done for the night, then maybe Wes can take you home?” I can’t tell if the glint in her eyes is a challenge to stay or to go.
“No way I’m missing the costume contest. We’re in this together, remember?” My heart pounds in my ears as I hastily trade one bad idea for another. Nothing like volunteering to walk the green mile twicein one night for the sake of friendship.
“As if I could forget. Come on, we’ve got to line up on stage.” I gulp as Stella threads her arm through mine, pulling me out of my seat and towards the stage. Tugging me closer, she leans in to whisper in my ear.
“Not that I don’t appreciate the roommate bonding, hon, but the smoldering man beside you would have been afunride home.” I sneak a glance back at the man in question, huffing a laugh when he throws me two thumbs up and a beaming smile.
“That’s what I’m afraid of.” Stella leads me up the stairs to the stage, scrunching her nose up in confusion.
“You’re afraid Wes might put his years of experience to good use?” My cheeks burn red as we join the lineup.
“No. I mean, yes. I mean… we’re good friends and I don’t want to lose him.”
“Okay, let’s get a few things straight.” Stella holds up her fingers. “First off, that man has not taken his eyes off you the entire night. And don’t think I didn’t see your little hand holding moment earlier.” I open my mouth to interrupt, but the second finger silences me. “Second, an informant told me Wes purposely chose his outfit tonight because he knew you would like it. Someone who looks like that does not wear eyeliner unless he has a purpose.” Seeing my opportunity, I interject quickly.
“I’m pretty sure Wes loves dressing up, period.” A third finger pops up and wags aggressively in my line of sight.
“No interrupting. And thirdly, the chemistry between you two is so strong Cody and I can barely breath.” She ticks off her last finger, throwing a final comment my way. “We both know you and Wes are a lot more than friends, Lou. And if tonight is any indication, that boy is not letting you go anytime soon.”
Hope flares in my chest, a weak flame flickering at the edge of my insecurities. “Do you really think so?”
“Oh, Lou. Iknowso.”
Wolf whistles break over the crowd as Stella and I step forward. The winner of the costume contest is whoever receives the loudest reaction, and so far, everyone has been around the same. Naturally, my competitive roommate came up with a plan to make sure we come out on top, sadly, said plan involves active participation on my part.
Instead of taking a step forward, striking a pose, and returning to our position like all the other contestants, Stella and I march to center stage. Stella leads the way with a fierce strut: hair bobbing, hips swaying, leg muscles flexing through skin-tight leather while I more so scurry alongside her, doing my best not to trip. We reach the front of the elevated platform and break into phase two. Taking my hand, Stella twirls me around the stage and drops me into a low dip, making sure the audience gets the chance to see every inch of our costumes. Pulling me off the ground, we sashay back to our original positions, finishing the performance off with two curtsies executed in perfect unison. The crowd goes wild and the smile pasted to my face melts into a real one as I catch sight of Cody and Wes whopping from across the room.
“We crushed it!” Stella’s voice breaks through the roar of the mob as the announcer moves to the next contestant.
“Thanks for not dropping me on my head.” When Stella originally walked me through the routine, I’d thought for sure brain damage was my future. If I was lucky, maybe a slight concussion.
“Please. As if our sisterly bond would fall victim to gravity.” I smile, deciding not to point out the hours Stella spends at the gym is most likely the reason behind our success. There’s no need to ruin our sisterly moment.
“Alright folks, it looks like we have a winner. And it’s one we’ve seen before. Let’s hear it for… the Lavishing Leather Ladies!” Stella and I wave to the crowd as the bar breaks into applause once again.
Edging out of the spotlight, relief hits me as we finally make our way off the stage. “Let me be the one to say, next time Wes doesn’tget to pick our team’s name.”
Stella chuckles, “Agreed. Although, it is rather fitting don’t you think?”
Chapter 14
Wes
I’m in trouble.
And no, it’s not because Trip has somehow become my kryptonite over the last few hours. Not to say that isn’tconcerning but it is baby food compared to what I’m up against: dance karaoke to music I don’t listen to.
Now, normally I’m not one to shy away from the stage. Hell, if Hollywood saw my grade sixth performance of Jack Sparrow, I’d be paid to never leavethe stage. But karaoke? Whole different ball game. Especially when you don’t know the genre well.
You know the saying don’t judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree? Well, I am that fish trying to climb that tree. Meaning I am a fish out of water. Do you know what happens to fish when they’re out of water? That’s right. They die.
Hence my dilemma.
If I had known the deal was the girls win a competition so the boys must win a competition, I would have hauled my ass up onstage for the costume contest.
Wooing an audience with a smile? Easy.