Sunset Cove. Rookie School

Chapter 8 The Ball Continues

Taylor Swift came blaring out of the speakers with her hit song “Tim McGraw” and it was playing loud. Those speakers had to be shaking their way off the shelves. Bridget took her seat amidst the crowd.

“Do you want to dance Miss Shawna?”

“Sure, but you didn’t waste any time getting over here.”

“Shuffle your feet and you lose your seat. Set on your ass and you miss out on your dance.”

She threw her head back and laughed. It came easily as he glided her across the dance floor. He turned her away from him and back to him with simple twists. Like he had done this a million times, but the look in his eyes told her something was different.

He made her feel so good. She hadn’t felt this happy in a long time. “Are you sure you know what you’re getting yourself into?” She smiled up at him. His angles of his face were soft and smooth all the way to his high cheekbones. He had the darkest beautiful skin. His eyes were like pools of chocolate. His long jet black hair fell down his shoulders and disappeared behind his back. God he was beyond gorgeous he was mystical. Which made her heart feel shaky. Back home it had been broken and she was just putting the pieces back together. He was trouble and she knew it. She also had to keep reminding herself he’s not him. Not all guys will treat you like s**t. You can’t go comparing each and every one or you’ll never find your true love. There is one person for everyone and hers was coming she could feel in her heart already this was him. Love at first sight that she never believed in. She does now.

His feelings and his emotions vibrated out of him like a glow. She knew he had a good heart anyone could see that but was her broken heart good enough for him. The only thing she knew to tell herself is we’ll just go for it and see where it lands.

“Why so quiet?” he asked. As they moved close together he held her tight and confident. They continued to move slowly to, “Key Largo”.

The music was awesome. She heard this song since she was a little girl. She rested her head on his shoulder. He could feel her pain so he just kept quiet and continued moving with her. His hips meshed with hers perfectly. She would be his and he would show her what real love should feel like. He could see the hurt in her eyes, feel the shaking in her body. He knew he had a gigantic thick wall to break through, but he’d do it one brick at a time and one layer at a time until there was nothing left but her and him.

The sound of their hearts beating together in a nice slow rhythm like they were like they were moving together now. He put his head down on hers and whispered quietly, “I know what I’m getting myself into. With a woman as beautiful as you. I know I am not your first roller coaster ride, but I’m tough enough and whatever it is your eyes are saying but your mouths not we’ll get through it together. He turned her face to his and looked deep into those beautiful emerald eyes of hers.

“This isn’t my first “Rodeo” and your head belongs right over my heart. It’s a perfect fit I knew it would be the moment to saw you across the crowded room.” He rubbed his hands slowly up and down her hips. God she felt warm and he needed her, but even though she believes in love at first sight. She would still not be totally his not for a long while “Trust.” She needed “Trust” and that is what she was going to get from him.

“Do you want to head over to the bar and get a drink? I’m parched. I haven’t danced in a while. Especially with a gorgeous thing that takes my breath away.”

“Sure I’d love too I haven’t felt this exhilarated in a New York minute. Thank you,” she replied. Knowing that if they weren’t in the dark right now he would see her blushing. Sweating like something crazy from the heat he was putting off.

His arms felt loosely at her waist. Chills ran up and down her spine.

“Are you nervous about Monday?” he asked her sincerely.

“A little bit, but I don’t think I could be as nervous as I am right now, ever. Her legs were steadily shaking and they didn’t plan on stopping anytime soon.

He put his hands on her legs underneath the table and messaged her softly looking deep into her eyes. Her legs calmed, “You know you’re really good at that. Did you ever consider being a medic?”

“Only for a minute. No water. I’m like a fish. Can’t stay out of it long, “he said.

“Me too, that’s why I chose lifeguarding. I can do what I love and save people in the process. Who wouldn’t take two for one?”

“No one I ever knew. I want to take this slow with you. You are so special and I have a confession I did read everything in your file and I did pick your room to decorate with all the colors you loved and when I saw you standing there my heart started doing flips in my chest and then it just melted. I haven’t quite put my finger on it yet. I just know I was made for you and you were made for me. I want to take you apart piece by piece until we are one.”

“Hey Johnathon,” an excited voice tore into his words. “Don’t usually see you out and about this time of night. She must mean something to you already. Otherwise you would already have left this party and been asleep hours ago.” Maggie May squealed. This time it was his turn to blush.

“Hi Honey,” the bartender stuck out here hand, “I’m Maggie May. I tend to get a little wound up when this time of the year rolls round. It’s so exciting to see new faces, new drama’s to watch, and it is still early. Which means we have a long way to go. I can’t wait to watch. That’s one of the perks of being a bartender. So what can I get you hon?”

“Can make a Sea Breeze?”

“Best in town. You’re usually Johnathon?”

“Yes Ma’am, 2 fingers of scotch to clear my head for the day.”

“I need to excuse myself for a few moments to hit the restroom. As long as someone don’t mind pointing me in the right direction.”

John automatically stood to his feet, pulled her barstool out and showed her which way to go. He watched her walk away until she was totally out of sight.

“She’s different Johnathon. I could automatically tell when I saw the two of you walking into the bar area. Now I’ve known you a long time. I have never saw your eyes twinkle like I’ve seen them tonight when you look at her.” She moved her head down over the bar to his ear. “Don’t let this one get away.” Maggie May told him.

“Oh believe me, I know. She’s all I can think about since I first laid eyes on her this morning. I’m just hoping I’m smart enough for her to even keep looking in my direction. She’s smart, sophisticated, charming, and funny. What could she possibly see in someone like me?”

“Oh, I don’t know I’m sure I could find quite a few things. Just give me time to open the package pull it apart bit by bit and we’ll see what we can do.” Shawna replied with her hands on her shoulders his back still to her.

Maggie May just looked at him, “Ran yourself head on into that one. I’d say.”

“Sure you could you saw her coming. What kind of friend are you to throw me under the bus like that? You could have made hand gestures or something. Letting me know what was coming in behind a person.”

With that said they all started rolling with laughter. Now she was bent over his back but she could see his face in the mirror behind Maggie May. She was whispering in his ear then she moved his hair aside and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

Shawna and Maggie May laughed so hard they were in tears. The look on his face was priceless.

“Okay, Okay!” I see how it’s done.” John laughed and followed up with a pointing finger at each one replying, “Double teaming so not fair, but that’s okay. When you least expect it. Bam! So you’d both better have eyes in the back of your head because I was a pretty good trickster in my day.”

They all three burst into another fit of laughter. Shawna couldn’t remember the last time she laughed like this. Was she such a serious person that she never really laughed or had she just forgotten how. This may have been the one thing that she had been needing to loosen up everything balled up inside and let it go.

This is it, Shawna thought, as she took a long slow sip of her drink. This is right where I belong.

“Oh yawl are saved for now. The Cha-Cha Slide. Are you ready to have some fun and kick the summer off right? You have to do this one its bad luck to sit this one out!”

“He’s right,” Maggie May agreed. “Have fun and I’ll keep your drinks safe. See you in a bit…” He had her up on her feet before she had any chance of resisting. Actually I would never admit it but she was better than I was. I bet she’d look classy doing the classic “Macarena.” I’d love to see that. He thought to himself as she followed the instructions to the music keeping right in time with her. Wanting to spend more time with her and looking at her now it seem like something was different than before he just wasn’t sure what it was. She felt more at ease when he touched her. No tension what so ever. That was a good thing and he’d take all the time she had to give.

It felt so good dancing next to John. He was such a gentlemen. Nothing like the assholes she had dated and normally she didn’t speak that way about people (any people) even the one’s she couldn’t stand. Baggage, she is carrying a lot around. She will have to be careful with him. She could be bitter at times, but maybe it’s time to push that baggage on out of the plane. Make room for what seemed like a very good guy. At lease as first impressions go. The song stopped and everyone clapped. The band was great. John and Shawna walked off of the floor. Hand in hand. When they got back to their drinks. Maggie May had no words of wisdom. She just winked and pointed at them and walked away to another customer.