Surrendering (18 page)

“So tell me again, I think I was too drunk to understand last night. Explain what’s supposed to happen tonight.” Abbi says confused.

Kendall gets really excited and launches into details, “Raven, Harper, and I used to dance together growing up. We took ballet, jazz, lyrical, modern, and acrobatics. When we were sophomores, we learned about Modern Street dancing or New Jacks Swing. We started practicing and worked our way to the show circuit. We performed all over town and even other cities. It’s a fun hip-hop style and the three of us rocked it.

“Adam is our friend that DJ’s around town and he tries to keep us in the loop. It’s been hard with us in Atlanta, but when he found out we were here this weekend, he asked us to come down and dance tonight. There will be other groups too. Sometimes the crowd makes a competition out of it. Pretty much every dancer is excited just to dance with new crews. It’s not a completely choreographed sector. We have our own moves since we’ve danced together for so long.”

Ella starts laughing, “Is this like the “You’ve Been Served” episode of
South Park
?”

“Yeah, a little, but it’s not a true competition. Think of it as more like New York City street performers. Everyone’s there to have fun. You can judge for yourself in a few hours.”

“So your friend Adam will be picking your music?”

“He just plays for the floor. We can throw in suggestions though. With New Jack Swing, you find a lot of eighties-nineties influence. Since he and Raven used to date, he knows what we like.”

Shit! Kendall and her big mouth. I haven’t told them about Adam and me. “It was nothing really, we’re better off friends than we ever were as a couple. And besides, he got over me real quick.” I close the subject before anyone can ask any questions about it.

“Did you tell Declan anything about tonight?”

“No, I didn’t really know about it until last night when Finn called and told me Kendall planned this behind my back. We have so many things to talk about, and I think my dancing in a club is a very low priority. Besides, he probably has plans tonight and the East Nashville dance scene isn’t his style.”

“Do you want me to text him?”

I think a minute and decide this could be a very bad thing. Our dances aren’t G-Rated. “Abbi, I’m not sure that’s a good idea. Let’s just go have fun and tomorrow night we’ll see him at The Steamroom. He told me he left our names to get in.”

She seems satisfied and we all head out to the car. It’s a tight fit in Kendall’s SUV. I’ll ask Finn to drive some of us home later. Hopefully Robbie isn’t with him tonight because he doesn’t handle this type of thing very well.

We get to Scene 6 and it’s packed. Finn’s at a table with a few guys sitting around it. I push Abbi, Ella, and Charlie to them and tell them we’ll be right back. We need to go backstage and sign up and see who’s here tonight. As soon as we step into the room, I hear Kendall hiss behind me. Shit, shit, shit! The room is packed and I see tons of people we used to know including Kendall’s ex-boyfriend, Jason, in the corner. She must have seen him too. They broke up a year ago when he cheated on her and it took her six months to date again. Obviously, we didn’t know he would be here.

When we get back to the table, Kendall is spewing. She’s screaming but I can’t listen to her because my heart just jumped into my throat. Declan is standing there with a frown as he takes in my outfit. I reach out him and bring him in close to hug him. I guess the initial shock wears off because he squeezes me back.

“I would ask you what you’re wearing, but I see the other two are just as over the top. Is there something you want to tell me?”

“What are you doing here?”

“I came to surprise you, but now I need to know what’s going on?”

I start to tell him, but I stop because Adam is heading to our table. “Later,” I mouth to him and he nods.

Adam approaches and he gives Charlie, Harper, and I a hug. Declan tenses behind me, so I grab his hand lightly and squeeze. I move up between Kendall and Adam. Harper is right beside me. Finn notices the tension and gets up to come around closer.

“What the fuck, Adam? Did you set this up? Are you fucking crazy?”

“Calm down, Ken. I had no idea. From what I can tell, all the groups found out y’all were dancing tonight through Facebook. I guess word got around. I’m sorry.” Adam stops talking and looks around to find me. “Raven, you look great.”

I know Declan is already on edge. Even though we haven’t talked through everything, I don’t want this to escalate.

“Thanks, Adam, but this is really shitty. You should have called to give us a warning that Jason’s here.”

Kendall can’t hold back any longer, “It’s more than shitty; it’s fucking fucked up. That dick cheated on me with some skank. He made me look like a fool. I can’t believe he’s here.”

Adam winces, “I’m really sorry. You can always stay away from him.” He raises his hands in defeat.

She seems to soften a little, “Come here, you fucking weasel, and give me a hug.” He walks over to her and they embrace. I can’t tell, but I think she kisses him on the cheek.

“Um, excuse me, but what just happened?” Ella claps to get everyone’s attention.

“What just happened is that my dickhead ex-boyfriend is here and probably with the same bitch he cheated on me with. So tonight when we dance, I need to show him what he gave up. This just became a Hoedown Throwdown.”

“Oh my gosh, this is just like
South Park
!”

I turn to them, “I need to stretch like now so I can do flips later.”

Finn pulls me to him. “I don’t like this. Who’s back there?”

“I’m not sure who everyone is.”

“I’m coming with you. I want to see faces and the registry list. Your parents will kill me if they find out about this. Remember the phrase “staying low-key”? This is anything but low-key. Kendall looks like she’s ready to detonate. What if there’s a brawl tonight? Your parents will kick my ass!”

Declan asks over all the chatter, “Can someone please tell me what the hell is happening?”

I take his arm and point to the table, “Abbi can tell you everything. We’re going to join the dance performance tonight with some of the old groups we used to dance with. One of the guys is Ken’s ex and he treated her like shit. I need to go warm up and get our music settled. Finn will be back in a minute if you have any more questions. But I need you to promise me something, say you promise.”

“Raven, I’m not gonna promise you anything until you tell me what it is.”

“Some of this dancing can get a little touchy and I’m not sure your jealous side will react well. This is supposed to be really fun and we have a blast, but I don’t want you to start a fight with the other dancers. Can you please stay calm?”

He looks really unhappy. “Yeah, babe, I’ll control myself.”

“We have a lot to talk about, starting with how you knew I was here, but we’ll talk later.”

I brush a light kiss over his lips before I leave.

The backroom is filled with people and I see Finn looking over the registry in the corner. He doesn’t like surprises when it comes to protection.

Harper and Kendall are talking to Adam in a corner taking notes. “We like Black Eyed Peas, Usher, Flo Rida, MJ, Eminem, any type of hip hop…”

He cuts her off and heads to the stage.

*****

The crowd is electrifying. Jason sees Kendall as soon as we join in on the second song. The three of us do a short routine we made up years ago to Salt-N-Pepa’s “Push It”. A large body steps up behind me and I use his chest as leverage to do a high leg kick that Kendall slides under. The big guy behind me lifts me so I’m facing him. After spinning me several times, he lowers me to the ground where I twirl back into the crowd.

Adam does a mix of “Rump Shaker” with modern day “Low” by Flo Rida and we jump back in. This routine is much longer than the one before. A few people recognize it and jump in and out. I know I need someone strong to brace my weight. I see a guy watching me from the side and I raise my eyebrows to see if he’s interested in helping me. He nods back so I get ready. As soon as I get the sign from Harper, I spin toward him and land against his chest. He braces his legs and I jump up. He pushes me back so I can get height and then I fly through the air successfully, landing my back flip. I hear my friends cheering over the large crowd.

I have little participation after that unless someone pulls me in. I see Kendall dismiss Jason twice before he quits trying. By the time Adam takes a break, my legs feel like jelly. I meet up with all our friends back at the table. All of Finn’s roommates had shown up while I was dancing. Tripp picks me up and swings me around. Gabe and Jimi do the same with Kendall and Harper respectively.

Declan’s quiet, but when I sit down next to him, he smiles over at me. “Not a day goes by that I’m not amazed by you. You looked hot out there. I have some new images to keep me company at night.”

I shake my head at him laughing.

“You don’t think I’m serious, but I am. You are so beautiful.”

Chapter 21

Meet My Mom

After all the excitement at the club, we decided to take the party back to our house. Everyone piled into the cars with Finn, Declan, and Tripp (driving Kendall’s car).Gabe and Jimi left earlier to meet some friends at another bar. Kendall was still jazzed about Jason’s reaction to her dismissal and insisted all the girls do shots. After the fourth round, I was pretty buzzed and became flirty with Declan. I could tell he was enjoying the drunken Ravenel Hayes.

I’m thankful that I stocked the house with liquor and beer because when we got home, everyone let loose. Even Finn got drunk.

I knew we were having a coed slumber party so I grabbed the air mattress and all the extra sheets and pillows I could find. Once everyone found a place to lie down, I noticed Kendall had teamed up with Tripp on the couch. I motioned for her to join me in my room.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m sleeping on the couch.”

“Why?”

“Because I want Declan to sleep in your room with you.”

“Don’t you think that’s a little too forward? Just yesterday we were broken up. I still need to talk to him. I don’t think it’s a good idea to have him in here tonight, especially with me this drunk.”

“Raven, I love you, but you’re an idiot. That guy is crazy for you. I know you need to know what happened, but stop pushing him away. I like him for you. I’m not saying you should mess around with him, but the way you two looked tonight proves you’re good together. He’s too drunk to drive and he doesn’t look like he wants to share the air mattress with Finn.”

“He does cuddle well…”

“There you go. It’s settled. You get your hunk of love and I get the guys that will probably snore through the night.”

When we get back to the living room, Finn’s passed out on the mattress, and Tripp and Declan are on the couch watching TV.

“Um, Declan, it looks like you’re with me tonight.” His face lights up as he stands.

Tripp grabs his arm and turns to face me. “RJ, he can sleep out here on the floor. Kendall and you will be fine in your room.”

Kendall lets out a sigh, “Tripp, for God’s sake, they’re not going to have monkey sex in the other room. Everyone is drunk as hell and we’re not fighting about this.”

Tripp lets go of his arm, but gives him a glare. “One more shot man, that’s all you get. If she gets hurt again, you have all of us to answer to.”

“I appreciate it brother, but nothing to worry about. If she takes me back, I may NEVER let go.”

I’m not sure what he means, but I like the sound of it.

We head to my room and I air kiss Tripp and Ken goodnight. Before we go to bed, I know I need to say something.

“Dec, we still need to talk. I’m too drunk to talk tonight, but I need to know what happened.”

“Sunday night at my place. I’ll make you dinner and tell you everything. I will beg, grovel, and plead to you for a chance to make this right between us. But tonight, I just want to hold you and wake with you in my arms.”

That sounds good. “Okay.”

He takes off his shirt and jeans and gets into bed in his boxers. He pulls me on the bed directly into him. He kisses my forehead and says, “Sweet dreams, Sparkle.”

*****

My phone rings in the bathroom, but I don’t have the energy to get up and answer it. Then I hear Finn’s phone start ringing in the living room. Coincidence? Who needs us both this early in the morning- or afternoon? I have no idea what time it is.

Warm arms wrap around my middle and I remember Declan is in bed with me. I start to move away, but decide I like the warmth instead. I lean closer into him and he squeezes me tight. He’s awake.

“Hey,” I say with sleep still in my voice.

“Hey back. Go back to sleep. I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“Why aren’t you asleep? What time is it?”

“I’m not sure of the time, but I’ve been awake for a little while.”

“Can’t sleep?”

“Admiring my view. You’re cute when you sleep.”

“You’ve been watching me sleep again? Isn’t that a little creepy?”

“Maybe it is, but it felt peaceful. I wasn’t sure if I’d ever get back to this place.”

“Dec, maybe we should talk about-“

“Shhh,” he presses his fingers to my lips. “We’ll talk tomorrow night. For now, just let me watch you. You really are beautiful.”

Fuck it, I reach up to kiss him and there’s a banging at my door. We both jump.

“RJ! 311 situation! ETA ten minutes! Are you awake?”

DAMN! “I am now. Be right out! You take the kitchen; I’ll get the living room.”

I jump out of bed like it’s on fire. I reach for a pair of sweats and yell at Declan, “Get up, get dressed, and get to the living room.”

I run to my bathroom and he looks stunned.

“What the hell is going on? What does 311 mean?”

“It’s a fucking code we use. It means my mother is on her way. She’ll be here in less than ten minutes. I’m not sure what’s going on, but I can promise it’s not good. She can’t find you in my bed; I would prefer to introduce you. Now get up and get dressed- PLEASE!!!”