Take My Dress Off (2 page)

“Wanna trade partners?”

“Oh, c’mon, you’re not being fair,” I chastised. “Chaz did improve from when we first started. And he’s a good sport. I’m sure he has better things to do.”

I glanced over at him talking with Dillon. Normally, I would be drooling over Dillon while my body exploded in hormones but now…something was different. Dillon was leaning into Chaz who was listening intently, his eyes narrowed, his brow furrowed. Chaz nodded a few times and then they both looked over to me.

Busted.

Dillon lazily sauntered up to me, his grin becoming wider with each step. One small butterfly danced softly in my stomach. He stopped in front of me and raised his brows.

“What?” I squeaked up to him, my throat dry.

“You’re blocking my ball.”

“Excuse me?” I gasped. Danielle burst out laughing. Dillon didn’t release his gaze as he squatted down between my legs, his hands resting on my knees. He reached under the bench with one hand, his head lowering even closer to my thighs as he reached for the soccer ball. I was sure I was having a heart attack as my chest tightened from this intimate and public gesture. He grinned and pushed off my knees to stand.

“See ya,” he called, gave me a peck on the cheek, and tossed the ball to Chaz who was watching this production from across the room, a look of disapproval on his face. I caught his eyes and felt foolish, that he saw me fall apart like that. He tossed the ball back to Dillon and slowly lifted his hand and waved then followed Dillon and the rest of the guys out of the room.

Danielle pulled me up from my collapsed state against the bench. “Dillon is such an asshole. He knows you’ve got it bad for him and he loves fucking you up. I mean he’s cute as hell and everything but I don’t know why you’re so crazy for him.”

I picked up my bag, stuffed my pumps inside, and searched for my car keys.

“Dillon’s been seeing Jordan for a month now. So of course he’s screwing her.”

“Danielle, gross!”

“Paige, you need to crush on a guy that’s available.”

We stepped outside into the afternoon heat and walked down the steps. Dillon was climbing into Jordan’s jeep. She slid into the passenger seat and he tossed her his precious soccer ball. He hopped into the driver’s seat and fired up the jeep.

Chaz was behind the wheel of an old blue ‘65 Mustang convertible, one hand on the wheel, one tapping against the outside of the door, The Cure blasting from the radio.

“See you next time, ladies.” Donny brushed past us, his black backpack slung over one shoulder. He hopped over the passenger door into the front seat next to Chaz and the Mustang roared off onto the road.

“Working tonight?” I asked as we walked to my car. Danielle worked at the mall. I hoped my modeling jobs would continue to pay well so I wouldn’t have to get a job at the mall or Rocket’s Drive-in like everyone else.

“Yeah, Miller’s Outpost
sucks but at least it’s air conditioned,” she laughed. “We can’t all be Christie Brinkley like you.”

“Maddie this
makes no sense, in fact I think it’s ridiculous,” I said as we sat on her bed and folded towels.

For the last set of the show formal wear would be shown. Rory thought it would be cute if Donny and I lip-synched a song next to a piano as the homecoming dresses were shown. The models would present like they were at a school dance in a gym and would be called out of the dance to come down the runway to model the clothes.

Maddie pursed her lips and stopped folding. “I really want you to do it, the audience will love it.”

I didn’t think they would love it. In fact I was sure I would be ridiculed for months.

“What song?”
Oh God, please don’t let it be something lame.

“I don’t know, Rory picked something.” Maddie’s reply did not ease my concern. It was probably something stupid from
Flashdance
. We already had a routine to Shandi Sinnamon’s
He’s a Dream
.

That afternoon Donny and I stood next to a piano that had been pushed into the dance room. Rory came over and handed us sheets of notebook paper.

“Here are the lyrics. Get the words down and I’ll be back in ten to work on your blocking.”

I searched for the title at the top of the page.
Almost Paradise?
I screamed silently in my head as the blood drained from my face. I looked up at Donny who was already mouthing the words, his eyes scanning the page.

“What?” He narrowed his amber eyes as I continued to stare in disbelief.

“You’re okay with this?”

“It’s a great way to show the formal wear. I picked the music and Rory planned the routine.” He went back to mouthing the lyrics.

“Great,” I mumbled.

We worked through the song a few times, holding magic markers for microphones as Rory placed us in different positions. The models began to dance in pairs to the right of us. I looked at Danielle and Chaz as they danced by. Chaz was staring into the mirror and Danielle rolled her eyes at me.

“No, no, stop, cut the music,” called Maddie walking over to us. “This isn’t working.”
Thank God! Someone had finally come to their senses.
“I’m sorry, Donovan, but Paige looks like your little sister, not a romantic love interest.” I let out a sigh of relief and turned away from the piano. “You stay right where you are young lady,” fired Maddie. “Dillon, come over here.”

Just when I thought it couldn’t get worse!

“Donovan, take Dillon’s place with Marissa.”

Marissa Scott and I had been friends since elementary school. She used to live across the street until her parents divorced two years ago and we slowly drifted apart due to lack of proximity and the fact that we just didn’t have anything in common anymore. I started modeling and she got into cheerleading. Now she was attached to Varsity Cheer Captain, Piper Agar’s hip.

I could tell Donny was disappointed that he was losing the spotlight. He liked being the center of attention but he shrugged it off. Marissa looked pissed because she had lost Dillon. She had a big crush on him (who didn’t?) and tossed her perfectly feathered auburn hair to one side, her hands on her hips. Dillon stared in disbelief then walked over to the piano. He picked up the paper and the marker.

Rory told Dillon to put his arm around me and I tensed.

“Start the music,” she called. Dillon glanced from the paper to me and back to the paper. I felt as though all the air had been sucked out of the room. This was torture! I had to stand here in front of everyone mouthing these words to Dillon? Are you freaking kidding me? I prayed for the floor to open and suck me down as Dillon serenaded me. Why was it so damn hot in here? Hello? A fan maybe? I began to fan myself with the paper.

Dillon whispered down to me, “You’re not even trying.”

“This is lame. I can’t believe you don’t think so.”

“I didn’t say that,” he grinned. “But I get it. It’s kinda sweet.”

“I need some air.” I spun on my heel abandoning Dillon at the piano and walked into the hall.

My unrequited love would be on display for the entire convention center! For three minutes and fifty one seconds I really would be in Almost Paradise and then the song would end and I would go back to being a girl in love with a guy who wouldn’t love her back. Danielle was right, this was going nowhere. I’d been crushing on Dillon for almost an entire year! A freaking year! I was wasting my youth away pining after this guy. I was so tired of getting my hopes up from a touch or a glance that promised more, only to watch him go off with Jordan or some other girl. In that moment I made a decision to no longer be lonely.

Dillon’s voice echoed down the hall. “Paige, you need to come back. They’re ready to start again.” I leaned into the drinking fountain and splashed some water on my face. I took my place at the piano and gazed at Chaz tripping over Danielle as I pretended to sing about forever with Dillon. Then everything became clear. Chaz looked over and flashed a warm smile at me. I didn’t feel hysteria, no explosions, but definitely a delicious warmth that spread from my head to my toes.

***

Two days before the show we were standing on the main stage of the convention center going over the sets. Maddie barked the counts as the stage shook beneath us. Rory shouted, “kick-ball-change, kick-ball-change, ladies!” The guys strutted down the runway to
He’s a Dream
as the girls danced behind them. We were exhausted and Rory wasn’t letting up as she pounded her stick on the floor in time to the music. I watched Chaz as he strutted down the runway. Whenever he got to the end he would suck in his cheeks before nodding his head, then turn. Maddie yelled at him to cut it out but I thought his nervous tick was adorable.

“Maddie hates me,” laughed Chaz as he walked up to me.

“No she doesn’t, she’s hard on everyone. She wants the show to be perfect. Maddie appreciates that you’re here, stepping in at the last moment. The rest of us have been working together for quite a while.” He leaned against the railing and tapped his long fingers, unconvinced.  “You really are doing a great job for your first time modeling.

“It’s fun, I guess. At least I don’t have to lip synch,” he teased. He grabbed my hand and pressed it to his chest. “
Almost paradise
…” he sang. I giggled as he continued to sing.

“Hey, are you trying to steal my job?” asked Dillon, turning our twosome into a threesome.

“Nope, just your girl.” Chaz pulled me closer.

My face fell as my heart sank into my stomach. “I’m not his girl,” I said coolly.

“Oh, my mistake. I thought you two were…uh…together.”

I moved away from Chaz and his eyes searched from mine to Dillon’s.

“She’s too good for me,” smiled Dillon, trying to shrug out of the thick tension that was spiraling around our awkward little triangle. He leaned in and kissed me on the cheek. “The piano in ten.”

I watched after him as he walked away. As usual I was watching him walk away. Hot tears stung my eyes, my heart betraying me once again. I turned away from Chaz so he wouldn’t see how pathetic I was.

“I’m really sorry,” he said, squeezing my shoulder. “I didn’t mean to start anything.”

“You don’t need to apologize.” I turned back to him. “I’m just being stupid, I’m just…”

“…a girl who’s in love with someone who doesn’t deserve her,” he said finishing my sentence. He wiped the tears from my face with his thumbs. My tears returned from his kindness.

“C’mon,” he said. He put his arm around me, pulling me tightly to his side. During the last three weeks we had gotten to know one another and it was comforting to lean on him. We went down the ramp, off the stage, and behind a black curtain to the restrooms.

“Get yourself together. We’ll go back and you can get this over with.” I nodded and went in. An older woman was drying her hands at the sink. I looked at my reflection in the mirror. I was all puffy and blotchy. Gross!

“Are you okay, dear?” asked the woman. I nodded.  She smiled back sympathetically, put her rings back on and left. Great, now old ladies were feeling sorry for me. I splashed water on my face and patted dry with a paper towel. I was truly a basket case. I was crying over losing a guy that I never had to begin with.

This. Had. To. Stop.

I heard raised voices as I pushed open the door. Dillon was standing across from Chaz, his arms crossed as Chaz glared at him.

“She needs to come out of there. Maddie’s getting pissed.”

“She’ll come out when she’s ready,” said Chaz. “Quit hassling her.”

“What’s going on?” I walked up and stood between them.

“Maddie’s having a cow,” said Dillon. “We need to get the last set done so we can get out of here on time.”

“Fine,” I said numbly and brushed past him.

After getting read the riot act about responsibility and maturity from Maddie I took my place next to the piano with Dillon and stood like a wooden doll. More like a puppet. Dillon’s puppet.

“What the hell?” mouthed Danielle as she glided by with Chaz. He leaned down and whispered into her ear and she nodded, shaking her head as she looked back at me with disgust. Dillon had the sense not to push me and didn’t try to act out our endless love as Ann Wilson and that Loverboy guy poured their hearts out to each other.

“It better look awesome next time you two,” glared Rory. I heard Dillon suck in his breath and knew that he wanted to throw me under the bus.

“Trouble in almost paradise?” Donny raised his dark eyebrows. “Seriously guys, you’ve really got to go full out or we’ll all look stupid. Whatever it is, work it out.”

“Don’t worry, we will. Right, baby?” Dillon smirked as he squeezed me to his waist.

“Of course, honey.” I smirked back and punched his arm.

I groaned.
“Is this really the last box?”

“Yes, you can put it down next to the bed,” said Jen brushing away the sandy blonde hair stuck to her face. Jen and I had met at the ranch where I boarded my horse. She and I had quickly become friends. Her parents were divorced and she lived with her father, Rex. Today I was helping Jen move into their new house, a sprawling, brick, ranch style home on five acres in Fallbrook. I planned on hanging out with her all summer because she had a pool.

“This is great, Jen. I’m so jealous that you have a pool. And your horses are in your backyard!” I had always dreamed of having a place in the country but Maddie was not a country girl. She had a hard enough time settling in the suburbs of Vista.

“You can bring your horse over for the summer if you want, there’s plenty of room.”

“You better ask your dad and makes sure it’s okay,” I warned, though I knew Rex wouldn’t care but Maddie would say no. Jen was so lucky, she did whatever she wanted. Rex treated her like an adult. She had just turned eighteen and was headed off to college at U.C. Davis in a few months.

“Want some iced tea?” Jen snapped me out of my thoughts. I followed her into the kitchen and gazed out at the sparkling pool as she poured the tea. “This has got to go.” She pointed at the refrigerator. “Avocado green, so rank. This place is totally seventies. It’s like the Brady Bunch in here.”

“Their kitchen was orange.”

“Why do you know that?” she laughed. “Whatever, it’s still totally gross. This place needs a serious update.”

We spent the rest of the afternoon bobbing around the pool on inflatable chairs and I told her what was going on with the show and Dillon.

“Paige, you really need to stop crushing on this guy.”

Jen was right, Danielle was right, everyone was right.

“Find somebody else. You’re about to start your senior year of high school. Believe me, it goes by so fast. You don’t want to waste it waiting around on some dumb guy.”

I told Jen about Chaz.

How he was nice, gorgeous, and kind.

How he made my heart race not pound.

How he made me feel good when I was with him.

“He drives a blue Mustang?” asked Jen.

“Yes.”

“Convertible?”

“Ya, why?”

“There’s a cute guy who lives at the ranch down the road who has an old Mustang. I’ve seen him drive by a few times.”

“No way!” I flipped off the chair and swam toward her. “Let’s get the horses and ride down there. I want to see if it’s him!”

We slipped on t-shirts and shorts, quickly bridled the horses, and rode bareback down the road.  Twenty minutes later we were gazing at his house from the fence.

It. Was. Huge.

There was a long circular gravel driveway surrounding a large lawn with a huge tree in the middle. A courtyard with a fountain led to a white adobe Spanish style home with a red tile roof and wooden carved front doors. Rows and rows of lime trees flanked the house on each side. Sitting in the driveway on the side of the house was the blue Mustang convertible.

“That’s his car. I don’t believe it, what a coincidence! What should I do?”

“Well, you can’t sit out here all day staring at his house. That’s a little creepy,” said Jen.

“Should I knock on the door? Would that seem weird?”

“Yes and yes.”

“Jen,” I whined. “C’mon, I’m totally serious.” Butterflies were bouncing in my stomach and I began to regret my impulsive decision to come down here. I could have glanced at the house after leaving Jen’s later.

“Look, he’s coming out!” squealed Jen.

“Shit!” I cried. “Turn around!” I tugged the reins, kicked Goldy in the side, and spun him around.

“Too late,” Jen called. “He sees you. He’s coming down the driveway.” I tightened the reins and turned Goldy back around, nudging him forward. Chaz was jogging down the paved drive toward us and waved.

“Paige?” called Chaz. “Is that you?” He cautiously came up to the side of Goldy.

“Hi, Chaz. This is my friend, Jen.” He nodded at Jen and looked up to me. “Jen just moved in down the road and we were out for a ride. I noticed your car…”

“Do you want to come over and go swimming with us?” Jen piped up. I shot her an,
I can’t believe you said that
look.

Chaz looked back and forth between Jen and me. “Why not. Let me change and I’ll be right back.” He jogged back down the drive.

Jen giggled when he was out of range. “Holy shit, he’s cute. I can’t wait to see him half-naked.”

“Hands off, Jen.”

“He’s not my type anyway.”

Chaz returned on an old, beat up BMX bike (that was way too small for him) in a turquoise tank top and white Ocean Pacific board shorts.

“Lose the bike. You can ride with Paige,” ordered Jen.

“No way. I don’t like horses. And they totally don’t like me. My sister had one and it bucked me off.”

“Oh, everyone has a bad horse story,” she chastised.

I slid down from Goldy’s back and faced him squarely. “Face your fears,” I challenged.

He thought for a moment then tossed his bike onto the lawn. Jen held the reins and I gave him a leg up. Then he offered his arm and hauled me up. Jen tossed the reins at him as I settled behind.

“I don’t want to drive,” said Chaz. “You do it.”

“You can do it,” I coaxed. I put the reins into his left hand. “Goldy neck reins, it’s really simple. Plus, we’re going in a straight line. I’ll be the co-pilot.” I gave Goldy a kick and he began to walk. Chaz tensed up and tightened his legs around Goldy’s belly. Goldy responded by tossing his head and trotting.

“Whoa!” yelled Chaz and yanked back on the reins. Goldy threw his head in the air and stretched his neck out. “How do I slow him down?”

“Stop gripping with your legs,” I warned. “That means go faster.”  We bounced uncomfortably as Goldy trotted faster and faster. I put my arms around Chaz’s waist to balance. Well kind of. I just wanted to put my arms around him. His body felt hard and toned and the lingering scent of Polo cologne clung to his neck, like he had put it on a long time ago. I tried not to laugh. Jen was not trying at all. I could hear her giggles as we passed her.

“Whoa, Goldy, easy.” I put my hands over Chaz’s death grip on the reins and gently pulled back. Goldy slowed back down to a walk.

“Make him stop, I’ll walk.”

“You’re doing fine,” I reassured. “Just relax.” Goldy continued to walk and Chaz relaxed too. We settled into a nice pace and I kept my arms around him. I wanted to press my cheek into his back but I controlled myself. When we got to Jen’s house I dismounted and took the reins.

“How do I get off this thing?” he asked.

“Lean forward and swing your leg around. Then lean on your stomach and slide off.” Chaz cautiously followed my directions, relieved as he stood firmly on the ground.

“That wasn’t so bad, huh, Chaz?” asked Jen.

“That was great. NOT,” laughed Chaz. “Yep, I for sure still hate horses.”

“Wuss!” teased Jen.

I handed her the reins and she headed off to the barn to put the horses away while Chaz and I walked to the pool.

“Nice place,” he commented as he looked around. “She just moved in?”

“Three days ago.” I shrugged out of my t-shirt and tossed it onto a lounge chair. Chaz did the same and dove into the pool. I slipped my shorts off as he popped up from under the water and shook his head, spraying water all over me.

“C’mon, what’s taking you so long, slowpoke?” he teased and splashed water at me.

“That’s it. You’re dead!” I jumped in next to him. We started a splash fight which progressed to wrestling and eventually to him playfully tossing me across the pool.

“Hey, that’s not fair.” I brushed the water from my face and retied my ponytail.

“Do I need to separate you two?” Jen slowly lowered herself into the water and I glanced at Chaz to see if he was noticing her. Jen had curves. Jen had boobs, big ones, and they were stuffed into a yellow bikini halter top constructed of tiny triangles. He didn’t seem to notice.

We spent the rest of the afternoon bobbing around on floats with the occasional water fight when Chaz decided I had dried off too much. As the sun shifted to the side of the house it started to cool off and so did we. We climbed onto the loungers and wrapped ourselves in big Nautica beach towels.

Chaz closed his eyes, a small smile extending across his full lips. “You ready for tomorrow?” he asked. “For
Almost Paradise
?”

“You know it. Are you ready for your first show?”

He opened his eyes. “Can’t wait. I get to have my first time with you,” he winked. I almost fell off the chair. Did he really just say that?
Did it mean something?

Jen stood up and began to towel off. “I gotta get ready for work.” She was a greeter at Land and Sea Steakhouse and hated it. “You guys can hang out if you want.”

Chaz swung his long legs onto the concrete and stretched. “Actually, I need to get going too.” I couldn’t help but glance at his well-toned stomach as he extended his arms over his head. I felt heat rising up my neck and it wasn’t because it was hot. His eyes locked with mine and my face reddened for being caught. He snapped his towel at my legs and narrowed his green eyes. “I’m not riding back on that crazy horse. I’ll walk home, thank you very much.”

“I’m heading back that way, I can drop you off,” I offered way too quickly. He replied by offering his hand and pulling me from the chair.

The drive was quick. “You can drop me here,” he said as I turned into the driveway. “I need to check the mail.” He turned toward me and pursed his lips, like he wanted to say something but changed his mind. I felt like I was burning up. It was hot in my car and the air conditioning was just starting to pump out cold air but I didn’t think that was the reason. I didn’t want this day to end so soon. I felt relaxed, like I could be myself. I was always on edge with Dillon. I wondered what Chaz had planned for the rest of the day? Tonight?

He covered my hand that was on the gear stick with his. I sucked in my breath as he gazed thoughtfully into my eyes.

“Thanks for the swim. It was fun hanging out with you and not having to worry about eight counts,” he grinned. I agreed by giggling like an idiot and said a breathy goodbye as he stepped out of the car. He turned and paused just before he closed the door, his tall frame leaning into the car. “A bunch of us are going to see
The Rocky Horror Picture
Show
at the drive-in tonight. Want to go?”

A date? Was this a date? Is he asking me out on a date?
I had to bite my cheeks to keep from grinning from ear to ear.

“Danielle and I might hang out but uh… no major plans. Sure.”

“It starts at midnight. I can pick you up around eleven?”

Yes, I believe this is going to be a date.

“That sounds good.” My heart was soaring!

“Great. Ask Danielle if she wants to come along,” he smiled. “The more the merrier, right?”

My heart plunged into my stomach. This was not a date.

“Okay,” I said trying to mask my disappointment.

“See you tonight.” He shut the door and I backed my car down the driveway. He waved as I passed him at the mailbox.
Obsession
by Animotion blared from the car’s speakers. How fitting.

I would make sure that Danielle had other plans.

***

Danielle said she had already planned to ditch me tonight to go out with her on-again-off-again boyfriend, Shane Davis. Shane had just finished his first year at San Diego State and in my opinion, was a total and complete asshole. I was a wreck! I didn’t know what to wear but she offered to come over and turn me into an irresistible knockout.

“What about this?” She held up a hot pink Esprit blouse.

“No way, that’s totally old.”

“Paige, I give up. We’ve gone through everything in your closet.”

“I have no clothes.” I sulked on my bed.

“You have plenty of clothes. You just don’t have any
new
clothes.”

“Give me your outfit.” She looked hot in a tight, black, mini-skirt and gold sleeveless crop top.

“Not even, bitch,” she smirked and rested her hands on her hips, her gold bangles ringing as they slid to her wrists.

“Fine. I’ll wear the Espirit blouse,” I groaned. She paired it with tight, white, cropped pants, a silver belt, and I pulled out my silver pumps from underneath my bed.

“Pumps? Seriously?”

I looked her up and down. “You’re wearing pumps.”

“I’m going to a very grown-up dinner in Pacific Beach. You’ll be stumbling around in the dirt at the drive-in with a bunch of kids.”

“I am a professional, I can scale fences in these babies. If wearing pumps was an Olympic event I’d get the gold.”

“Fine, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.”