Chapter 12 #2
“You didn’t get along in school? I didn’t even know the two of you crossed paths.
Or did you cross women?” Beckett was one of the most popular kids in school, prom king two years in a row, and he had his pick of dates whenever he wanted them.
Bishop’s popularity was of a different sort.
More rebel without a cause and mysterious-aura charm that had plenty of women lining up to be his if he’d ever pick one of them.
“Yeah, honey. You.”
“What?” I ask as the music slows. I swore I wasn’t going to stay out here more than one song with him. I didn’t want to look like I was being rude, even if he caught me off guard. But now I’m too curious to leave.
“You don’t remember him asking you to prom senior year? Sending those secret Valentine’s Day flowers?”
“No. Or I guess, I don’t remember it being him. It was a long time ago.”
“Well, I promise he didn’t forget.”
“And neither did you apparently.”
“Hard to forget. Almost broke my hand on his face.”
“You fought over that?”
“He implied you’d never stoop to my level.”
“That’s ridiculous.” I flash a look back at Carson in belated anger on Bishop’s behalf.
“I thought so too.” He grins and pulls me a little closer. “Especially when I spent that night with your legs wrapped around me.”
“Bishop,” I scold him, but it’s only halfhearted because when he’s holding me like this, an old song playing as we make our way across the floor, and I can hear the sound of his amusement in his voice, I miss those nights. I miss him.
“So you see why you can’t be letting him into your bed tonight, right? It’d restart a decades-long grudge match.”
“Is that what this is about?” I pull back to look him in the eyes, searching them for answers to questions I’m not even sure how to ask. After spending that weekend together, I’m struggling with how to keep my guard up around him.
“No. This is about me wanting to dance with you. I didn’t spend all night running other men off to let him get the first one.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Nothing. Just ignore me and listen to the music, Jones.”
“Are you the reason no man in a thousand feet will look my way?” It’s suddenly coming together.
“Nah. That was Jack’s doing.”
“Jack? The security guy?”
“Yeah. I told him to keep the all-hat, no-cattle types out of your way. But then I forgot that he and Carson go way back. I won’t make that mistake again.”
“Bishop…” I sigh. “Finding someone to date in this town is hard enough as a divorced single mom. Add the Stockton thing in, and well… I don’t need you mucking it up.”
“You dating already?”
“Maybe. Ethan already went on a date. Why shouldn’t I?”
“He told you that?”
“We’re still friends. Co-parenting and all that. Besides. I don’t mind. I’m happy for him. Everyone thinks I’m supposed to hate him. I don’t. Just because we didn’t work out doesn’t mean he doesn’t deserve to be happy.”
“So you’re not still pining after him?”
“No. Not at all. I just—” I stop short when I realize I’m not talking to Dakota or Hazel, or one of my friends back in Boston. Bishop has a way of making me feel at ease. Even after all this time.
“Just what?”
“I just want to get it out of the way.”
“You’re gonna have to be more specific, Jones.” But I can tell from his smirk he has an inkling of what I mean.
“The first one-night stand. All my other divorced friends said it’s usually a little awkward, but it’s uphill from there.
So I figure the sooner, the better.” I feel like I’m oversharing, and when he stays silent, I ramble on, teasing him by gently punching his shoulder. “And you’re ruining all my prospects!”
“Can’t blame me for not wanting to watch you dance with someone else, Jones.”
“Well, I think you’ve scared them all away. For tonight at least.”
“Good.”
“How would you like it if I did that to you?”
“I wouldn’t mind.”
“Your girlfriend might.”
“No girlfriend.”
“Lover. Friend with benefits. Whatever you want to call her.”
He pretends to be deep in thought and then shakes his head. “None of those either.”
“You can’t expect me to believe you’re going home alone every night.”
“Nah. Some nights, I take care of the mother of my child while she flirts with my friend.”
“I was not flirting with him! I was being friendly. Who flirts when they’re snotty and raspy and wearing sweats? Not me.”
“He was bragging about it is all I’m saying. Even while she was sick in bed, Aspen Stockton took time to tell him what a hero he was.” Bishop’s trying hard not to crack a smile and failing.
“Aspen Stockton. Like I’m some sort of celebrity. Please.” I roll my eyes as another song starts. I’ve lost track of which number it is. I’m too lost in my conversation with him to care.
“I think you underestimate the way a room stops when you walk in.”
“I think you overestimate my importance. It’s proximity to power that makes people look twice, not me.
They fear my brothers and want gossip to run home with about our family.
Or something that gives them hope that one of my brothers is single again.
I’m half certain that Grant and Dakota’s wedding day is going to be declared a town-wide day of mourning.
” I catch a glimpse of the table that was watching me earlier and see one of them leaning over to whisper to her friend.
“And you won’t even let me give them something to talk about in the group chat tomorrow. ”
“Sorry for the inconvenience.”
“Yeah, well… You’ll have to make it up to me.”
“How’d you like me to do that?”
I could think of a half dozen ways this man was very good at making me forget why I was ever mad in the first place.
He turns me around, spinning us in a way that has his arms crossing over my body and my back flush against him, his lips close to my ear as he hums along to the song and his cologne enveloping me.
“I’ve got a room upstairs.”
The words are out before I can stop them. It’s impulsive. Reckless even.
I can’t afford for us to lose this easy conversation we’ve managed to find again, but having it makes me feel close to him again.
I’m reminded of all the reasons this man holds my imagination captive.
So much so that I still dream about him.
My heart’s pounding in my chest, and it quickens its pace the longer the silence drags on.