Chapter 12
TWELVE
Brock
“I’m sorry, what?” Shepherd asks, laughing incredulously, his eyebrows shooting up in surprise.
“Yeah, I’m not getting up and dancing,” I say firmly, crossing my arms and leaning against the wall for emphasis. My stance leaves no room for negotiation.
Paxton had asked all of us to meet him in the ballroom, the same ballroom where we had those excruciating dance lessons a few days ago.
Memories of awkward shuffles and stepped-on toes come flooding back.
Only this time, he’s not alone. He’s standing with Hartford’s cousin, Ben, both of them looking far too pleased with themselves.
That’s going to be a big fucking no for me.
“So, here’s the plan,” Paxton begins, his enthusiasm palpable. “We thought it would be fun to surprise Hartford at her bachelorette party tonight with a dance performance.”
Ben nods eagerly. “Yeah, we just need you guys to get on board.”
I look around at the other guys, noting the mix of amusement and horror on their faces. Some are grinning, clearly up for the challenge, while others, like me, are decidedly less enthusiastic. The thought of performing in front of everyone, especially Willow, sends a wave of anxiety through me.
“Come on, it’ll be fun,” Paxton urges, trying to rally us. “Think of it as a final hurrah before Hartford and I tie the knot.”
Shepherd chuckles, still not entirely convinced. “You really think we can pull this off?”
Ben grins. “With a bit of practice, definitely. And besides, it’s not about perfection. It’s about making Hartford laugh and giving her a night to remember.”
Despite my initial reluctance, I can’t help but feel a tiny spark of curiosity. Maybe, just maybe, this crazy idea might turn out to be worth it.
“We aren’t asking you guys to get up there and strip, or do anything sexual,” Ben says, looking around at everyone.
“So what are you asking us to do?” Callum asks.
I look over at him and shake my head when it looks like he’s almost intrigued with the idea. Callum, the man who has no fun, who doesn’t do anything but work, is asking for more details. He’s supposed to be the loudmouth protesting this crazy idea.
“Ben has come up with a simple routine that we can all learn quickly. We’ll surprise the girls, especially Hartford, and perform it tonight. It’s going to be fun guys. The girls will get a kick out of it and I really want to do this for Hartford,” Paxton explains.
“The moves are easy and I’m an excellent teacher,” Ben adds.
“We keep our clothes on right?” Tripp asks with a raised brow.
“Fuck yes. There will be no dicks flying around,” Paxton says, causing everyone to laugh.
“Everyone will wear matching shirts and jeans. Nothing will come off,” Ben says, chuckling.
Matching shirts and dancing, it gets better and better. I can’t be the only one that thinks this is a ridiculous idea. I look around trying to find someone in the room who appears like they may protest—anyone besides me.
“I think it sounds like fun,” Lake says, smiling.
I snap my head toward him and narrow my eyes. Oh this asshole thinks it’s a good idea? He thinks it sounds like fun? Just as I think it, he turns his head and winks at me.
All right fucker, game on.
“Yeah, you know what, I’m in. I can’t wait to shake my ass for my girl out of the bedroom,” I say, puffing out my chest.
“Too much information, Brock, but thanks for being in,” Paxton says.
“As long as I keep my attention on Anya, I think I should be all right,” Griffin says.
“Gross, that’s our sister, Griff,” I shout.
He shrugs with a smug look on his face that makes me want to be on the opposite side of the room from him during this performance. But, the idea of dancing and gaining the attention of Willow is kind of enticing, especially after Lake’s comment.
“You mentioned matching shirts. What the hell is that all about?” Shepherd asks.
Paxton unbuttons his flannel shirt and exposes a t-shirt underneath that says, Groom. Ben proceeds to unbutton his shirt and he’s wearing a t-shirt that reads, Groom’s brew crew.
It’s ridiculous and yet somehow hilariously appropriate.
“Wow, I hate that I love that,” Tripp says.
“Fuck, me too,” I say, shaking my head with a smile.
“So, everyone is in?” Paxton asks.
We all agree and he throws his fist in the air. This idiot is so excited and so clearly in love that he doesn’t care what anyone thinks. It’s kind of cool to witness.
“Great, let's get started on learning the moves,” Ben says, grabbing a speaker and syncing it to his phone.
We’re all waiting by the bar in Trifecta. The excitement is palpable as we toss back a shot. The club is loud and crowded with screaming women, laughter, and dancing. The club definitely lives up to the hype.
The dance Ben taught us is easy, just like he said. He also said we could add to it, if the moment strikes. Paxton says he’s going to give Hartford a lap dance and we’ve all been begging him not to do it.
If nothing else, the girls will get a good laugh.
I know they’re all excited. Willow couldn’t stop talking about it while she got ready.
She talked and talked, and damn, when she walked out of the bathroom I had to hold onto the dresser.
Her brown hair was curled, her makeup was dark and smoky, but the tight black strapless dress she had on showing off her incredible body made it impossible to look away.
I wanted to tell her she looked fucking hot, but before the words could leave my mouth Anya knocked on the door and she rushed off with her.
“Are you guys almost ready?” Ben asks.
I sip my beer, trying to gain as much liquid courage as possible.
“Ready as I’ll ever be.”
Paxton tosses his arm over my shoulder and laughs. “It’s going to be so much fun. I mean hell, I saw Callum laugh today.”
“Shut up,” I laugh.
Callum protests, shaking his head. “I laugh a lot.”
“Not often,” Griffin adds.
“I was the grumpy one and I laughed more,” Shepherd says, raising his beer.
“He laughs when he’s making the schedule,” Tripp says with a smile. “It’s all sinister and shit. He gets a kick out of scheduling me all weekend.”
“Aren’t we supposed to be roasting on the groom?” Callum asks, tossing back a shot.
“You’re right.” I raise my eyebrows and grin. “Pax is so pussy-whipped he’s making us all dance for his girl,” I say.
“No better way to get a reaction from someone,” Lake comments, keeping his focus on his beer.
This guy is pushing my limits. I’m not usually a hotheaded person, but everything that comes out of his mouth makes me want to crack him in the mouth.
“Okay, it’s time,” Ben says with a huge smile.
We all follow him to the private VIP room that the girls are in.
Paxton is bouncing with excitement. Shepherd grabs his shoulder and whispers something in his ear.
Callum and Griffin are talking, causing Griffin to laugh.
Lake is walking beside Harrison who tries to make small talk but is greeted with silence.
Ben, Axel, and Damien are laughing with each other, sharing the same kind of bond that we have as brothers.
“Are you excited to dance for Willow?” Tripp asks.
I shrug as we walk. “Nothing she hasn’t seen before,” I lie.
“So, you guys are really into each other, huh? Like it’s something that's going to last right?”
I look at him as my eyebrows dip in confusion. “Why?”
“Just asking. I mean, you were with Millie and you didn’t seem this into her like you are with Willow. I guess I’m just checking is all.”
“It was different with Millie. There was nothing between us. No chemistry. She was nice, but we just didn’t fit together,” I explain.
He nods but doesn’t say anything else and before I can ask anything, Ben interrupts our conversation.
“Okay, I’ll introduce us and once the music starts, you guys know what to do. Don’t overthink it. It’s supposed to be fun.”
He opens the door to the private room and as we start to walk in the girls start shouting and screaming for us. It’s impossible not to laugh.
My eyes collide with Willow’s instantly, and she raises an eyebrow at me. I smile, and shoot her a wink.
All the guys get into position, Paxton in front and the rest of us in three rows behind him. Our backs are to the girls, but I peek over my shoulder to smile at Willow. I shouldn’t, but I mean what kind of fake boyfriend would I be if I didn’t, right?
I grin when I see she’s looking right at me and I toss her another wink. Why? To make it look good to everyone around us. At least that’s what I tell myself when I chuckle and turn around.
“Hartford, I’m so damn happy for you that you were able to find someone as amazing as Paxton.
I have no doubt that he will always keep things exciting and interesting.
” The room erupts in laughter and whistles.
“We decided to kick off the excitement with a little dance for not just you, but all you beautiful women. So get ready ladies for Paxton and his brew crew,” Clara announces into a microphone.
The smoke from the smoke machine starts and the music blares through the room. The song Paxton picked is SexyBack by Justin Timberlake.
As soon as he begins singing we spin around and throw our arms in the air. The girls go wild, screaming, laughing, and cheering.
My eyes lock with Willow’s as we start moving forward, reaching our arms out.
We stop and move our hips in a circular motion, causing the girls to scream.
All the girls except for Willow. Her eyes are running up and down my body as I move around.
It spurs me on and when Paxton does indeed straddle Hartford, we continue dancing.
Hands up and down, hips sway, and thrust forward.
“Hell yes. Look at my guy,” Felicity shouts, twirling a boa in the air.
“Griffin,” Anya yells, laughing.
February covers her face as she laughs watching Harrison. Clara, Emma, and Shayne, the triplet’s wives, are screaming and dancing as they watch their husbands.
“Paxton, Oh my God,” Hartford shouts, laughing as he grinds against her to the beat of the song.
We continue our dance of arms up and down, hips swaying, and thrust forward as we move back and forth.
Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Lake moving closer to the front and toward Willow. I shake my head, still staying with the beat as I reach down and grab Willow’s hand. Ben said to improvise if we felt it, so that’s exactly what I’m gonna do.
I hold her close to me as I continue swaying my hips and thrusting them forward—against her.
“Brock,” she whispers, her eyes darkening.
“You look fucking sexy as hell,” I say, thrusting my hips.
“Fuck yeah, Willow and Brock,” Hartford shouts as Paxton moves back to us.
I lean forward and press a soft kiss to the corner of her mouth before releasing her. “I should’ve told you that earlier,” I say, moving back into position.
We all finish the dance by bending at the knees and going onto our sides, resting our heads on our hands.
The noise level from the girls is deafening as we finish. I stand up, breathing heavily as I look around. As my eyes move toward Willow, she’s stepping up to me, biting her lip.
“That was hot,” she says, wrapping her arms around my neck.
I don’t know if she’s being real or if she’s playing her part like a paid actress and fuck, I’m hoping it’s not the latter.
Because right now, nothing I’m feeling is fake.