Perfect Summer by Bethany Lopez
Mitch
After a long day at work, and a hot shower to wash all the paint off, I was spiffed up and ready to enjoy a night with friends at Pony Up.
I parked my truck and started toward the bar. The live music could be heard faintly from outside, and I hoped Tucker was playing tonight. I always loved listening to him jam while I enjoyed a cold brew.
When I opened the door, the sounds from inside hit me and I couldn’t help but grin as I looked around the familiar surroundings.
I’d always loved Mason Creek. Unlike a lot of the people I grew up with, small-town living suited me just fine, and I’d never had the urge to escape to the city. I enjoyed spending time with people I’d known all my life, the familiarity of the city square, and the myriad of festivals we had throughout the year.
Pony Up was just as it had always been, with the bar in the center and the same stools I’d been sitting on since I was old enough to drink legally.
I glanced at the stage where Tucker was singing and lifted my chin in greeting when I caught his eye. He was playing a slow song, so the couples on the floor were mostly two-stepping, although you had the occasional swayers.
I gave the room a quick perusal and headed to the left when I saw Wilder standing next to a table talking to some of our buddies.
As I made my way through the crowd, I waved at Grady, Malcolm, and Ryder, who were seated at the bar, and shot a wink at Emma working behind it. I was stopped a few times by other people wanting to say hi until I eventually reached Wilder and the guys.
“Hey, how’s it going?” I asked as I joined the table.
“We were just telling Wilder you two should grab a chair,” Brayden, the CEO of the bank, replied.
Wilder looked at me and I nodded.
“Yeah, sounds good,” I said as I took a seat in between Beau, who works at the body shop, and Wyatt, a Mason Creek cop.
We ordered a pitcher, some nachos, and wings, and I settled back in my chair to enjoy the music.
Wilder caught my eye and then turned his face toward the dance floor. When I followed his gaze, I saw Faith line dancing and laughing with Olivia, her best friend and Ryder’s soon-to-be ex-wife.
Damn, she sure could fill out a pair of jeans.
I mentally kicked myself for still having those kinds of thoughts about Faith. Hadn’t I learned anything over the last decade? Am I simply a glutton for punishment?
When my eyes got stuck watching the swivel of her hips, I realized, no, I hadn’t, and yes, I was.
It was frustrating to realize that none of the women I’d met or attempted to date over the years had made me feel a tenth of what simply watching Faith move on the dance floor did. With a big smile on her face and her hair swinging as she moved, she was simply the most stunning woman in the room.
I guess I was one of those men who had only one great love in their life. While I unfortunately was obviously not hers, it looked like I was destined to love Faith for the rest of my days, and no other woman would come close to making me feel the way she did.
When Tucker changed to another slow song, I downed my beer and muttered, “Fuck it,” before rising and crossing to where Faith was now standing, off to the side of the dance floor.
She would either recoil from me in horror or be too aware of the town watching to say no.
I was praying for the latter.
Once I was behind her, I cleared my throat and asked, “Care to dance?”
Olivia’s eyes widened at my request and Faith looked over her shoulder briefly before her lips parted and she slowly turned toward me.
I could see the wheels spinning as she tried to decide what her answer should be.
Not wanting her to put too much thought into it and freak herself out, I shrugged and said, “Come on, it’s just a dance.”
I held out my hand expectantly, and when she looked down at it and then placed her hand in mine, I felt ridiculously victorious.
I turned, grasping her hand softly, and led her back onto the floor as one of Garth’s greatest hits filled the room. Once we were in position, we began to move, and it was just like coming home again.
We’d danced at countless school dances, town fairs, and family cookouts. It was like our muscle memory picked up right where our last dance left off and we glided easily around the floor.
Faith was the first girl I’d ever danced with, and I’d always been convinced she’d be my last.
I watched her try to look anywhere but at me. Still, even though she tried to remain aloof, I heard her breath catch and felt a little shiver beneath my hand as a result of our first physical contact.
“We still got it,” I said, trying to keep my voice even, although I could feel the emotion clogging my throat.
Holding her feels so right.
She looked up with me with a slight quirk of her lip and said softly, “You always were a good partner.”
I must have flinched at her words because I saw regret flash across her face, and I lost the heat of her as she took a step back and stopped.
“This was a mistake,” Faith said, before turning and fleeing the dance floor.
I put my hands in my pockets and dipped my chin to the ground as I struggled to shake off everything those few seconds with Faith had me feeling. I wasn’t sure if it was nostalgia, the crazy chemistry we’d always shared, or the fact that I hadn’t loved anyone since her, but I wasn’t sure I liked it.
She was right, it had been a mistake, I thought, ignoring the eyes drilling into the back of my head as I found my way back to the table.
“You all right, man?” Wilder asked as I sat and filled up my glass.
“I don’t know, brother … I don’t know.”