Page 56 of The Second Dance
The two of them walk away and just as he’s turning, he winks at me.
My stomach turns.
He and I are nothing alike.
31.
Bo
I stand outside The Go Around, wondering if it’s too late toturnaround.
Mitch and Cody come around the corner in a burst of laughter, knocking into each other. They catch sight of me and grin. “Bobo!”
Mitch slings an arm around my shoulder. “Couldn’t stay away, could you?”
He smells like cigarettes. Aunt Tanya would have a fit.
“I figured Grandma Thomas would haunt me if I didn’t at least make an appearance.”
“I saw your little Miss Andy at the ceremony. I can see the appeal.” He glances back at Cody. “That pink dress, am I right, Cody?”
Cody shrugs, looking bored.
I shake Mitch’s arm from my shoulder. “She’s not my girl.”
“I know, dude. I’m just saying. Time has been kind. She was cute in high school, but now she’s a bombshell.” He grabs Cody and drags him with us. “But listen, half the school has turned out. It’s like a damn high school reunion in there. Plenty of girls to choose from, my man.”
I’m not trying to choose from the girls. I’m nursing a broken heart, and I’d really rather be anywhere else. But I already skipped the ribbon ceremony. Skipping the reception too might send the wrong message. People will notice my presence or my absence. Might as well turn the tables in my favor.
The Go Around is the only bar in town. Pretty much all the small towns in Thorne County support one bar at best.
It’s oddly posh for a small town like Clark. But it’s famous for its New York Strip and people come from miles around to eat here.
We step in and I take in the familiar brass details, the old timey stained glass. It’s a little like stepping back in time. Especially with all the classmates loitering around. A number of them call out my name when they see me. It’s almost like I’m coming back after a victorious football game.
Usually, I kind of like this sort of reception. But after everything between Andy and me, it feels a little suffocating. It’s all well and good to get a lot of attention when you want it, but when you’d rather just blend in, it’s almost painful.
Everyone is looking.
Everyone is judging.
I break away from Mitch, claiming I have to go to the bathroom. I do head that direction, but I turn left instead of right, towards the quieter back halls. The private dining rooms are on this side of the building and I know I can get a little breather here for as long as I need it.
Unfortunately, someone else knows about this back area, too.
Andy’s leaning against a wall, thumbing through her phone. The light from the screen casts an ethereal glow on her face.
The pink dress.
Ah. I see what Mitch was talking about. It’s ultra girly. With eyelet lace along the bottom. She’s wearing an oversized cardigan over it, but it’s slipped down her arm, revealing the strap tied into a delicate bow on her bare shoulder.
I want to tug at the loose ends of that bow, see what happens to the dress when the strings come untied. I shove my hands into my pockets instead. “Hi.”
She does a double take when she sees me, instantly straightening. “Hey.”
“I heard it was a nice ceremony.”
“Yeah. It went off without a hitch.” She pauses, smoothing her hands over her skirt. “Nice of your dad to donate to the foundation.”
