‘No way,’ Barry says with a confident gleam in his eye. ‘These young ’uns wouldn’t have the first clue about booty poppin’.’
My eyes go wide and I grab Barry’s arm. ‘I don’t have the first clue about booty poppin’!’ Why are my team so calm? This is going to be next-level embarrassing. Why couldn’t we have a singalong to ‘All I Want for Christmas’?
Barry’s forehead furrows. ‘Shoot. What about the Billy Bounce? You must know that one.’
What is going on! ‘What! No, are you making that up?’
He ignores me and gathers the group into a huddle. ‘Guys, we have a situation. Aubrey doesn’t know how to booty pop and hasn’t heard of the Billy Bounce.’
There are audible gasps from the Unlucky in Love Travel Club, and for a second I wonder if this is some elaborate prank, because what else could it be?
Princess covers her face, while Jasper comforts her. CJ takes charge. ‘Aubrey, have you lived in a bubble? OK, no time for recriminations, what’s done is done. This is a booty pop.’ She demonstrates a move that might look simple but clearly isn’t, a sort of wide leg lowered stance where she pops her butt forward. ‘And the Billy Bounce.’ Again, she demonstrates some ridiculous tiptoed bounce move, flapping her legs from side to side. ‘Or when it’s your turn, just freestyle.’
‘What do you mean, when it’s my turn?’
She grimaces. ‘It’s a dance battle, Aubrey. That means we all take the lead at some point and dance on our own.’
‘ON OUR OWN! I’m going to kill every last one of you.’
‘That’s the spirit!’ Princess says. ‘Edgy, gritty. Use it for inspiration!’
The music starts and I’m barrelled into line next to Jasper. I’m green around the gills, I didn’t know that you could actuallyfeelgreen, but I can now confirm it’s possible. I steal a quick glance at my club mates, wearing rapt expressions like this is the most fun they’ve had in ages. I pull my shoulders back and lift my chin. I do happen to know a couple of dance moves that might just blow their socks off. And even if internally I feel like curling up and dying from embarrassment, outwardly I don’t have to show that.
A member of the other group goes first, pulling out moves I’ve never seen before but which are announced by the entertainment director as ‘the Floss’ and ‘Orange Justice’. Whatever it is, it looks pretty tame to me. When it’s our turn, Jasper goes first and does some rather risqué Magic Mike moves. He throws himself on the floor and does the… Oh. My. God.
His hips don’t lie.
I freeze. And I bet every warm-blooded person in the vicinity does the same. I pull out my collar. Why is it so hot in here? Jasper is doing some sort of caterpillar move but SEXY, like he’s an exotic dancer and…
When my soul returns to my body, the noise level hits me. Everyone is screaming, whooping and pointing to the man mountain. I half expect him to rip his shirt open and am relieved when he doesn’t. I’m having trouble standing. Must be the adrenaline. The abject fear.
The other team have their turn but the crowd is calling for more from our team. Makes sense, I guess. Maybe it’s because we’re trying harder? The song nears the end and just as I think I might get away with not having to take the lead, I’m thrust forward.
I make the mistake of looking at the crowd and let out a little mewl.
‘You can do it!’ Jasper encourages me. I remind myself I’m a fun-loving person with zero baggage and that I also never have to see these people again once the trip is over.
I break out my dance moves. First up, the robot. When that doesn’t get the requisite cheers it deserves, I go for the sprinkler. Tough crowd. There are even a few boos. What the hell? These are classic dance techniques that never go out of fashion!
‘Bring back the hot guy!’
Jeez, no guesses who they’re referring to.
Jasper sidles up close and starts Magic Mike-ing all over me. In the interest of winning the dance battle, I of course allow these provocative, sexy moves to be performed. His body thrusts against mine, and… and my heart is RACING. Probably from the exertion. The heat.
When the music comes to an end, there are thunderous roars, but they all fade away as Jasper leans close, cupping my face. He’s a breath away and in the interest of a good show, I pull him in for a long kiss. Fireworks go off inside my brain as the kiss deepens. I’m bereft when it ends and Jasper steps away, confusion in his eyes.
‘Sorry,’ I say quietly. ‘I shouldn’t have done that.’
‘Yes, it’s too soon. I get it.’
‘Far too soon. I got caught up in the dance.’
‘Same. It was performative more than anything.’
‘Yes! Have to win that coveted prize of bragging rights.’
‘Yes. Or else Princess will be disappointed.’
