were waiting by the front entrance when we got there; I knew that Ryder wouldn’t trust one of the underclassmen with his car so his dad moved it to the parking lot once we were all three out and ready to enter the school. Our moms snapped pictures and clapped when the principal announced us while we walked down the blue carpeted sidewalk.
The very second Tori laid eyes on Ryder she eyed him up and down while making her way over to where we were standing. I couldn’t understand what Ryder mumbled but he moved to stand behind me and gently placed his hands on my hips. Tori looked at where his hands were resting, she rolled her eyes and briskly walked past us. Star couldn’t wait any longer to dance so she pulled Ryder from where he was standing and to the dance area. Ryder hated to dance, unless it was a slow dance. Star had him dancing to Wiggle by Jason Deluro . The smile on Star’s face was absolutely priceless the entire time. Since Star’s curfew was ten thirty she wouldn’t stay off the dance floor.
“You have to dance with Ryder one time…for me.” She plopped down in a chair beside me.
“I’m good.” I smiled at her.
“Harleeyy,” she whined, “You look so pretty though just one dance… please?” she pressed her hands together under her chin.
A slow country song started playing, out of the corner of my eye I could tell somebody was standing next to where I was sitting. I turned and looked, it was Ryder. He grinned and held his hand out to me. Star squealed and clapped her hands then pushed my shoulder almost pushing me off the chair. The song was by Lee Brice – I Don’t Dance .
“You’ve been dancing all night.” I said and smiled up at Ryder.
“Been waiting all damn night for you to actually dance with me though.” He didn’t smile he simply stared into my eyes.
He had his hand held out waiting for me to take it. We walked to the dance area, Ryder pulled me tightly against his solid chest. I could feel the dampness of sweat through his dress shirt, his cologne scent mixed with the sweat made me shiver. Ryder always smelled amazing, but tonight, he oozed sex appeal that even I couldn’t ignore no matter how hard I tried. As we danced he would rub his thumbs back and forth against my lower back. I looked around at the other’s that were dancing but I could feel Ryder staring at me. When I looked up at him he pulled me tighter against him, I had to stretch to clasp my hands behind his neck. We swayed to the music and stared into each other’s eyes, something felt different in that moment. Ryder closed his eyes and bowed his head so that his forehead was resting against mine, he quietly sang along. “ I’d do anything with you anywhere. Yes you got me in the palm of your hand…” I closed my eyes tighter, whatever he was trying to tell me through the song had me hanging onto him for dear life.
The song slowed to an end but we didn’t let go of each other right away. Another fast song started to play before Ryder slowly slid his hands to my hips. “We uh—should probably get Star home.” His entire chest vibrated from the deepness of his baritone voice.
I nodded my head then stepped away from him, so we could find Star. When we did find her, she was not happy that it was time for her to go home. Ryder told her she would be grounded if she was late and she practically sprinted out of the gymnasium.
On the ride to her house she talked about how much fun it was and tried to sing some of her favorite songs that she had danced to. Ryder smiled and sang along with her until we pulled in to her driveway. He quickly got out of the car and jogged around the front to the passenger door and opened the door for Star. Once she was out he flipped the lever and folded the seat forward then held his hand out for me.
“We need a self-picture with all three of us!” Star smiled big and pulled her phone out of her
Barbara Boswell, Lisa Jackson, Linda Turner