Page 54 of Crash
“Okay, okay. I get it, you slay, Rone. Now let’s move on to the next song in the set.” I pause the music and queue up the next track, waiting on the selected group to get into position. As the music forNaughty Girlplays and we begin with slow, sexy winds, the sound of the door closing from the other end of the studio catches my attention.
Austin walks in carrying a bouquet and some sour gummy worms. This makes me smile inside, but I can’t disrupt the routine. I have a strict policy on interruptions. He stands and watches with intensity in his eyes, spurring on my movement even more. The way he licks his lips in response to each gyrate, pop, and drop, let’s me know we are doing a fabulous job.
Rone sees the interaction between us and slides a chair to the center floor, encouraging him to take a seat and relieves him of the gifts he bears.
Austin slides into the seat with a wide grin on his lips.
When the second verse begins, I’m front and center, standing in front of him mouthing the words as I simulate a very intimate lap dance with no touching ending with a backbend over into the splits before I reposition into a knee crawl swinging my hair around as do the others.
We continue the dance routine till the end of the song. The team erupts into applause and cheers when the music stops.
“I’m pretty sure that is the most uncomfortable I’ve ever seen my brother,” Courtney laughs.
“Chile, I don’t think he was uncomfortable, I think he was very much aroused,” Rone adds.
Austin’s flesh turns bright pink and his dimples are enhanced when he smiles and laughs.
“He looks like he’s gonna knock the naughty girl out of Tessa tonight,” Janelle weighs in.
“Okay guys, that’s enough. Go shower and get outta here. Make sure you bring this same energy with you tomorrow. We will start the full set from beginning to end, allowing just enough time in between for costume changes if they were to occur. Heels, ladies, heels. Now, get.”
They mumble and grumble but stop to give hugs and shake Austin’s hand, showing it was all in fun and love. That’s how we operate.
Courtney hugs her brother then heads to the dressing area.
“I’m sorry if I put you on the spot,” I say, as I walk up to Austin taking his hand into mine.
“Trust me, I enjoyed it. Feel free to use me as a prop anytime,” he laughs.
“Don’t tempt me,” I reply. “What brings you by? I thought we were going to meet somewhere for dinner.”
“Well, I always have to do things to surprise you. So, these flowers are for you and here’s your favorite candy.”
He hands me the items and I smile. “Thank you. The flowers are beautiful. Now, I know you like surprises, but I need to change before we go.”
“We’re not going anywhere.” He nods his head towards the back entry where a table draped with a white linen cloth, a candelabra, and a place setting for two is wheeled out by a young male in all black and a white apron. Following him is a young lady with a trolley of what I can only assume is our dinner, and a wine chiller filled with sparkling water.
“When did you have the time to plan all of this?” I ask.
“You know Court helped me. I just told her the details.”
“Ohhh. So that explains why she kept looking at the clock.”
“Yeah, she gets nervous when things are supposed to happen at specific times and she’s responsible for them. Looks like this one was on target. Even with that little dance I got. That reminds me, you owe me your first dance.” He takes the music remote from my hand and presses play.
I turn a hard ear to the tune and immediately recognize the sweet soulful sounds of Donny Hathaway’sI Love You More than You’ll Ever Know,recalling how I told him about my parents love for this song and how I’d watch them dance in the middle of the kitchen when mom was cooking dinner.
“Austin, this is so sweet,” I swoon, as he takes me into his arms, carefully placing the injured hand around my waist and we slow sway to the melody.
“I’ve been waiting on this moment for weeks. I don’t want us to go back to the way we were before the accident, but I do want us to have a committed relationship. One with no second guessing, open communication, and upfront honesty.”
"What do you mean?" I inquire.
"If I do something you don't like or makes you uncomfortable, I want you to tell me. Don't bottle it up."
I sense the sincerity in his eyes as he looks deep into mine. He's right, those are the true things that help keep and hold a relationship together.
"Okay, I can agree to those terms. What do you want from me?"
"I want to be your stand in prop each time you need to try out those dance moves."
I burst out with loud laughter, and he joins in.
"Why are you laughing? I'm serious."
"Fine. You can be part of my practice team. Wanna seal this with the traditional handshake?"
"No. I want something more permanent." Placing his hands onto either side of my face, he places a soft, wet kiss on my lips. When he returns for another, I open my mouth slightly, inviting him in for a deeper connection as the song restarts and we continue to dance into the evening.
THE END