Page 33 of Infatuated
He leans forward and lowers his voice. “I’m not being judgmental, pumpkin. He seems like a boy with a good head on his shoulders. But I also see you and know you’re starting to develop feelings for him.”
“I’m not, but even if I was, why would it matter? It’s the twenty-first century. There’s the internet and different ways to stay in touch. Maybe I’ll come out here for school so we can be close.”
His jaw ticks. I know he won’t allow me to come to school this far from home, especially for a boy.
“Lana, donotthrow away your chances of a good school for a damn boy. Your education is more important than that.”
Mom picks the perfect time to come back with some food for the two of them. She looks between the two of us and sighs, knowing we’re butting heads again. See, I’m just like my dad—stubborn as hell. We’re always fighting.
“Henry, stop,” Mom chides. “She’s having fun. Tristan seems like a good boy. They aren’t hurting anyone. You two are dropping this. I don’t want to hear any more about it.” A smug smirk tugs at my lips. She looks at me. “Lana, be careful.”
“I am, Mom. Promise.”
I look over her shoulder and see Tristan walking closer with a smile aimed right at me. When Dad turns his head to look at him, his smile falters, but he continues walking to the table, albeit with less vigor.
“Hey, Mr. and Mrs. Robinson. Are you coming to the line dance lesson in thirty minutes?” He sits down next to me with his own plate of food and starts eating.
“Yes. Violet wants to learn. We’ll be there,” Dad replies gruffly.
He nods slowly, and the tension in the air crackles between them. I roll my eyes and scoff and take Tristan’s hand in mine. He looks at me from the corner of his eye and smirks at my bold gesture. The familiar tingles run through my hand, warming me from the inside out.
I refuse to let my dad try to run my life. The way he’s acting solidifies my thoughts in making Tristan my first. A whoosh of excitement runs through me.Is it bad that I’m happy because it pisses my dad off?Isn’t this why Molly slept with Holden, because she’s pissed at her parents?
My high of excitement diminishes just as quickly as it started. I don’t want to sleep with him just because it will piss my parents off. I don’t want to look back on this vacation and think about how much we fought.
“Dad,” I start. He looks at me and waits patiently for me to continue. “Save me a dance tonight?”
His face softens, and he gives me a small smile. “Sure, pumpkin. I’d like that a lot.”
For now, the tension between Dad and I fizzles, and we all finish eating. Tristan walks me back to the cabin, and I quickly change into a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. I figured it would be more comfortable to learn to dance. I step out of my room, and he pushes me against the wall, his lips on mine and his hands tangling in my hair.
I melt into him and fist his shirt in my hands, pulling him closer to me. He breaks the kiss, and I blink up at him, smiling.
“What’s that for, cowboy?” I flirt.
“Just thinking about earlier today. I can’t wait to do it again. Tomorrow morning, tell your parents you’re going for a run. I’ll meet you in front of the house. We’ll take the ATV out to the field.”
“Okay,” I answer on a breath.
I haven’t been able to stop thinking about Kasey since she came around today. I want to ask about her and what she wanted, but I also know it’s none of my business. I’m tense as we walk back to the main house, and he seems to notice my mind is racing with questions.
“What’s wrong, Lana?”
“Do you still have feelings for her?” The question tumbles out before I can stop it, and I’m surprised when he gives a quiet answer.
“She was my first love. I’ll always have feelings for her, but I don’t want to be with her.” He stops walking and holds my chin between his index finger and thumb. “Lana, I’m not the cheating type. If I was with her, we wouldn’t be messing around.”
His words should comfort me, but I’m still a bundle of nerves by the time we reach the house. Most of the guests are waiting for the lesson to start. We all look like a bunch of schmucks trying to look country. I’m in shorts and a t-shirt now, but Bethany made me bring cowboy boots, and I fully plan on pulling those out tonight.
Liz is standing under the outdoor covered stage. The picnic tables are pushed to the sides, so we all gather around when she calls for us through the microphone. Tristan squeezes my hand and jogs up to stand next to his mom and dad. I move through the crowd until I’m standing with my parents, and Dad pulls me against his side and kisses the top of my head.
“Welcome to our little line dancing lesson. Tonight, we have a local band coming to play for you all. It’s a lot of fun, but it’s not a real dance without some line dancing. So, I have my trusty instructors, John and Tristan, here to show you all some of the moves.”
I’ve seen Mr. Ellis a few times since we’ve arrived, but seeing Tristan standing next to him now, I can see where he gets his good looks from. He has the same strong jawline and shaggy brown hair, but while his dad has dark eyes, Tristan’s eyes are light like his mom’s. I blush when he seeks me out in the crowd and smiles.
The lesson is what you’d expect. Fifteen or so people tripping over their feet as we all try to nail down the steps. There are lots of laughs, and several couples break off and dance on their own, including my mom and dad. The song is too fast for the speed they are dancing, but they’re too wrapped up in one another to care.
Dad’s arm is around Mom’s waist, and she lays her head on his chest. My heart swells, seeing them like this. They’re affectionate at home, but I don’t see it often. Each of them is busy with work and different town events. Mom works at town hall, and there is always something going on that she drags Dad to.