Page 109 of The Dance

“What’s wrong with those colors?” she deadpanned.

Before I could respond, a man, who I assumed was Brandon, walked in. All attention was on him as he made his way to the front of the massive room, and it didn’t take long for the wedding party to enter and make their way up to where Brandon waited for his bride. One groomsman stared at Stacey as he passed, and when I glanced at her, she was looking toward the back of the room. Moments later, Spencer entered on her father’s arm.

“She’s so beautiful,” Stacey whispered.

“Yeah,” I breathed as I stared at Stacey. I wasn’t referring to the woman in the white dress.

* * *

The ceremony wasas lovely as it could be, and after dinner and speeches, the real fun began.

“Dance with me?” I held out my hand for Stacey to stand.

“I’d love to.”

We made it out onto the dance floor, and with each song that passed, we laughed and swayed. I hoped this was how life with Stacey would be once we were out of our traveling bubble. That was until we started dancing to “Blurred Lines” by Robin Thicke featuring T.I. In a flash, Stacey was ripped from my grasp and dragged away by who I’d learned from the toasts was Brandon’s brother, Blake. It startled me, my mouth agape as I watched them go into the hallway.

My gaze met Brandon’s, and before I could rush after Stacey, Brandon came to me and said, “I’m sorry.”

Brandon was sorry? Clearly, I was missing something.

Finally finding my footing, I followed Brandon into the hall. He banged on the women’s restroom door. “Blake, open the door!”

Spencer looked at me with a look of sadness on her face, and I didn’t understand why.

“Babe, just leave them alone,” she pleaded, grabbing his arm to pull him away. Brandon threw up his hands and stormed off.

Not knowing what else to do, I leaned on the wall and waited. Time passed, and finally, the two exited the restroom. Stacey’s dress was askew, and I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Had they fucked in the bathroom with me just on the other side of the door? Anger coursed through my body.

As soon as Blake walked away, I said to Stacey, “Seems I’m not the only one with secrets.”

35

Stacey

“Let go of me,”I demanded as Blake dragged me off the dance floor.

He didn’t respond as we quickly crossed the room. Without missing a beat, he pushed open the women’s restroom door, yanking me behind him and locking it.

“What are you fucking doing?” I seethed.

He backed me up with his body until I was flush with the wall. “What the fuck areyoudoing?”

“Iwasdancing with my boyfriend,” I stated.

“Your boyfriend?” He chuckled. “Since when do you date?”

“Why is it any of your business?”

Brandon pounded on the other side of the door and yelled for Blake to open it. We ignored him.

“Come on, Stace. You know this is what we do.”

“What? You’d thought I’d come to the wedding and fuck you?” I rolled my eyes.

He lifted a shoulder. “It crossed my mind.”

“Same old Blake.”