Chapter Ten
Strings of white lights covered the ceiling of the large barn in Moulton’s center. It was here before the town and as a historical monument was well preserved and tended. Town events happened here. The doors were slid open in the back and front inviting the warm evening breeze. The trees outside were also decorated, the live music that was playing from the make shift stage was just inside the barn.
Colorful flowers were placed like a maze around the stage and through both entries. These led you to dance and to the drinks and snacks, but they were sure to trip a few. Girls were in their dresses and boots or heels while the guys were all in jeans, their plaid shirts as stiff as boards. Laughter mixed with the music from Herman Borris’s band and it all seemed very typical. The usual. Nothing new.
Jamie looked toward the drink table. “Do you think the punch has already been spiked? I smell cornmash in the air like incense. It’s a moonshine evening for sure.”
Probably. “You had better stick with water or sweet tea¸” I responded.
She nodded in agreement. I had hoped all day that Ben would call her and ask Jamie to the dance tonight. I kept scanning the crowd for a sign of him or his truck around the square. I was trying to let him adjust and make a plan, but right now I wanted to wring his neck for his immature behavior and neglecting my best friend. Jamie was dressed in a lovely white chiffon dress that stopped at her knees and was strapless. It came straight off the rack of a department store in Cullman. She paid over one hundred dollars for it and she looked gorgeous.
Ben shouldn’t be missing this.
I watched as she looked through the crowd. She was nervous and the way she kept fidgeting with her dress made me want to pop her hand. She didn’t need to be nervous. She needed to walk around like the beauty she was and own that. Be as natural as possible under the circumstances and enjoy an evening with me.
“Do you think he’ll come?” she asked. I reached down to take the hand that was picking the ruffled chiffon. I squeezed until she squeezed back.
“If he doesn’t then he’s missing out. You look amazing. Dance with everyone who asks and enjoy yourself.”
She nodded without looking convinced.
I saw Cole Marsh walking our way and his eyes were on me. Crap.
“Hello ladies,” he said, not acknowledging Jamie’s existence, except for making ladies plural. That infuriated me so I attacked.
“Cole,” I said in a voice that didn’t sound pleased or inviting. “You ass,” I quietly mumbled, Cole not hearing a thing.
“You look gorgeous as always,” he said. I turned my gaze away and winced.
“Thanks,” I muttered. “Imbecile.” I was disgusted with men in general.
“Herman’s got it rolling up there. Want to join me for a go on the dance floor?”
“No thanks.” I then cut my eyes back at him. I actually felt them flash. If he asked Jamie now I’d be pissed. That was an obvious diss. Like the dumbass he obviously was, he finally looked at Jamie. “What about you? Want to dance?”
She glanced at me and knew me well enough that the frown on my face meant that saying “yes” was a bad idea.
“No thanks. We just got here and I’d like to go get a drink first.”
The smart thing for Cole to do at that moment was to offer to go get her a drink. Then maybe she would dance with him. But instead he sighed and shook his head. “Alright, shoot a man down why don’t ya.” Then he walked off like a child.
“He’s a jerk,” I said. “An asshole.”
“I agree,” she replied.
“Let’s go get you something to drink. Wait for a better option.”
She nodded and we headed for the drink table. I decided I wanted some punch, because if I was going to get through tonight without slugging someone’s face, I would require some home brew to do it. To settle me down a bit. Momma would have a fit if she found out, but one drink wouldn’t hurt. Besides, the punch isn’t supposed to be spiked. It just always is, so I drink it.
“He’s here,” Jamie whispered, almost panicked, her hand gripping my arm. I followed her gaze and found Ben walking, dressed in jeans and a new plaid shirt, like the rest of the guys in the barn. Why the hell do they wear the same thing? He glanced at me a moment before his eyes went to Jamie. I knew she looked beautiful, though she didn’t realize it, which is both good and bad together.
I could see the appreciation in his eyes. I figured he might dance with her. That and the fact she was having his baby. Sweet mother! I needed a drink!
“What do I do?” she asked nervously.
“You go get a drink like you planned.” I told her bluntly and led her to the drinks. “Don’t look at him. Make him come to you.”
I wasn’t sure of the origin of my matchmaking tips but they were there like I knew what I was doing. We made it to the drink table before Ben got to us and then he closed rather quickly.