The Dream - Whitney Dineen Page 0,46

Davis what the deal is, but before I can make a sound, the back door opens, and someone joins us. Not just someone.

Chad Adkinson.

Chapter Twenty-Five

July 4, 2008

Dear Molly,

One of the things that I actually like about living in Creek Water is the fireworks display they have in the park for the Fourth of July. Practically the whole town shows up to lie on blankets on the grass and watch the show. Mom, Sammy, Buck, and I packed a picnic and had a feast while we waited.

Before it started, I hurried off to the bathroom, so I didn’t have to face the crowd afterward. I was just coming out of the porta potty when I ran smack into Chad Adkinson. My initial instinct was to run for my life, but I was so terrified my feet wouldn’t move. Chad looked down at me with an expression I’ve never seen on his face before. It wasn’t anger, exactly. It was more like confusion.

Thank goodness Buck showed up. Otherwise, I have no idea what might have happened.

Chad is the first to speak when he sees us. He walks up to Davis and playfully punches the air in front of him. “Dude, what’s up?”

Davis gently removes his hand from mine before standing. “Hey, man, how’ve you been? I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“You didn’t expect to see me? This is the last place I thought you’d be. Remember those dancing lessons our mamas made us take? I think you said something about wrestling sharks before coming back here for another dance.”

Davis jokes, “I turned pro and pinned ninety-four great whites. I think that was enough to insure I got my man-card back.”

While I know Davis and Chad used to be good friends, they sound more like acquaintances now, which is good. I mean, I’d like to think that Davis’s taste in people has improved since high school. Lord knows, I wouldn’t want to start something up with him if they were still tight. That would be a deal breaker in my book.

Chad looks down at me and croons, “Well, you sure have got yourself a pretty gal on your arm.”

My heart nearly stops. Chad Adkinson is the last person on the planet I want appreciating my charms. I need to get out of here before Davis introduces me. It’s one thing for him not to remember me, but I can’t be sure that Chad won’t, especially if he hears my name.

I jump to my feet and blurt out, “I have to go.” I turn to Davis and add, “I’ll see you inside.” With no more explanation than that, I run down the porch stairs to a path that will take me to the front of the building. I don’t wait to see if either of the men respond, I just quicken my pace across the cobblestones. The sound of my clicking heels is drowned out by the loud hammering of my heart.

I arrive at our table in time to overhear Buck tell Jessica, “You dance like you’ve taken lessons your whole life.”

She twitters girlishly, “I’m nowhere near as good as you are.”

Mrs. Holt jabs her husband in the ribs and hisses, “That’s your last drink.”

“You’re not my boss,” he snaps childishly.

The couple that rounds out our table turns out to be Davis’s sister Amelia and her boyfriend—someone who looks a lot like rock star Huck Wiley. I’m not sure if it really is him or not. I haven’t heard any rumors about him being in town. Of course, that’s not saying much as I’m not generally on the receiving end of much local gossip. What’s with these Frothingham women and their famous-looking men?

I decide I might be having a fear-induced hallucination. But just in case it really is Huck Wiley, I try not to act starstruck.

I take my place and try to get Buck’s attention to tell him that we have to go, but he stands up and heads back to the dance floor with Jessica.

Davis’s sister, who I know from the nursing home, leans into me and admits, “I hate coming to these things.”

“You do? Why?” Once again, this family is not living up to my preconceived image of them.

“Crowds make me nervous,” she answers. “I’d rather be at home watching television.” Then she adds, “Mama says you’re a big fan of eighties romcoms.”

“Thanks to my Mom,” I tell her.

“We should do a gals’ movie night. Not at my place though. I don’t have enough room.”

“Your mom suggested we have one at