This Year is My Year

The Third Element: Dancing

"Do you think she likes this place?" Eddie was nervous, glancing to the dance floor trying to find Robin. I turned to him, smiling. I took his hand and squeezed it.

"Did you see her face when she walked in? She loves it," I reassured him, and he turned to me, smiling. I licked my thumb and wiped a speck of blood of his cheek, and he put his hand over mine, keeping it on his face.

"I feel bad for ruining the honky-tonk bar for her." My face flushed at the memory of Eddie's fight – I was flustered by how attracted I was to him during it, especially since it was not at the expense of one of my friends.

"You didn't do that – those assholes did. This is a much better bar," I assured him, and he grinned, pulling me in for a kiss. He turned towards the bartender and began ordering.

The bartender was a striking woman with a blonde pixie cut and dark lipstick. I admired the many piercings on her face and smiled when she and Eddie turned to me, grinning. She laughed at him and started pouring our drinks. I was surprised when I felt a twinge of jealousy in my chest and looked towards the crowd to distract myself.

I was brought back by a kiss on my cheek from Eddie as he handed me my drink and a shot. He winked as he threw his shot back and I followed suit. I attempted to play it cool as I leaned close to him.

"What were you and the bartender talking about?" I tried to keep my voice level, embarrassed by my sudden envy. He leaned back and smiled, snaking his arm behind my back as he brought his lips to my ear. My hair stood on end.

"She was telling me how pretty she thought you were – I was agreeing with her and telling her how I didn't understand why you kept me around." I blushed, feeling foolish at my drunken envy. He kissed his spot on my neck and I smiled at him. He handed me the others' drinks and we started our way to the dancefloor.

He kept his hand on the small of my back the entire time, and I was radiating heat from his touch. I was drunk, aware of how much I might love him and definitely wanted him. We reached a joyful Robin and a bewildered Steve and handed them their drinks. I looked to Steve, confused by his expression. Robin leaned close to us, shouting over the music.

"A lot of men have stopped Steve to offer to buy him a drink!" Steve shrugged, still dancing.

"Everyone's really friendly here! Especially the big, scary-looking dudes."

Eddie belly laughed and slapped his back.

"Told you that you would be popular, King Harrington!"

We all laughed, Steve still confused, wanting us to explain the friendliness he was experiencing. We all refused to explain, and Eddie pulled me close to him, wanting to dance. I turned, throwing my arms around his neck. We beamed at one another as we began to sway to "What You Need" by INXS.

Eddie spun me out of my arms and started dancing like a middle-aged dad. Robin and I laughed in delight as he started pointing finger guns at me, inviting me back to his embrace. I could tell he was drunk when he pulled me close to whisper that he "might love me" in my ear again. I smiled, my face warming from his closeness and the alcohol. I pulled him closer, and he turned his face to mine to kiss me deeply. Butterflies bloomed in my chest.

I loved dating Eddie Munson.

We kept dancing close, and he kissed his favorite spot on my neck. "Addicted to Love" came on, met with cheers from the crowd. I was full of booze, might-love-you's, joy – I was devoid of any inhibitions. I pulled back from Eddie and looked up at him, and he was surprised. I smiled slyly.

"Can you come help me with my shoes?"

~~~

My ears were ringing, and I felt like I had immediately sobered up. Y/N was still looking up at me, eyebrows raised, grinning wickedly. My mouth went dry – I knew what she was actually asking, and I was shocked. I was nervous around her again, just like the first time I met her. I smiled and nodded, taking her hand.