I Hope You Dance

Chapter 6

I stared at the ceiling as Aaron got dressed. "Now, about that phone. I'll be keeping it when we're together, no point in you having one when I'm with you. I'll be routinely checking it for new numbers, the only ones allowed in it are the ones I've already put in." I didn't even acknowledge him, just stared at the ceiling as my dress was still bunched around my waist. "Oh baby, we'll get back to how we used to be. I promise. With Bradley out of the picture, we'll be in love just like we used to be. Who knows, I may finally give you that wedding you wanted, you still have the dress." He said as he brushed some hair out of my face, kissing my lips, which I didn't even react to. I couldn't. "I'll be back in a few minutes, I have to call work about something." He said before walking out of the bedroom door, closing it behind him. 

I gasped, like him leaving the room finally allowed me to breathe. The sobs hit immediately, and I covered my face as I cried, I rolled onto my stomach. I lost my shot at getting out, and now Bradley was in the middle more than ever. We'll get back to how we used to be. "No." I muttered into the sheets. "No. No. No!" I yelled as I sobbed into the sheets. I could never love Aaron how I used to, and after being with Bradley, I never truly loved Aaron, not like I do Rooster. "I can't do this." It was spoken out loud for myself. I truly couldn't, but I had to unless I wanted to get Rooster killed. 

~~~

"Hey, Penny. Can I get a beer?" I asked as she came over and handed me a beer with a smile. "And whose this?" She asked, nodding to Aaron behind me. "This is Aaron." I had to take a breath before answering. "My husband." Her face fell as she looked into my eyes, but she recovered quicky. "Penny Benjamin." She held her hand out and she gripped his hand in an iron grip as they shook. "Pleasure." Penny glared at him. "Sure." She muttered before turning and tending to her other patrons. 

"Where are your friends?" I looked around and spotted them. "Pool table, but I don't feel like going over there." He scoffed and grabbed my arm, ripping me from my seat, tucking my arm in his. We walked over and I slapped a smile on my face. "Hey, y'all!" I announced and everyone cheered, Halo pulling me into a tight hug. "Aaron, this is Halo, and Omaha. Yale and Harvard." I said gesturing to everyone. "And this is Bob, he's been my back seater through all this." I said and he shook Aaron's hand, receiving a glare. "Y'all, this is my husband Aaron." Everyone was shocked seeing as I never mentioned my love life, let alone a husband. "You're married?!" Harvard yelled and I nodded. "Been together since Junior year." The questions flooded through, Aaron making it out like we were utterly in love. I held back tears all night, but plastered a smile on my face and no one was none the wiser. That's the thing about spending years hiding your true feelings, no one ever notices.

~~~

"And in first place..." Admiral Heatherly paused. Bob looked to me with a smirk, my face remaining neutral. "Lieutenant Wilder and Lieutenant Floyd!" A small smile grew on my face as Bob jumped up, cheering. Suddenly I was yanked out of my seat by him, and he pulled me into a bone crushing hug. "Thank you." I hugged him back, tightly. "You're so welcome, Bobby." We were handed the trophy and we held it up as everyone around us cheered. "I'm bummed we didn't win, but I'm not mad we lost to you two." Harvard said as him and Yale pulled us into a hug. 

I looked past them and saw a familiar blonde head, I excused myself and walked over. "Hangman?" He smirked at me. "My, my, Magnolia. Truly are as beautiful as they say." I chuckled. After I initially rejected Jake he was mad and hostile, but we've bumped into each other a few times over the years and while he is incredibly frustrating, his flirting is harmless. "Well thank you, why are you here?" He chuckled. "A buddy of mine is graduating, came by to see him." I nodded, now noticing he was in his dress whites. "I will say though, I am a little surprised you came out in first place." I chuckled at his words. "Why cause I'm a girl?" He laughs. "Okay, a little." I gasped slightly on mock surprise. Suddenly a hand clasped on my shoulder and my eyes went wide, freezing. "Hey baby, whose this?" Aaron asked, I stayed stock still and thankfully Hangman stepped in.