It's Been A Long, Long Time // Steve Rogers

Chapter 9

Steve's POV

I wanted to scream as I watched him spin her around and pull her close. It made my blood unintentionally boil. I just wanted to yell 'STOP' or anything that would make this torture end. Maddy smiled up at me, "Care to dance?"

"Sure, but I apologize in advance if I step on your toes." She smiled and took my hand in hers. "So my right hand goes here." She placed her hand in my left. "While your right hand goes here." She guided my right hand to her waist. "And I rest my left arm around your shoulders." She draped her arm on my shoulder. "Now we move to the music. You take a step back, I take a step forward. There really isn't a guide. Just do what feels right." She smiled up at me and I took a step back, her body following mine. Do what feels right. This doesn't feel right.

"Now we can step to the side." I kept my eyes on my feet as I stepped to the side. "Now I step back, you step forwards..." We continued for a moment and I started to figure it out. "There! You're a natural." She beamed up at me and I gave her a nervous smile. We danced along to the song until it came to an end. I stopped and looked up to see Becca being twirled around by her date, a smile on her face and a melodic laugh leaving her lips as he dipped her.

She looks so beautiful. Effortlessly beautiful. I'd never be able to dance with her like that. She was better off without me and my two left feet. "I'm gonna go get us a drink." I said, looking at Maddy. "Of course. A martini please." I nodded and made my way towards the bar. Another song started playing and I looked over my shoulder to see them still dancing. She was an amazing dancer. Bucky taught her.

"What can I get for you?" I turned my attention to the bartender. "A beer and a martini please." He nodded and quickly prepared the drinks and pushed them towards me. I offered him some cash and walked away. "Gosh where did she learn to dance like that??" Maddy asked, looking at Becca and her date. They were both good.

"Her brother." I smiled slightly and thought one of the many moments Bucky would enthusiastically teach her new dance moves.

Flashback

"Why are you teaching me how to dance? I know how to dance, Bucky." Becca asked, looking up at her older brother. "Because when you meet a nice young man one day, he'll want to take you dancing." Bucky pulled her up from the couch and stood with her in the living room of their parents house. He had even gone as far as moving all the furniture out of the way.

"Steve, come here!" I looked up at Bucky from my book as he waved me over. "I can't dance, Barnes." I mumbled. "I know. I'm gonna teach you both some new moves I learned." I groaned and sat my book down, walking over to them. "I don't need to know how to dance. No woman is going to dance with a man they can step on."

"A woman will be lucky to dance with you one day, Steve. They just don't know it yet." Rebecca smiled at me and then looked at Bucky. "Come on. Becca won't bite." He pushed me towards her and put her hand in mine. I was 6 years older than her and we were the same height. Her hand was even the same size as mine.

"Okay now what." I looked at him and he stood behind me, grabbing a hold of my shoulders, guiding me the way he wanted. "Step back, side, forward, side...and repeat." He said. I stared at my feet, praying that I didn't step on Rebecca's toes. Bucky started moving faster and I tripped over my feet, taking us both down. "Jesus, Steve. We have to get you shoes that fit so you'll stop tripping over your own feet." Bucky pulled me up and then helped Becca to her feet. "Well. I tried. I'll try again in a few years." He punched my shoulder and took Becca's hand in his own, spinning her around and dipping her.

"I'll never be able to do that, Bucky." I mumbled, going back to the couch and sitting down with my book. Bucky laughed, "come on, don't be like that. You'll pick it up." I mumbled "probably not," at him and he went back to teaching Becca some new dance moves that were becoming increasingly popular in the late 30's. She was laughing and smiling as he tossed her around doing different moves.

"Where did you learn all this Buck?" She asked. I snorted a laugh, "By going out with a new girl every night." I mumbled. It was true though. He was quite the ladies man. Bucky rolled his eyes and threw his arm around Becca's shoulder. "And one day this one will have a line of men out the door begging to dance with her." I'm sure that was true too. She already had boys walking her home from school and trying win her over. But Bucky, being the protective older brother, was always chasing them away. I can only imagine how beautiful she would come to be.

"Okay Bex. Let's go again. One, two, three, four..."

-

The song ended and Becca and Riley walked off the dance floor, approaching Lois and John who were sitting at a table with none other than Howard Stark. Shit. I quickly made myself busy by engaging in a conversation with Maddy and pulling her to another table. "Care to sit?" I asked. "Sure." I pulled out the chair for her and sat down next to her.

This is a date, Steve. Be a gentleman and get to know the girl. She's beautiful and kind...

"So, tell me about yourself?" I asked. Her eyes twinkled slightly and she smiled. "What do you want to know, Grant?" "Anything." I smiled at her and she launched into a story about herself. I learned quite a bit about her, even though I was distracted. As much as I tried, I couldn't keep my eyes off Rebecca. How her once perfect curls were slightly deflated after dancing. How her cheeks would flush a rosy color when she laughed. How her smile could quite literally light up a room.

A smile I wanted to see more of. Needed to see more of. I needed to be the one to make her smile. Not him.

Soon the club was closing up and I looked back at Maddy with a smile. "May I walk you home?" I asked her. "That would be lovely, Grant." So that's what I did. I walked her home and up to the door, making small talk along the way.

"You seemed distracted tonight." She said, her blue eyes gazing into mine. "I'm sorry-" "No. Don't be. I could tell you'd rather be with Becca tonight."

"Maddy, I-" "It's okay, Grant. I still had a lovely time." She stood on her toes and pressed a kiss to my cheek. "You like her?" I sighed and nodded. "She's a beautiful girl." "She is." I agreed. "You should tell her how you feel." My eyes met Maddy's once again and I gave a lopsided smile. "She's probably better off with that guy." I mumbled.

"Oh I don't know. I caught her looking at you a few times too." She nudged my shoulder playfully. "You'll never know if you don't try. But if you wait too long...she might be gone. A girl like that doesn't stay single for long. Goodnight Grant." She gave me one last smile. "Goodnight Maddy." She shut the door and I walked down the steps and in the direction of my apartment. She was right. I couldn't wait too long. The last time I waited to tell a woman how I felt about her...it didn't work out for me.

I wouldn't do it again. Becca needed to know how I felt about her. I needed her to know that I wanted her. Because being just friends...it wasn't an option.

A/N: Steve Rogers...the CEO of waiting too long lol