Ain't Shady Baby, I'm Hot

35

"Okay, so we just need to get to Sarah, right?" I asked as I pulled him through the crowd. Saying excuse me when I nearly ran into people.

"Yup, super simple." I looked back at him and grinned. I'm glad he was confident.

"You've got a customer." I winked at him as a guest came up and asked for a drink. Leaving him behind as I strolled up to the two Cameron girls who were dancing together.

"Hey Sarah, hi Wheezie, you mind if I join y'all?"

"Not at all, have you been enjoying yourself, Xena?" Sarah asked as I stole Wheezie's hands and gave her a twirl.

"Absolutely." I sent her a wink as I distracted Wheezie letting JJ do whatever he needed to do. I couldn't help but laugh as JJ danced horribly. His movements too spazzy as he handed Sarah a note.

Wheezie and I moved back and forth as I twirled the shorter girl. Her beautiful floral dress twirling with her as she laughed. She swung our arms trying to get us both to spin as I crouched down and twirled with her.

When I finally looked up, I saw Sarah had taken off and JJ about to take off. But of course, a quiet exit would have been too much to ask for. My eyes narrowed as I saw a familiar pastel blue suit walking with a ridiculous pink.

"Hey, Wheezie, does your brother like to dance?"

"Rafe? I mean, he typically doesn't. He's more here for the alcohol. But he told me mom made him take lessons before she..." I nodded understanding. I gave Wheezie a kind smile before squeezing her shoulder.

"Well, I guess we're gonna put those lessons to the test." I took a deep breath making my way over to help JJ. My decision made as I left Wheezie.

"Wait, oh my gosh." Wheezie let out a squeal before she took off. My head shaking as I could only imagine what was happening in her brain. However I hoped it worked out in my favor.

"Hey, I'm wonderin' if you could get me a mai tai, my friend."

"Make it a double."

"I'm afraid he'll have to see both your license for that. Would look really bad if he gave drinks to minors. Don't you think?" I asked putting my hands on JJ's shoulders and discreetly pulled him behind me. My eyes drifting to Rafe's where he held a glare annoyed I'd manage to cut in again. "On a side note, your dad said you were looking for me. Something about asking me to dance?" I lied through my teeth, but a glance behind me had Rafe clenching his jaw.

"He did, did he?"

"Yup and you know, I'd hate to make you look bad." I grinned using his words against him. Watching as he jutted his jaw out slightly and run his ringed fingers through his hair.

"What are you doing?" JJ whispered in my ear. A hand on my back as he tensed behind me, ready for a fight.

"Saving your ass." I murmured as I looked behind us to see Ward, Rose, Gray, and my mother all staring in our direction. A giddy Wheezie next to them.

"Well, then," I turned back around, Rafe's hand extended as he pulled on a mask falling on his face. "Shall we."

I didn't say a word as the music changed to more of a heartfelt song. My eyes catching JJ's as I flicked my head for him to go.

The blond seemed conflicted as I gave him one final look before Rafe pulled me around to face him. I hid my smirk as JJ got out of there. Kelce conflicted as his leader was preoccupied.

"What an interesting predicament." I rolled my eyes and let him set his hand on my waist as I took his hand and rested my other on his shoulder.

"Piss off, Rafe." I grumbled as he yanked me closer to him, as the music played. JJ better be gone after this.

"For the sake of our parents, I can't. I'm certain you understand." I rolled my eyes as he shot my own words right back at me. "Besides, if you didn't want to dance, why'd you come find me?"

"Trust me. If I wanted to dance I'd find a more suitable partner." I challenged trying to bruise his ego so he wouldn't think about leaving. His nostrils flared slightly as his jaw clenched. "One dance, Cameron." The blond fake pouted looking down at me.

"You going to find someone more suitable?" I rolled my eyes, taking a deep breath.

"Let's not talk. Then perhaps we can get this finished as soon as possible." Rafe said nothing but agreed. The silence between us led to not only me being able to listen to the words but also an overwhelming feeling of familiarity.

However, when we started dancing I couldn't help but wish I had a better idea of distracting him. But I'm pretty sure starting a fight with the older brother of my tutee and the eldest son of Gray's employer... would be frowned upon.

And I'd be mad if I got blood on this dress. But I would if it was necessary.

We continued in silence, the song winding and falling as we moved. I had never seen Rafe Cameron dance, and yet, that familiar way he held me bit into my brain. The way we turned and moved fluidly as if we had danced before.

I'd thought our movements would be rough, vicious almost due to our past nature. But they weren't. It was as if we had choregraphed the dance. We were perfect. He guided us through the dance and I seemed to know exactly how to react to him.

My eyes narrowing as I tried to dive further into that feeling. Learn more about why I felt like I knew this from somewhere.

I saw a flash of worry dance through his eyes as he took me through a series of spins that I had only ever done once before. My heart leaping as my gut clenches. This feeling--it had only happened once before.

But it couldn't be. Could it?

"Excuse me, DJ?" I called as Rafe dipped me at the end of the song, my eyes on the booth, "would you mind playing Middle of the Night?" The DJ gave a nod while I bid him a thanks.

"For you two, I'd play whatever!" He shouted as he found the song and set it to play.