Moving Back Home

Chapter Five

The bar was full of people I hadn't seen since high school. Most of them were already drunk and slurring in their speech. Bailey didn't tell me that there was also karaoke. So, for the first half hour I had to endure the failed attempts of people singing their favorite songs. I was glad it was Ladies' night though, guys were buying me drinks left and right. Bailey was on stage singing Katy Perry while I was sipping on my fifth rum and coke. I tried my best to keep to myself as I noticed Dustin hanging over with Dean and a few girls from my past that really never liked me. I sigh, as I head over to an empty seat on the opposite side of the bar.

These girls had always gone after Dean, even back when we use to date. My eyes were stuck on him as it would take an idiot not to see their flirtatious and very sexual body language. He didn't even try to get rid of them either; he knew I was watching him and he knew it was pissing me off. It was difficult to distract myself from my irritation. Lucky for me, Bailey had a plan for me when I didn't.

"Come on! It's your turn!" She says as she drags me onto the stage, "I picked a song out for you. Now sing it for us girl!"

My body stiffens as I realize Dean and his posy are standing right in front of the stage; anxious for me to fail. The screen told me it was Carrie Underwood's song "Smoke Break" so I was a little relieved. I actually really loved this song. The song started to play and I closed my eyes. The words on the screen were just going to make me more nervous. I knew the words by heart, so I started to sing the best I could.

After the first chorus, I got really into it much to Dean's dismay. Everyone in the bar was cheering for me. I smiled as I belt out the final words of the song. When I leave the stage Bailey is jumping with excitement. Dustin is amused too as he tells me that I did a good job. He jokes that Bailey should have picked Carrie's song "Before He Cheats" instead. I couldn't help but laugh.

Dean is on stage next, as the start of Dierks Bentley's "What was I thinkin'" begins to play. His singing voice always blew people out of the water. He had everyone dancing around and cheering. I smile at the sight as I listen to him sing. Hopefully he wasn't looking at me, because he'd be able to tell I was lying earlier. Bailey drags me over to the dance floor and forces me to dance with her. I don't fight her this time. This night was about having a good time. And I was determined to have one!

I noticed some guys around my age watching us in the corner of the bar. There were about three of them, and one of them had their eyes glued to me. Bailey gives me a push of encouragement as I dance my way over to him. He had blonde hair like me, and his eyes were bright blue. He gives me a huge smile as he sets his beer on the table and allows me to drag him onto the dance floor. I chuckle as we begin to dance together. I realized that Bailey was a genius at that moment, because once his hands were on me I noticed how Dean's eyes went from victorious to jealous in a split second. I turn around to face the guy as I sway with him to the music.

"What's your name?" I ask him loudly.

He replies, "Its Tyler! And yours?"

"I'm Cassie! What brings a man like you to this nowhere town?"

This makes him laugh, "I work with the railroad company that's a few miles outside of town. My friends and I worked late tonight so we decided to come here!"

"Well, I'm happy to meet ya!" I say as we leave the dance floor and walk over to the bar.

Tyler buys me a drink and talks about his day. It takes me a lot of effort not to yawn because this dude's voice was like milk and cookies to me. I was bored with him, but I wanted to make Dean jealous. I smile as ask him if he wants to dance some more. Tyler agrees as we go back and hold me close to him. I notice how Dean has another girl all over him, and this time he's dancing too. He's giving me a look of satisfaction and I fake a smile. Damn, I think I am getting more jealous than he was. I need to come up with another plan. The girl Dean is dancing with is dangerously close to kissing him, but he's too focused on me for her to try. I smirk, as much as I knew that using Tyler was wrong; I pull his lips to mine. He's a bit startled at first, but he kisses back.