Fight Me(76)

Husband and wife. Tonight is the first night that the thought of it doesn’t scare the living shit out of me. I see the way that Avery and Maddox look at each other, and I realize that I want that too. I want that with Erin. Only Erin. She is my sunlight on a dark day. She is my heaven on earth. She is my everything. Forever.

I look over at my brothers sitting at the table with my parents and notice Travis looking off in the opposite direction of the dance floor for like the twelfth time. When I follow his gaze, I see that same pretty server that he’s been staring at half the night. She has long brown hair pulled back in a neat ponytail, a white fitted long-sleeved shirt, and black dress pants just like the rest of the servers. I’m guessing she’s somewhere between Avery and Travis’ age but has a very tired, worn out look to her. Even when she smiles, you can tell she’s exhausted. Appearance wise, she looks exactly like all the other servers walking around tonight. But for some reason, my brother hasn’t taken his eyes off of her. I watch as Travis continues to observe the pretty girl while she works. I can’t help my cocky little smile as he practically falls out of his chair when she approaches their table to collect glasses and empty beer cans.

Nate gets up and comes over to our table to sit in the seat Maddox just vacated a few moments ago when he was summoned to the dance floor to dance with his new wife. “What’s up, dickweed?” he asks.

“Nice. You kiss your mother with that mouth?” I reply with a smile.

“Every time I see her. So, what’s this I hear about Travis taking your spot in the softball league?”

“Yeah, well he has the free time on the weekends and I don’t. With working every other weekend, he was practically on that team anyway when he filled in for me. I’ll still go and watch, maybe fill in when I can, but it was time to step back.”

“I hear ya.”

“Speaking of Travis, what the hell is up with him and that server?”

“No clue. He thinks he’s being all sly and shit about watching her, but it’s obvious that he’s into her. He hasn’t taken his eyes off her all night.”

“That’s what I was thinking. Good for him. Maybe he’ll actually do something other than work all the damn time.”

“You have no room to talk, brother,” Nate says as he takes a pull from his beer bottle. “You work and play all the damn time, too.”

“Yeah, I did.” I look down at Erin who is wrapped securely in my arm. “But, I’m done playing. Time to grow up, you know?”

“No. I don’t know,” Nate says with a shake of his head and a laugh. “I’ll keep on playing if you don’t mind.”

“Suit yourself, man.”

A new slow song starts and the DJ encourages everyone to come join the new Mister and Misses on the dance floor. I grab a hold of Erin’s hand and gently tug her upward onto her feet. “Come on, darlin’. Let’s go dance.”

“Is that a question or a demand?” she asks with a smile as she follows me out onto the dance floor.

“It’s a demand. I’m not giving you a chance to get away from me or tell me no,” I say with a smug smile.

“Well, then you have nothing to worry about. I’m not going anywhere, cowboy,” she says as she reach up – way up – and wraps her arms around my neck.

I pull her tightly against my body and just revel in the feel of her against me. I can tell instantly the moment she feels the effect she has on me – on my lower body. The desire filling her eyes makes me pull her even closer which really isn’t the best way to try to alleviate a raging hard-on. Especially since I’m in the middle of the dance floor surrounded by family and friends.

“So, I was thinking about later tonight,” I begin.

“What about it?” she asks with her head resting on my chest.

“After the party is over and we leave. Where would you like to go?”

Erin looks up at me as she answers with a knowing smile, “Well, as long as there’s a bed and you are in it with me, I don’t really care much.”

“See, that’s kind of what I was thinking about. I thought maybe we could go back to your place tonight, and then maybe pick a place that we both go back to - every night. Together.”

The surprise is evident on her face, but it doesn’t take long for her smile to spread and light up her entire face. I know the question was a good surprise. “Are you asking me to move in with you?”

“Sure am. You can move into my place if you want, but honestly, it’s pretty small. Your place is big and would give us plenty of room, but I don’t want to just invite myself to move in with you. We could also find a new place, the perfect size for both of us.”