When the song ended the DJ said, “We’re gonna slow it down ever more folks. Grab your best guy or gal and get ready for some more smooth sounds!”
A popular song came on that Erin had heard but didn’t know. It sounded sad and tortured, but it was definitely the kind of song that provided a good excuse to hold that special someone a little closer than normal. She and Adam walked over to the ‘kids’ and said, “Let’s switch it up, okay?” She looked at Shay and pointed to Adam while she extended her hand to Cameron. “Oh, come on. I’m not that old, am I?” she said to him as she pulled him out onto the floor just as Adam escorted Shay along beside them.
“I’m not really much of a dancer, Ms. Kimball,” Cameron said as she took his hand.
“That’s okay. We can just turn around in a circle like everyone else,” she assured him. After a few seconds she said, “You’re not that bad at all. Have you been practicing?”
“Yeah, a little. I wouldn’t dance with Adam if my life depended on it, but he showed me what to do and I kind of copied him.”
“Well, you’re doing great, Cameron. So how are things going? You know, with you and Shay?”
Cameron looked down and didn’t answer. “Cameron? Is everything okay?”
“I guess,” he said. “Well, not really. Maybe. I don’t know.”
“Wanna talk?” she said.
“It’s kind of embarrassing,” he told her.
“I’m a good listener and no judgment here, I promise. So what’s going on?”
“I uh…I was dancing with Shay, but I guess I was staring at someone else and she mentioned it to me.”
“So…were you staring at someone else?” she asked.
“I think you know the answer to that, Erin.”
“I beg your pardon?” she said indignantly. “How would I know that?”
“Because you were staring back.”
Flustered, Erin told him, “I was doing no such thing! Okay, I may have periodically glanced your way, but that’s only because I wanted to make sure Shay was having a good time. That’s all.”
He pulled her closer and in spite of her asking him what he thought he was doing, she didn’t stop him. He said, “You’re far more beautiful than Sarah Palin ever will be Erin, but if you lie to me I’ll begin to see you as Hillary and she’s neither physically nor politically attractive.”
The comparison stung. It was like telling a liberal they reminded someone of Dick Cheney. It was the ultimate slam. Even so, she wasn’t about to surrender her dignity without a fight.
“You can think whatever you like, Cameron, but I’m telling you the truth.” She hated lying but the truth was too painful to admit.
“Okay, then what’s your excuse for when we were at your home having dinner? You barely took your eyes off me the entire evening—Hillary.”
Erin made a noise indicating her strong disapproval. “Okay, that was totally uncalled for. That was just mean,” she said.
“No denial this time. That’s a great first step! As they say, the truth shall set you free.”
“I’m just concerned about Shay, Cameron. She did come here with you, you know.”
“No worries,” he told her.
“How can you be so cavalier about her feelings?” Erin asked with real concern.