**Samantha**
"So, what's the plan for tonight?" Ren called up to the front from his seat beside me.
"We're going into the city tonight. There is a big country club just on the outskirts of town." Derek answered him as he switched lanes. We were all squished into Derek's truck. In attendance there was Derek and Ariel in the front. Then in the back from left to right was Willard, Rusty, then me and Ren. We had been driving for about two hours now; the sun had set and the city lights made everything even more gorgeous.
"Are you excited?" I asked glancing at Ren .
"What? A chance to go out and have fun without having to worry about getting a ticket for playing my music too loud? Hell yeah! Plus I have the chance to dance with you again. I'm over the moon." Ren cheered flashing me a blinding smile.
"Aw, ain't you sweet!" I cooed teasingly, leaning over and placing a loud loud kiss on his cheek jokingly.
From the right I heard Willard fake gag, "Yeah so sweet you're making me sick. Derek, could you pull over? I need to upchuck my breakfast." He started laughing.
Reaching over Rusty I punched Willard in the arm stopping him mid laugh and causing him to yelp and rub the abused appendage.
"Ha-ha, you are so funny, Will. I'll remember that the next time you need me to cover for you while you sneak out to Rusty's so you could play tonsil hockey."
"You're evil." Willard snapped.
"And you're ugly." I retorted.
"Okay, ladies, settle down. You're both pretty." Ren said pulling me back from possibly punching my cousin again and into his chest so I was leaning against him.
"Well it's true, he is ugly." I voice childishly sticking my tonged out at Willard.
"Why you little-" Willard exclaimed reaching over as if he meant to hit me but was stopped by Rusty.
"Hey, you two shut up back there! So help me I will turn this truck back around!" Derek shouted all of a sudden making everyone of us laugh at his outburst.
"Derek, what the hell?"
"Had to get you two quiet somehow, didn't I? And I would really hate to turn around right now cause where here." Derek said pointing out the front windshield. And sure enough there in front of us was a huge building with a big yellow neon sign reading 'Cowboys' in loopy cursive letters with people rushing to get inside.
"Whoa." I'm pretty sure everyone was thinking the same as we took in the club.
"Well what are we waiting for? Find a parking spot already!" I cried slapping Derek in the arm excitedly.
"Sir, yes sir." Derek agreed while keeping his eyes peeled for an available spot.
After pulling into an open spot, the six of us piled out of the car. Waking over to Ren, I pulled his arm to settle over my shoulders. In response Ren pulled me closer so that I was leaning against him, tucked into his side, as we walked in to the club. He smiled down at me before holding the door open and letting me in first.
"After you." He said with a smile.
Returning it I walked in first, "What a gentlemen." I said as I passed him following the rest of the group. Walking beside Rusty and Ariel, I pulled ahead and weaved through the crowd as I lead everyone into the main room.
Inside the music was loud as the sound of boots thumping on the hardwood floor followed along with the beat. People were everywhere, beers were being bought and you could barley see through the sea of cowboy hats. It was a classic country club.
"Good night! This place is gigantic!" Rusty cried in awe and I had to agree with her.
"Yeah. It's bigger than Bomont." Ariel piped up from her other side.
"No kidding. I bet you could fit all of Bomont in here and still have room on the dance floor." I added while still glancing around the room.
"I'll take that bet." Ariel said, speaking directly to me for the first time tonight, looking over at me. Peering at her I regarded Ariel for a bit. I know we still had a long way to go until we could be friends again but for this moment I was willing to put it behind us. So with a smile I nodded my head at her.
"You're on." I said holding out a hand. With a smile of her own she brought her hand out and slapped it with mine.
"Well c'mon you two! Let's show these city dwellers how the youth of Bomont gets down." Smiling at both of us, Rusty loops her arms through ours and pulls us forward.
"Oh, you mean illegally and behind our parent's backs?" I asked in mock innocence.
Rusty winks at me and smiles, "Exactly." She replied leading us to the dance floor. I laugh at her along with Ariel and we weave in and out of other club patrons, the boys following somewhere behind us. And how did I know they were behind us? I knew because every girl were passed by would either look around or over us to check them out. Of course the guys didn't notice the appreciative glances they were receiving. No, all three of them were too busy taking in all the activity. Well, we couldn't have that now, could we? Those were our dates after all.
"Girls, we have some competition. I think it's time we stake our claim." I said glancing over at the two beside me. Both girls had identical looks of confusion on their faces so, curbing the urge to roll my eyes at them, I motioned to all the thirsty women around us. Together they started looking around us and slowly came to the same conclusion as I had. Then, at the same time, they turned on their heels and strode over to their respective dates. Rusty sauntered right up to Willard, grabbed him by the belt loops of his pants and kissed him soundly on the lips. A moment later Rusty released Willard, trading the belt loops for his hand, leading him to the dance floor. She did all this with a satisficed smile on her face. Looking like the cat that got the canary.
After they left I turned and watched what Ariel would do. Honestly, her choice worried me a little. It was a well known secret that Ariel was attracted to Ren. She liked him because he was new and made of different stock from the boys back home. It was all Rusty would gossip about the first few weeks Ren moved into town. Plus Ariel is beautiful, she always had been. She could have any guy she sets her eyes on with little to no effort. So you can understand my surprise when Ariel walked right past Ren like he wasn't even there and headed straight for Derek instead. She grabbed Derek's hand, easily intertwining her fingers with his, then followed after Rusty and Willard. As she passed by she shot me a wink then motioned her head back at Ren before completely walking away.
Smiling a bit, I shook my head as I walked over and claimed my man. Weaving my fingers through Ren's I smile and give a gentle tug, pulling him up to me. As he stepped closer our eyes met and he gave me a smirk, which I returned with a wink.
"So, you ready to get a little country in you?" I teased looking up into his eyes with a raised brow.
Ren chuckled, "Of course." giving my hand a gentle squeeze.
"Well c'mon, city boy. Everyone is waiting."
"Yes ma'am." He said and took lead taking us to the dance floor where the others were waiting.
We had just met up with the others when we spotted Willard and Rusty arguing about something a few feet away. I couldn't hear exactly what was being said but with the way my cousins kept shaking his head when Rusty pointed out to the floor I could guess what was going on.
"Come on, Let's go!" Derek yelled at the bickering couple.
"Willard!" Ariel hollers impatiently.
"Let's go dance! Hurry up!" Derek try's again to get my cousins attention.
"Derek, shut up. I'm gonna go talk to him." I say letting go of Ren's hand and moving towards Willard. I only take one step when Ren grabs up my hand again pulling me to a stop.
"No, I'll go. You girls go dance. Derek come help me." Ren says, dropping a quick kiss on my cheek then leaving with Derek.
"Hey. Just go dance with them." Ren tells Rusty pulling her away from Willard and pushing her towards us.
"Come on, let the boys handle it." I sooth grabbing her hand and wrapping my arm around her.
"He does this to me all the time." Rusty huffed angrily.
"I know, honey. But look don't worry about it, okay?" I say rubbing her arm. Rusty releases a tired sigh, "Alright." She agrees reluctantly.
"Good. Now let's go shake what the good lord gave us." I cheer bumping my hip against hers.
"Amen to that." Ariel agrees pumping her arms in the air. Walking out on the floor we find a spot to dance in and try to imitate the other dancers moves. In all honestly were weren't doing too good.
"No, no, you have to go like this." Ariel try's to explain kicking out each leg then clapping but she was off by a few seconds. We were laughing and messing around when the song ended and a familiar beat started playing over the speakers.
"Oh my god! You guys remember this song?" Ariel gasps in excitement.
"Oh hell yeah! Fake I.D. by Big & Rich." I cheered unbuttoning my denim vest shrugging it off and hanging it up on the railing. Just as the lyrics started Ren and Derek returned sans Willard.
"Hey. Where's Willard?" I asked over the music Ren.
"He's fine." He reassured me kissing my forehead and lining up next to me. I didn't have the chance to ask anymore when the song started and I was lost in the rhythm.
Hey, I've been driving all over town. On my cellphone wearin' it out. And I've finally tracked you down.
As the boots stomped on the wood, I rolled my body skillfully in time with the music making it look easy.
Hey, everybody says you're the man. The final piece to my master plan. You got my world in the palm of your hand.
Clapping my hands, I swirled my hips and kicked my boots in the air. I smiled and looked over at Ren dancing next to me. He was grinning ear to ear.
Well I know that you got it. Come on and just sell it. Got the cash up in my pocket. You know I gotta get it.
As the beat picked up the boot stomping got louder and the bodies moved faster to the song. Bodies pressed together, the thumping base, hands groping, hearts soaring, this is what dancing was all about.
Hey mister won't you sell me a fake ID. There's a band in the bar that I'm dying to see. I got my money and you got what I need. Hey mister won't you sell me a fake ID.
As we danced I spotted Ren and Rusty dancing together and busted out laughing when Ren abruptly grabbed Rusty and pulled her into a quick spin; causing them to bump into each other in a crash and stumble laughing their heads off.
And don't tell my daddy. Stole the keys to his caddy. Don't dilly dally, I gotta get the hell out of this alley.
The beat dropped and everyone broke out into their own free style dance moves. Somehow our group got separated and disappeared into the crowed. The only one I still had eyes on was Ren. I started dancing around joining different partners and groups, doing my own thing and having fun.
Here's my money, now get out of my way. Gonna push my luck right up to the stage.
At one point I was in this group of females dancing in a circle; we were moving our bodies and showing off what we got. Then the circle started spinning and I was laughing and having fun when I notice directly across from me in the circle formation was Ren. Noticing me too he smiled at me then motioned me to follow him out of the dancing females. Nodding at him I followed him to the center of the dance floor. As we danced, Ren grabbed my hand and spun me into his arms. I laughed loudly at him breaking out of his hold and spinning so we were face to face bringing us even closer to together. I moved in a sensual motion rotating my hips as Ren and I danced around each other. Then we met in the middle where our bodies molded together grinding against each other, slowly, sensually, roughly. His hand were grabbing my hips and mine were knotted in his shirt pulling him even closer. Breath heavy, we panted against each other with half lidded eyes and bright smiles. I could feel my heart pounding, begging to jump out of my chest, as his hands dropped down and gripped my thighs. I could feel the trail of fire wherever his hands landed. Forehead pressed together, eyes locked, lips almost touching but still a breath away, my senses were on overdrive. As Ren danced down my body, hands gripped every inch of my legs and waist before sliding back up my body lips ghosting over mine. As the last strum of the guitar, whistles and cheers echoed around the hall. Ren lifted me into his arms, my feet off the ground as he spun me around. Ren dropped me back to my feet but kept me in his embrace, arms locked around my waist and lower back, leaning his forehead against mine.
"I could kiss you." Ren said abruptly, bringing his hand up to my face running the pad of his thumb against my lower lip.
"I wouldn't stop you if you did." I replied looking back and forth between his eyes. I stared at him, heart pounding, waiting for his next move. Ren smiled down at me and moved his hand to caress my cheek as he dipped his head bringing his lips closer mine. I could feel his warm breath fan over my lips but before we could even cross those last few inches the moment was ruined by the sound of Rusty screaming.
"What the hell?" Ren asked pulling his head back and peering through the crowd. Suddenly Rusty ran towards us, pushing her way through the crowd on the floor with a panicked and frustrated look on her face.
"Guys, we need to go!"
"Why? Rusty, what happened?"
"It's Willard."
"Where IS Willard?" I asking looking around for my missing goof of a cousin.
"Long story short, Willard got into a fight and now he's laying unconscious on the floor." Rusty said.
"What?" I snapped and started to tear off through the crowd but I didn't get far because I was stopped by Ren latching on to my wrist.
"Okay, you, need to calm down." Ren says grabbing my shoulders and looking into my eyes.
"But Ren-" I started to protest but he cuts me off.
"Willard is fine, Sammy. Okay?" he asks and at my nod he turns and addresses Rusty. "Rusty go find Derek and Ariel and we'll go scrape the hillbilly off the ground. Meet us in parking lot."
"Alright." Rusty says then once again pushes her way through the crowd to find our friends.
"C'mon lets go get your cousin." Ren says grabbing my hand and leading me in what he presumed was Willard's direction. When we found him he was trying and failing to get to his feet resulting in his ungraceful crash to the ground. He was laughing his ass off and honestly if Rusty hadn't of told us what happened I would have thought he was drunk.
"Well, I think that's our cue to go." I sighed bending down and, with the help of Ren, lifted Willard off the floor.
"Ren? Sammy? When you guy get here? Where are we going?" Willard babbled stupidly in his daze.
"Come on, idiot, let's get you out of here before someone else decides your face needs rearranging." I replied rolling my eyes and ignoring his questions.
Eventually everyone made it back to Derek's truck and soon we all piled in. A moment later the country cub was in our review as we all headed back home.
"It just happened so fast, I mean..." Willard try to explain what had happened at the club.
"You got knocked out." Ren interrupted from beside me causing us all to laugh at my cousins expense.
"I just remember politely asking him, "Hey, get off of my girl."" Willard said sending us into another fit of laughter until it eventually stopped leaving us in a moment of silence. The truck had just crossed over a bridge. The silence was broken not long after by Willard.
"This bridge gives me the creeps." He whispered but because it was quiet in the car we all heard him.
"Willard!"
"Dude!"
Rusty and I shout at the same time. And just for extra effect I smack him on the chest.
"Sorry." Willard apologizes rubbing his chest.
"What?" Ren asks completely confused. No one wanted to say anything, it being a touchy subject. It caused an awkward silence to fall around us.
"This is Crosby bridge. You know that photo in school? The one with the teenagers that all got killed." Ariel asks but doesn't wait for an answer before continuing. "This is where it happened. My brother was driving them home. They lost control and they went head on into a truck." Ariel says I'm sure reliving the incident all over again.
"They were seniors. Two of them were all state, Ronnie Jamison and..." Willard trailed off unable to utter the name.
"And my brother. Bobby. You would've liked him. I looked up to him. He was my hero. But now every time I think about him, I just think about this bridge." Ariel finishes turning her head and staring out her window ignoring everyone in the car.
But I couldn't leave it at that so detangling myself from Ren I scoot forward and reach up between the front seats, taking Ariel's hand in silent comfort and support. She doesn't say anything but she does squeeze my hand is return and that's enough.
"Fuck this bridge." I breathe leaning my head against the seat.
"Amen."
