Page 37 of Big Stick Energy
Maribel and Theo hop up onto the stage and join hands, striking a pose. They’re both smiling broadly, and when the jazzy music starts, Theo swings Maribel around the stage like a damn professional.
They look fantastic. But what really stands out for me is the look of joy on Maribel’s face—like she’s already won the only contest that really matters.
“Okay. Fine,” I grumble. “This whole thing is worth it to see her so happy.”
“That’s the spirit,” Darcy says, munching on a chocolate-covered strawberry, looking like she hasn’t got a care in the world.
They finish with a dip that makes Maribel laugh. And then another couple is summoned to the stage—a pair of octogenarians who do a competent foxtrot. After that, a small group of Theo’s college friends do the electric slide.
“See?” Darcy says after. “This is really cute. Nothing to worry about.”
I stare up at the stage, trying to decide which of the guys inspired her use of the word “cute.” I’m not sure why I care. But then another couple takes the stage—a hugely pregnant young woman and her wife. They perform a clumsy tango, and Darcy applauds loudly afterward.
“Next up,” Tessa says with a big grin, “we have hockey star ERIC TREMAINE and,” she lowers the mic so somehow nobody can even hear her say, “Darcy.”
My impromptu girlfriend doesn’t seem to care. “That’s us!” She grabs my hand and tugs me toward my doom. All of a sudden, I’m standing on a little stage with lights shining in my eyes.I hear applause and the silky sound of Darcy’s voice whispering: “Remember—one, two, cha-cha-cha.”
Nobody better post this shit on the internet. That’s all I’m saying.
Just as we’d practiced at a rest stop on Route 90, I take Darcy’s hand. Then our music starts, so I take a breath and start counting it out.One, two, cha-cha-cha.
“Breathe,” Darcy whispers. Her cool gaze lands on mine, and she looks two-thirds relaxed and one-third amused.
Our song is “Love Is Strange” by Mickey and Sylvia, otherwise known as that song inDirty Dancingwhen the main characters lip-sync the funny lyrics to each other. That’s our plan, too. As our Mickey, the first line belongs to me. I turn to face the crowd and lip-sync along with him.
To my absolute surprise, theyeruptinto happy laughter and applause. Then it’s Darcy’s turn, to lip-sync, and they go wild again.
Okay, so Darcy is a damn genius.
We trade the rest of the lines while dancing. That’s the whole gimmick. And it’s… easy? We cha-cha some more, while I direct us around in a circle. My feet do what they’re supposed to. Well, mostly. But it doesn’t matter, because in 1956 two singers created this silly little pantomime, and we’re just riding on their coattails for a minute.
The lyrics wash over me as Mickey and Sylvia sing about love and taking it for agame. Which is so on the nose that I almost burst out laughing.
But our bit is over in a blink, and suddenly Darcy and I are bowing to loud applause.
“That wasn’t so hard, right?” Darcy says as I help her off the platform.
“No, ma’am.”
Maribel hug-tackles us. “That was darling! ‘Love Is Strange’—what a great pick!”
“That’s all Darcy,” I say. And somehow, I’m still holding her hand. Letting go just doesn’t make much sense.
“Ooh, Eric! Little cupcakes,” my date says with obvious delight. “And tiny cheesecakes!”
Darcy deserves those miniature desserts, so we follow Maribel over to the spread. I watch as Darcy pops a tiny key lime cheesecake into her mouth.
Then shemoans, and I feel it in my cock.
“… Not here?” Maribel is saying.
Darcy licks her lip, and it takes a great effort to peel my gaze off her and back to Maribel. “Hmm? Sorry.”
Maribel’s eyes twinkle as she glances between us. “I was just asking after George and Patty. They couldn’t make it tonight?”
“Ah.” The mention of my parents is a perfect dick deflator. “They’re coming to the wedding,” I say carefully. “But my mother is having a rough week.”
“Oh,” Maribel says, swallowing hard. “June, right?”
