by Ari McKay
“I’m looking forward to it.” Immediately, he could have kicked his own ass. What had he just told himself? So he grinned and winked playfully, hoping he hadn’t made Tomy suspicious.
Tomy gave a little “hmph” and glanced away, blushing again. “Let’s just focus on the waltz right now. We’re going to start without the music so you can get used to the steps. Once you’re comfortable with the moves, we’ll add music, okay?”
“Okay.” Jason felt a hint of nervousness at first, but Tomy explained everything clearly and moved him slowly through the steps again and again, until he grew comfortable enough that he didn’t have to watch his feet. He’d been half afraid his knee would make him awkward or clumsy, but he didn’t even feel a twinge. By the time they’d run through it a dozen or so times, Jason found himself enjoying the way they moved together.
“You’re doing really well,” Tomy said as he released Jason and went to the stereo. “How’s your knee holding up? Are you up for trying it with music?”
“The knee is fine, thank you,” he replied, pleased with the praise. “Sure, we can go for music.” He laughed. “I guess I should call my college coach and thank him for all the practice running through the tires. Apparently I can count and move my feet at the same time.”
“Actually, that probably is helping you now.” Tomy glanced back, his expression showing he wasn’t teasing. “I’ve heard of football players who take dance lessons, and all of that footwork training does carry over to something like this. Different applications, of course, but the basic concept is the same.”
“I hadn’t thought of it that way, but you’re probably right.” As Tomy turned back to the CD player, Jason allowed himself the luxury of taking a nice, long look at Tomy’s tight pants and the ass inside them again. Sean wasn’t just an idiot, he was fucking insane to have walked away from Tomy. But maybe his loss would be Jason’s gain.
Tomy flipped to a specific track and hit Play, and the melody of a classic waltz filled the room. “I’ve got it on repeat, so we can keep going as long as we need to.” He glanced at his watch. “Well, for the next fifteen minutes, at least. Then I’ve got to get ready for my class.” He returned to Jason and held out his arms. “Okay, big guy, show me what you’ve learned.”
As laid-back as Jason was, he couldn’t resist a challenge. So he stepped closer, pulled Tomy into the hold, and began to waltz.
The music made it easier, because he could hear the count, rather than having to keep it in his head. Tomy moved with him with fluid grace, and Jason did his best to match him, remembering Tomy’s comment about elegance. Of course he fell far short of Tomy’s ability, but he wasn’t stumbling, missing steps, or treading on Tomy’s toes, and he grinned.
“I’m dancing!” he said, looking down at Tomy, not bothering to hide his delight. “I’m really dancing!”
Tomy smiled proudly up at him. “You really are, and you’re doing a damned fine job of it too. I don’t think you’ll have to worry about shaming anybody.”
That smile made Jason’s heart flip over. “Thank you,” he replied, his voice a trifle husky. “I think it owes a lot to your teaching.”
Tomy brought them to an easy, graceful stop. “I’m tapping into your innate ability, that’s all. If you didn’t have natural talent, my teaching wouldn’t have been so successful. I think we’ll be able to add some cool embellishments next time. You can handle it.”
“You think so?” Jason smiled hopefully. “It’s weird. I mean, I like it. It’s like floating. I didn’t expect that.”
“It’s a very smooth dance,” Tomy agreed. “Next time, I’ll grab one of my cousins and let you see it from an observer’s standpoint. I think we’ll work on your frame as well. You don’t need to be perfect since this isn’t for a competition, but you’re good enough that we can fine-tune some things instead of spending all our time just getting the timing and footwork down.”
“That sounds good to me!” Jason nodded. “Well, I suppose you need to get ready for class?”
“Yeah, I do.” Tomy offered a regretful smile. “Sorry about cutting you short this time. Next time, we’ll see about carving out a longer block of time.”
“That would be great.” Jason was disappointed he couldn’t spend more time with Tomy now, but he could be patient. He held out his hand. “Thanks again, Tomy. I really appreciate this, and my sister will too.”
“No problem,” Tomy replied, clasping Jason’s hand in a firm handshake.
“I’ll leave my cell phone number and email with the receptionist for you.” Jason reluctantly released Tomy’s hand. “Good luck with class. I’m already looking forward to our next lesson.”
“Thanks. Just don’t forget to practice before next time.” Tomy wagged his finger mock-sternly at Jason.
Jason chuckled. “I will… at least as much as you practice your knitting.”
“I’m not knitting to have my scarf worn in public at my sister’s wedding,” Tomy retorted.
“True enough.” Jason inclined his head in acknowledgment of the point. “Well… have a great evening, Tomy. See you soon.”
Jason left the practice room and made his way to the front desk, where he gave his contact information to the receptionist and arranged for payment for his lesson. Then he headed back to Stitchin’ Time, whistling cheerfully as he walked. Phase one of his plan to woo Tomy had been successful, and he couldn’t wait until his next lesson.
Chapter Five
AS APRIL brought in milder weather and allowed Tomy to start shedding layers of his winter wardrobe, he felt as if he was shedding more than just clothes. The pervasive gloom that had weighed him down since Christmas was dissipating at last, and he realized he didn’t feel the need to bury himself in work to the exclusion of all else. Instead, he began saying yes when his friends asked if he wanted to join them for dinner or drinks after work, and he accepted Lola’s invitations to go to the movies or to see a band she thought he’d like.
He also began working on his scarf. He’d finally reached the point where sitting still and working with his hands wasn’t a form of torture, and he discovered it was an easy, mindless thing to do while he unwound in front of the TV after work.
He was also starting to enjoy the private lessons with Jason Winters. Dancing with Jason was much different from dancing with Sean or any of the dancers he was teaching or coaching. There wasn’t any pressure for perfection, because he wasn’t helping Jason prepare for a competition, and Jason was good enough that Tomy could teach him how to dance better than the average social dancer.
They were meeting every other week or so, and Tomy was satisfied enough with Jason’s progress on the waltz to move on to the fox-trot. Jason had developed a good, stable frame and had improved his posture, and Tomy had shown him a few embellishments he could throw in to impress the Junior League crowd on the dance floor.
The fox-trot would be more of a challenge since it required different moves and fancier footwork, but he thought Jason would be able to handle it. For their first lesson, he asked Lola to join them so he could show Jason what the dance should look like before trying to teach it to him.
Jason arrived promptly, as he always did, and he grinned as he saw Lola. “Aww, Teach, you gonna make me dance with a girl?” he asked with a look of wide-eyed appeal at Tomy. “What if she gives me cooties?”
“Ha! You should be so lucky as to catch cooties from me, big boy,” she replied, tossing her long dark hair back over her shoulder. “Just for that, I’m going to come down to the shop and pick out the most expensive yarn you have and take all of it home for my stash!”
Rather than paying Tomy directly for the lessons, they had worked out a deal where Jason allowed Ana Lucia and Lola a fair amount of store credit instead. As it was, it didn’t seem that either his mother or sister had to pay for a thing at Stitchin’ Time anymore.
“You’re going to have to dance with girls at the wedding,” Tomy pointed out, but then he relented. “But today, the only o
ne who’s going to get cooties is me.” He grinned at his sister right before giving her a “cootie shot” on her arm.
Lola scowled and bopped him playfully on the head. “Behave, you brat, or I’ll tell Mama you’re being mean to me!”
“Uh-oh.” Jason winked at Tomy. “You better watch out. She’s calling in the big guns.”
“I’m not worried,” Tomy replied. Being the baby of the family had its perks, after all. “Anyway, since we’re starting a new dance today, I thought it might help if you saw it first. Lola and I are going to dance the same choreography I’m going to teach you.”
“Sounds good to me.” Jason stepped to one side of the room, taking himself out of the way. “Ready when you are.”
Tomy started the music, and then he ran through the steps with Lola three times. The first time, they took it at normal speed. The second time, they slowed down the pace so Jason could get a good look at what they were doing, and then the third time they went back to normal speed.
Although Lola didn’t work full-time at the studio anymore, she came in to help out often enough that her skills hadn’t atrophied, and she and Tomy had danced together so much over the years that it was rather like putting on old, comfortable shoes for both of them, and they moved together with grace and ease.
“Thanks, sis,” he said as the demonstration ended. “It was nice getting to lead again,” he added with a teasing smile at Jason.
Lola curtseyed gracefully, her eyes dancing with amusement. “My pleasure. It’s the least I can do for all the yarn I’m getting.”
Jason had followed them with a look of intense concentration the entire time. “That’s a lot more complicated than the waltz,” he said, then nodded once. “But I think I can do it.” Jason’s confidence had grown a lot during their lessons, and he no longer seemed as worried as he had been about treading on anyone’s feet.
“It is more complicated,” Tomy agreed. “I’m not sure if you’ll get the chance to show it off at the wedding. Then again, I’ve never been to a society wedding. The Chicken Dance and the Electric Slide were about as complicated as it got for the ones I’ve been to.”
“Yeah, those have always been more my speed too,” Jason replied. “But I want to be prepared for anything.”
“I’m sure you’ll do fine,” Lola said, patting Jason on the arm. “Now show me what you’ve got, big guy.”
She moved to a row of chairs up against the wall and settled in with the obvious intention of watching the rest of the lesson.
“Okay, same drill as before.” Tomy approached Jason and placed Jason’s hands where they needed to be to demonstrate the correct hold. “We’re going to go through the steps slowly without music until you think you’ve got them. Then we’ll speed up and add music.”
“Right.” Jason grinned down at Tomy playfully. “I’m sure if I screw up, you’ll let me know.”
“Don’t I always?” Tomy arched one eyebrow at him in return.
“Yes, you do. I expect the thumbscrews to come out eventually.” Jason glanced over at Lola. “Be honest. He has a whip, doesn’t he?”
Lola smiled wickedly. “He probably has a paddle and handcuffs too.”
“Lola!” Tomy felt his face grow hot at his sister’s risqué remark, and he glanced up at Jason uncertainly, hoping he wasn’t offended. But Jason threw back his head and laughed.
“I’m lucky my sister is younger than me rather than older,” he said. “I believe older sisters must consider it a God-given right to embarrass their little brothers.”
“Of course it is.” Lola sounded complacent. “But believe me, he gives as good as he gets. Don’t you, Tomasito?”
“I had to. You and Gabriel tag-teamed me,” Tomy retorted, sticking his tongue out at her. He relaxed, grateful Jason had laughed, because he didn’t want Jason getting the wrong idea about him.
It was a complicated situation, he realized as he gazed up at Jason. He had zero interest in dating, and yet he’d felt a certain amount of chemistry with Jason ever since they met. He wasn’t sure how mutual it was, but even if it was just a little bit mutual, he had to be careful. The last thing he wanted to do was inadvertently lead Jason on and hurt his feelings. But Tomy had no idea when or even if he would ever be ready to date again. It wasn’t something he wanted to think about right now.
“It was tough being the youngest in this family,” he added, trying to keep the conversation focused on less dangerous topics.
“Oh, I’m so sure you were neglected and put upon horribly, not spoiled and pampered,” Jason said.
“Yeah, we beat him up twice a day and three times on Sunday.” Lola waved her hand. “Are you two going to dance, or talk all day?”
Tomy stuck his tongue out at her again before focusing his attention on Jason. “Okay, I’m going to kind of lead for this until you get comfortable with the steps. After that, though, you need to step up and take control, because you’ll probably be dancing with an inexperienced partner at the wedding.”
Great, he thought sourly. One mention of handcuffs and paddles and suddenly everything he said sounded like innuendo to his own ears.
“I can handle taking control, no problem,” Jason replied, his expression too innocent to be innocent. “Once you show me what you want, that is.”
Tomy felt his face heating up again, and he channeled his embarrassment into irritation, shooting a quelling glare at Lola, who was watching them with bright-eyed interest.
“Then let’s get started.”
With that, he began guiding Jason through the steps, doggedly focusing on the dance, not on the warmth of Jason’s hands seeping through his clothes, not on how well they moved together, and definitely not on Lola’s knowing looks. No dating, he reminded himself firmly. He didn’t trust his judgment anymore, and he didn’t want to risk rebounding into anyone, especially not the owner of the yarn shop that fed his mother and sister’s knitting addiction. No, he and Jason would just be friends. That was all Tomy wanted right now.
He glanced over at Lola again, only to see her smirking at him, and he realized his situation was going to get even more complicated than he thought thanks to his family. Well, they couldn’t push him into anything he didn’t want to do, he thought sternly.
A little voice popped up in the back of his mind, suggesting that perhaps what he wanted wasn’t all that clear-cut. Tomy told it to shut the hell up and concentrated on the fox-trot for all he was worth.
Chapter Six
MAY BROUGHT in an early, sweltering preview of summer, and as usual, business at Stitchin’ Time slumped accordingly. There were still the regulars, of course, the year-round knitters who kept up with their hobby no matter the weather, but the casual crafters and walk-in business slacked off. Not that Jason minded. After owning his shop for nearly four years, he’d come to expect the cyclical nature of the business, and he enjoyed having a bit of peace during the day to work on his dye projects and his own knitting.
Class was more sparsely attended as well, though still better than the numbers would be in July and August. Most importantly, Tomy was there, and Jason was pleased to see he’d been knitting enough outside of class to have the scarf nearly finished. Tomy had done a good job of it too, and so Jason brought out a book of dish-towel patterns and had Tomy select a skein or two of kitchen cotton that appealed to him for his next project.
A week after the knitting class came Jason’s lesson, and he was looking forward to it eagerly. Tomy was finally satisfied that Jason had mastered the fox-trot well enough for the wedding, so now they would be moving on to the tango. This lesson was something Jason had thought about a lot, and so he’d dressed with care in a silver silk shirt that clung to him like a second skin and that his sister said made his eyes look like a stormy sky. It wasn’t yet time to ask Tomy out, but it was now five months past his breakup, and if Jason had been reading things correctly, Tomy was starting to look at him as more than a teacher of knitting and a student of dance. That was a good thing, es
pecially since Jason was dying to ask Tomy to come to Jennifer’s wedding as his date. As it was, he’d told his sister to mark him as “plus one” because he wasn’t yet certain who he’d be bringing.
He waved to Luciana at the receptionist’s desk, not stopping to speak to her as he normally would because she was in the middle of a phone call. Making his way back to their regular practice room, he slipped inside and began to do some of the warm-up stretches Tomy had recommended. The fox-trot had been a much more energetic dance than the waltz, but the tango was going to require more flexibility than anything he’d tried so far.
Tomy arrived a couple of minutes later, stopping to look at Jason uncertainly. “Are you going somewhere after this? You might want to change shirts if you don’t want to get that one sweaty.”
“Actually, this one dries quickly and is quite cool,” Jason replied. “I’m not going anywhere after this except home.” He smiled wryly. “God, I’m such a stick in the mud, aren’t I?”
“I can’t say anything.” Tomy shrugged and spread his hands as he approached. “I’ve been getting out more in the last few weeks than I did for months after the breakup, but I’m still much more of a homebody than I used to be.”
“Well, it’s not surprising. You were in a lot of pain.” Jason tilted his head to one side. “You seem to be doing much better these days, which I’m glad to see.”
Tomy drew in a deep breath and released it in a short puff, looking as if he was debating how to answer that. “I’m a lot better than I was around January and February.” He shrugged slightly. “I’ll spare you any other gory details. I’m sure you aren’t interested in my relationship postmortem.”