Fighting Faith

by Brandie Buckwine

  “I’m going to the bathroom,” she said in Taylor’s ear, struggling to make herself heard over the band.

  “Do you want me to come help?” He winked at her, his smile sexy and suggestive.

  She returned the smile and shook her head. He stunned her when he stood and pulled her into his embrace. His lips encased hers in a sweet, sensual kiss. The nausea retreated and the butterflies returned, his passion and love more evident in those soft sweeps of his lips than any other time he kissed her. It was a long moment before she could tear herself away.

  She squeezed his hand. “I’ll be right back.”

  In the privacy of the restroom, Faith splashed her face and worked to slow her thoughts.

  What Taylor symbolized appealed to her, yet, what the hell took him so long to choose her? Why would he show up, unannounced, and expect she’d be waiting for his return? It would be easy to slip back into the same old habits with him— waiting around for him to decide to come home, spending the day excited about their plans, only to have him cancel at the last minute, leaving her home to bear her disappointment alone.

  Would he still think more of himself than those around him? Did she just admit that as one of his faults? It was true, though. Taylor always came first. A distant second was the most she ever hoped for, but now, she wanted more. Hell, she could be content on her own, using Eric to satisfy all her physical needs, as long as he was willing.

  But, there was the matter of Taylor’s kiss. It nearly had her weak in the knees. Eric’s kisses didn’t do that. In fact, she couldn’t even remember how Eric’s kiss felt. Taylor deserves a chance at least, a chance to show me I’m important to him. With the decision made, she left the bathroom and went back to the table.

  Before she could sit, Van jumped up and took her hand.

  “Dance with me, Faith,” he said, pulling her toward the dance floor. She looked back to the table. Only Taylor, Eric, and Tim remained. Taylor smiled and waved her away, obviously not threatened by the short, agreeable man.

  The band played an old Three Dog Night tune, and Van pulled her into a relaxed jitterbug-waltz cross. The way he glided around the floor and led her effortlessly was impressive, and Faith had to chuckle. How could men like Taylor not sense the danger of a man like Van, who, although not the most handsome man around, could likely have his pick of women?

  He wrapped his arm around her waist and spun them in a circle. Many couples danced, but Van maneuvered them through and around the others so Faith never felt crowded.

  “I guess congratulations are in order,” he said, pulling her close.

  “Congratulations? For what?”

  “I hear wedding bells are in your future.” He flung her to the end of his reach and pulled her back.

  “Who told you that?”

  “Sarah said something about Taylor coming back to lay claim to you.”

  “Taylor has no claim on me,” she said, louder than she needed to.

  “I’m glad to hear that. If he did, I might not get to see as much of you anymore, if you know what I mean.” He waggled his brow.

  “Van!” Faith slapped his shoulder. “You are just rude. A gentleman wouldn’t have mentioned it.”

  “Have I done anything since we met to make you think I’m a gentleman?” He spun her so her back was to him then swung her around and into his arms.

  “I don’t know what will happen with Taylor. I never really expected to see him again, at least, not with an interest in me.”

  “I know Eric will be bummed.”

  “Eric? How? Didn’t he explain there isn’t anything between us?” Van rolled his eyes. “Yeah, he told me all about it. You should ask him to dance.”

  “Why would I do that?”

  “Because you know you want to, and I think he’d like that.”

  “Maybe, but I doubt Taylor would.”

  “You said he had no claim to you, so who cares?”

  Faith looked to see Eric still at the table with Tim, but Taylor was at the bar talking to a group of people she didn’t recognize, most of them women. “Maybe I will.”

  “Do it. I’d love to see how well you two can move on the dance floor, though I don’t think there’s any way you can beat this morning.”

  She laughed and shook her head. “You just don’t know when to quit, do you?”

  “I’m serious, Faith. Dance with him.”

  The idea made her pulse race, but what if he said no? He was in a foul mood already—

  that was clear. If he took it out on her, she wasn’t sure she could take it. Not tonight. As it was, tears hovered near the surface, ready, should the need arise.

  “He won’t say no,” Van assured her as the song ended. “Just do it.” He led her back to the table by the hand, giving her a squeeze before letting go.

  The sound of her heartbeat threatened to drown out everything around her. She stared at Eric until her eyes met his, their inviting depths pulling her away from her thoughts, silencing the deafening rhythm of her pulse and wiping away her reason for staring at him, until Van nudged her with his foot.

  “Eric? Dance with me?”

  His mouth dropped open and Tim’s eyebrows rose. Faith tried to smile.

  “Uh, yeah,” he bumbled, slowly rising.

  Faith checked the bar again to make sure Taylor was still occupied, and then turned toward the dance floor with Eric at her heels. Once more, her pounding pulse replaced the rhythm of the band. After all the crazy things she and Eric had been through over the last few months, why did something as innocent as dancing have her so worked up? The band played The Rolling Stones as she turned and waited for him to touch her.

  ***

  Eric pulled her body to his and held her close. She didn’t resist and returned his embrace.

  The entire night was a blur at this point, a continuum of dizzy spells, panic, fear, and anger.

  Holding her in his arms gave him a new feeling, at once unfamiliar, but welcome.

  He sang along to the song in her ear, “Graceless lady, you know who I am. You know I can't let you slide through my hands. Wild horses couldn't drag me away.” After a few moments, she spoke— “We should probably start moving or people are going to wonder what’s wrong with us. I know you know how to dance— I’ve seen you do it.” The words didn’t sink in right away, but when they did, Eric realized he was standing in the middle of the dance floor hugging Faith as tight as he could, singing to her. He loosened his hold on her, began to sway to the song, and buried his face in her hair. His heart pushed at him to do something, say anything to convince her to be with him.

  After a few minutes of silence, she said, “You’re very quiet. I thought maybe you had something you wanted to say to me,” Faith said.

  Was there something he wanted to say? Should he tell her he wanted to kiss her, that he didn’t want to let her go? Could he tell her to forget about Taylor and be with him? Did she want him to say something in particular? The more he thought about it, the more he realized, he didn’t know how to talk to Faith. All they’d ever done was argue, exchange barbs, or tell each other how good something felt. They’d never had a normal conversation.

  “No, I don’t,” he finally said.

  She pulled her head away to look at him, but he couldn’t meet her eye. “Okay, I just keep thinking you’re on the verge of saying something.”

  He pressed her head back to his shoulder. “I…” he started, but didn’t know how to continue.

  “You what?” she mumbled into his shirt.

  “I— I don’t know how to talk to you,” he finally spit out.

  She looked up at him. “What do you mean?”

  “I…we’ve never,” he shook his head in frustration, “we always—”

  “Mind if I cut in?” Faith’s body jerked away from his as Taylor pulled on her arm.

  The sudden loss of her warmth against his skin gave him chills, and he shook his head to clear the fog from his mind. He searched Faith’s eyes for some glimpse
of what she felt, but he only found his confusion mirrored back.

  “No, of course not,” he managed as he turned away, even though every bone in his body wanted to knock Taylor to the ground.

  He passed by the bar and grabbed Van’s arm as he did. “I’m heading out. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Van jumped off his stool and followed him. “Where are you going? It’s early?”

  “I have a headache. Drinking and dancing isn’t going to make it any better.”

  “Dude,” Van stepped in front of him. “Are you okay? Do you want me to come with you?”

  “Not unless you can get rid of this headache for me.” Eric pushed past him and walked out the door, into the parking lot. Soon, footsteps sounded in the gravel behind him. Over his shoulder, he saw Van scurrying to catch him.

  “Eric, slow down,” Van panted, out of breath after only fifty feet.

  “What?” Eric turned on his heel.

  “I don’t know what you’re so freaked out about.” Van stopped to wipe his brow, his face glowing pink. “She’s obviously not into him.”

  “I’m not freaked out. And of course she is. He’s the love of her life.” Eric turned and continued on his way.

  “Well, for someone who’s so in love, Faith sure looked uncomfortable with him. If fact, she spent most of her time trying to sneak a peek at you.”

  “Really?” Eric stopped again.

  “Really.” Van pulled a cigarette from his shirt pocket and stuck it between his lips. His hand fished around for a lighter.

  “No,” Eric shook his head and thumped Van’s shirt pocket, where his lighter showed through. “She’s probably just bummed we won’t be able to screw around anymore.” Van stomped his feet and spread his arms wide. “Well, duh! If she was happy about him being back, she wouldn’t have any regrets about not being able to bump nasties with you anymore.” He lit his cigarette and dropped the lighter back in his pocket. “Maybe you haven’t won the hand, but you’d be an idiot to fold when you’ve got such good cards. Hell, that dickhead is betting, and raising, without even looking at his hole cards!”

  “Yeah?” Eric cocked his head to the side.

  “Yeah.”

  “Well then,” he said with a grin. “I guess I’d better pretty up my poker face.”

  “I’m not sure you’ll need it.” Van took a drag. “I think your best bet is to lay your cards on the table and go all-in.”

  “Maybe” he nodded.

  “Eric.”

  “What?”

  “Don’t dick around, or you’ll lose.”

  “I know.”

  Van turned and headed back toward the bar. Eric walked in uneven circles, stopping and looking at the building every few rotations. What if she said no? When Taylor kissed her, it looked like Faith might jump into his arms. Would she push him away if he tried? The daydream of their first kiss returned. His heart raced at the thought of tasting her, feeling her smooth tongue against his. Hours kissing her might not be enough. Days would be nice, every waking moment spent in her arms, kissing. The one woman in the world he could imagine following everywhere with his tongue hanging out.

  With a deep breath, Eric straightened up, and strode back to the bar.

  Chapter Twelve

  Navigating the dance floor with Taylor was odd, even compared to Eric’s near motionless style. He was the yin to her…yin, his toes constantly underfoot, turning into her, making her stumble around the floor. She pushed him away to dance on her own.

  “Maybe we should just—”

  “Yeah, maybe.”

  The song called for close contact, and they were the only couple on the floor dancing apart. Finding the slow rhythm and maintaining fluid movement was awkward. She felt like a displaced flower child.

  “I need a drink. Do you mind?” she asked.

  “No, a drink sounds great,” he turned and nearly ran to the bar. Faith followed.

  A waving twenty got the bartender’s attention. “Can I get a Wild Turkey and Coke, and a gin and tonic?”

  “You know,” Faith pulled at his sleeve, “will you just get me water?”

  “You don’t want water. How about a beer?” He turned to the bar, “Scratch the gin and tonic, and make it a beer.”

  “I really just want some water.”

  Taylor handed her a can of beer. “Drink this. We are not celebrating my homecoming with water.”

  When he turned his back, Faith set the beer on the bar. The bartender handed her a glass of water and winked. She thanked him, took the glass, and followed Taylor back to their table.

  Sarah, Jose, Tim, and Daniel surrounded it, but there was no sign of Eric or Van.

  No sooner had she settled into her seat than Taylor popped up from his chair. “Let’s play some pool. We can play doubles, and you girls can watch.” He grinned and looked back and forth between them all.

  Sarah’s face blanched at being called a ‘girl,’ but the guys stood, anxious to play.

  “You guys go. Sarah and I are fine here.”

  Taylor pulled her up, into his arms. He nuzzled her ear. “I need a cheerleader, or I’ll get my ass kicked.”

  She opened her mouth to tell him she was no cheerleader, but he grabbed her by the hand and pulled her along behind him to the poolroom. Why couldn’t she tell him he was being an asshole? Why was she trying not to hurt the man’s feelings? Sleep. A little sleep and I won’t care what he thinks about it.

  Sarah stood up and followed, shaking her head. Just as Faith decided to walk out, Van appeared at her side.

  “What’s the matter, sweetie? You look like you’re about to burst.”

  “Nothing. It’s just been a long day. As I’m sure you know I didn’t get much sleep last night.”

  He grinned and rubbed her shoulder. Taylor announced Daniel was his partner and told Faith she had to cheer for them both.

  “Do you want to dance again?”

  “No, thanks. In fact, I think I’m going to head out here pretty quick. I’m sure if you look around, you’ll find plenty of willing partners.”

  “I’m not determined to dance; I just hate seeing you look so miserable.” She smiled, touched by his concern. He was more of a gentleman than he gave himself credit for. “I’m just tired. Nothing some sleep won’t cure.”

  “Alright! We’re stripes,” Taylor said, banging his cue on the floor, like that was the object of the game and they won.

  Across the room, Eric appeared, his eyes searching. He sighted Faith and came toward her, weaving around the rowdy patrons.

  “Eric’s back,” Van said, but he received no acknowledgment. From the moment Eric’s gaze found Faith’s, he held it, even as he dodged bodies in his path, until he stood in front of her.

  She held her breath when he stared down at her. Why was he looking at her that way? Did he want to dance again? No, there was something in his eyes, something Faith didn’t recognize.

  Fear? Dread?

  His open hand reached for her, palming her cheek and wrapping his fingers around the back of her neck. The world around her disappeared as his face drew near her own, his lips meeting hers, the tender touch sending sparks through her body, each cell electrified by the feel of his tongue against her own. His other hand cradled her head from the other side as his kiss deepened. Vaguely, Faith perceived a commotion around her, but she refused to give it notice, focusing only on the lightning bolts coursing to each nerve in celebration of this magical experience. The sensation of falling consumed her, but a strong arm rushed to her waist and pulled her upright. Falling, falling where? To the ground? Away from the earth? Falling in love, her mind told her. Yes. The fall was magnificent.

  When his mouth let her go to the sound of throats clearing and giggles, Faith studied his eyes and recognized the meaning they conveyed— love and devotion. She felt it too.

  “Faith! What the fuck?” She tore her gaze away and looked beyond Eric to find Van and Jose restraining a red faced, sweating Taylor. One eye showed sig
ns of swelling.

  “I love you, Faith,” Eric whispered in her ear. “I can’t promise you things are going to be perfect.” Eric ignored the chaos behind him and continued in a whisper. “We’re going to have to start touring soon, and that could mess things up. But, I promise to do my very best to make you happy and treat you like the incredible creature you are.” Taylor broke free of his guards and lunged toward her. “You bitch! You can’t treat me like this!”

  Eric spun around and met Taylor with his fist. The man staggered backward. Van and Jose stepped aside so he could land on his ass without interference.

  A smile spread from her lips to her toes when Eric took her hand in his with a squeeze.

  “Now, let’s go dance for real.”

  “Wait just a minute,” Sarah stopped them. “I think you two have some explaining to do.”

  “No kidding,” said Tim. Jose and Daniel nodded, coming to stand beside Sarah.

  Eric put his hand on Van’s shoulder as they passed him. “You wanna fill them in?”

  “Gladly,” Van grinned.

  Her eyes followed this man she loved as he led them away from their friends, but her ears were on Van until she couldn’t hear him anymore.

  “Well you see, all that fighting? It was just cover so you guys wouldn’t know they’ve been screwing each other’s brains out this whole time. That video we watched? Well…” Once on the dance floor, Eric pulled her into his arms and swayed to the song. Even though a crowd of people surrounded them, Faith pulled his head to hers. She had to kiss him again. Nothing compared to the feel of his lips on hers. Through several songs, they kissed.

  Ignoring calls of, “Get a room,” they continued. When she finally pulled away, tears filled her eyes.