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.I didn’t even hear him approach."Relax, dude," he laughs at me."We’ve got two hot women in there waitin’ for us.Even if you can’t touch, who says you can’t look?"But I can’t just look at Sasha.There’s no way.Not after I held her in my arms.Not after I tasted her sweet lips.I’m through with staying away from her.We walk into the dimly lit bar, and I hear the peanut shells crunch beneath my feet.My eyes immediately find Sasha in the crowd.Julie snagged a table near the dance floor, and Sasha’s attempting to drag a suddenly reluctant Jason out there with her.The song the band’s playing is coming to a fiddle-stomping end, and she can’t wait to join in the fun.But Jason is the epitome of teenage awkwardness.His face is bright red as she guides him by the hand into the throng of dancers.A space opens up just as the band strums the opening chords to "Any Man of Mine" by Shania Twain.I stand transfixed letting people mill around me, loving what a good time she’s having out there.She doesn’t know the steps, but it doesn’t matter; she’s smiling ear to ear as Jason tries to lead her through it.They’re messing up, stepping on each other’s toes, but it’s the cutest darn thing I ever saw.Her face is partially hidden under the straw cowboy hat Julie placed on her head when they waltzed through the door, so no one really knows who she is.She still doesn’t know what it means to be famous herself, personally, and I’d hate to see the freedom and openness she’s showing out there ever get taken away from her.She shouldn’t have to bottle up her personality and go hide in the corner somewhere.She deserves to be front and center.It’s where she’s meant to be."Bro, you might wanna get a move on." Landry nudges my arm."I said you could look, not ogle."I snap out of it, keenly aware that some of the reporters are glancing at me from the bar.I have to pull myself together or I’m not going to make it through the night.I wish Sasha and I could have some fun together, but I have to be content in knowing that she’s having a good time, even if I’m not.She’s been through a lot the last couple of days.She needs to let loose a little."The usual?" Landry asks.I nod since it’s too loud to be heard as he elbows his way up to the bar.It’s not long before he’s slipping an ice-cold Pabst Blue Ribbon into my hand."You’re the only guy I know who drinks that stuff.Well, maybe you and my great-uncle who’s over a hundred.""You don’t know what you’re missing," I respond, taking a swig from the bottle, knowing that I’m going to need a lot more than this to keep my thoughts off Sasha’s swaying hips.The crowd begins to part before us.Word has spread like wildfire that Mike Landry and Brooks Davison are in the house.So far, no one’s recognized Sasha, but it’s only a matter of time.I kind of wish she could be anonymous, just for tonight, but I know that’s not going to happen.When we reach the table where Julie’s sitting, a buzz goes through the room when Sasha spins, causing her hat to fall off.That’s all it takes for everyone’s attention to focus in on her like a laser.There’s plenty of whispering as people start to point and gesture to their friends at just who’s kicking up her heels on the dance floor.Jason senses that something’s up as he glances over at his mom, but Sasha seems oblivious to everything as she twirls him around her."Do you want me to go get them?" Landry asks his wife, seeing the panic on his son’s face and feeling his paternal instinct kicking in."Nah, they’ll be all right." Julie waves her hand after assessing the situation."He’s seen crazy fans before.He knows how to handle himself.And Sasha’s no fool.""You don’t think it could get outta hand?" Landry turns slowly in place, doing a full sweep of the building."We get her out of here if it does," I mutter to them."No matter what.""She’s fine," Julie replies with a lot more assurance than I have at the moment.The song concludes with a flourish as the other dancers turn and face Sasha and Jason, giving them a round of applause.The lead singer grabs the microphone, officially welcoming her to The Pig’s Tail, and a cacophony of hoots and whistles rain down upon her.She’s clearly taken aback by the reaction she’s getting, but she continues to smile as she tips her hat to the crowd, acknowledging their hospitality.It doesn’t take long for a guy to approach her, asking her if he could have the next dance.Unsure of what to do, she shrugs her shoulders, giving him her hand as the band launches into a Kenny Chesney classic.At least it’s a fast one, and Sasha keeps a respectful distance between them as they move to the pulsing beat of the music.Jason returns to the table all sweaty and in need of the frosted mug of root beer Landry has waiting for him."That was amazing," he sighs between gulps, wiping his foam-covered mouth with the back of his sleeve."But I’m glad that dude cut in.I don’t think I could’ve handled all those people staring at me like that.Dad, I gotta admit.I don’t know how you and Brooks do it night after night.""Well listen, we’re not out there shakin’ what our mamas gave us.If I had to do that on a daily basis, I don’t think I’d ever leave the dugout." Landry laughs, giving Jason’s curly hair a good tousle."In fact, you probably wouldn’t get Brooks anywhere near the stadium, never mind the field.""You suck that bad, huh?" Jason asks, shooting me a lopsided grin."I’d say I’m more of a slow dancer." I take another pull of my beer, thinking back to Kyle’s wedding, the one and only time I ever danced with Sasha.How small her waist was.How tiny she felt up against me.How I wanted to protect her and never let her go."I’m a pretty good slow dancer myself," Landry states as the band shifts gears.With the opening notes of Lonestar’s "Amazed," the pairs on the dance floor move closer together.With a twinkle in his eye, he asks, "May I have this dance, milady?"Landry bows dramatically in front of Julie, causing her to giggle."Since this is our wedding song, I’d kick your ass if you didn’t ask," she teases."Jason, stay with Brooks and don’t go wanderin’ off." She gives her son that no-nonsense look only mothers can give before walking hand and hand with her husband onto the dance floor."Where does she expect me to go?" Jason groans, sliding into the seat beside me."I bet you’re sorry you got stuck babysitting me tonight."I shift in my chair, angling it so that I don’t have to watch Sasha in the arms of another man.It seems that every hot-blooded Texan is lining up for a chance to dance with her.I’d like nothing more than to stride out there and let the world know that she’s mine.But I can’t."Nah, man," I respond, stretching my legs and trying to get comfortable."It’s cool.I haven’t seen you in a while.It’ll be a good chance for us to catch up."Jason throws a wary glance at the reporters who have gathered two tables away."If they didn’t crash the party, would you be sittin’ here with me or would you be out there with her?""I’d probably be right where I am now." I edge my thumbnail under the moistened label on the bottle, not wanting him to realize what a coward I’ve become."There are dozens of people in here with cameras on their phones.All it would take would be one picture, one video, and the cat’s out of the bag.After that shot someone took of us in Baltimore, I don’t think we’d be able to talk our way out of another one.""That blows because I think she’s seriously into you, man." Jason leans forward, clinking his mug against my bottle."She’s not even paying attention to whatever that guy is sayin’ to her.She just keeps looking over here
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