Uprising: A Collide Novel Part 28

This whole week I've worked in the garden or at the diner. Trying to keep busy and stay away from Sherry as much as possible. I've barely seen a single soul all week except Lillian. We talked about a lot. She told me about how much trouble they've had trying to find a place to stay. She told me some about her husband. I felt pretty good about her. She seemed to be pretty happy to see me most days.

But then, Miguel danced with her one night as Paul had cranked up the record player and she seemed pretty happy then too.

He's into her. I can tell. She laughed and smiled but she does with me too. I don't know what to think. She seems mostly oblivious to us all and all our affections. Just genuinely sweet.

And now, Mitch.e.l.l is waiting at the stairs with me. Waiting for Lillian. Ugh. I can see it all over his smug Keeper face. Merrick, Jeff and Simon are here with me as well. Merrick spouting pointers but I can't seem to focus tonight. I'm trying but too worked up. Too edgy.

Then we see Sherry, then Celeste, then Lillian.

Holy canoly.

Lillian is a vision in jeans and a blue top that matches her eyes. We knew the girls were getting her ready. She had to look nice and look like she dressed up so they've been scrounging for nice clothes and makeup and such to see what they could put together. And boy, did they put something together. She's hot.

"Wow." I hear Mitch.e.l.l mutter and I want to punch him for stealing my line.

"Yeah, wow," I say thinking how ordinary I look in jeans and a black sweater.

Lame.

"Thanks. Celeste had something I could wear so..."

"She does look amazing," Celeste said, boasting her own skills I'm sure.

"Well, you ready? Let's get this thing on the road," I ask, holding out my hand.

I'm glad they left her hair down with big curls at the ends. I love long hair, especially the hair I helped to save, down and swinging when they turn their heads, ya know. Especially when they're dancing, which I plan to do tonight. For research purposes, of course.

"Yes. Let's. We have everything?" she said and took my hand and I realized she was shaking a little. "Nothing else we should remember?" she said, looking around to everyone standing around us.

"Just don't talk too long to any one person. It would give you a better chance to say too much or the wrong thing if you did. Also, don't think about the bunker remember? Don't think about us," Jeff advised.

"And don't leave each other's side. That way, you won't have to worry about what the other has said to someone else. Plus, it's just safer to stay together." Merrick turned to look at me. "Don't let anyone else dance with her if you can help it. Even if she goes to the bathroom, Cain, walk her to the door. Got it?" Merrick stared at me for confirmation.

"Got it," I said, I realized I was still holding Lillian's shaking hand so I squeezed it to soothe her.

I had to fight a smile when she squeezed back.

"And don't leave too early. You have to seem like you want to be there. Drink, dance, have fun, do whatever everyone else is doing, but remember to look around and listen while you're doing it," Simon, my Keeper, chimed in. "And be cautious, Cain. Stay safe."

"No problem."

"And if they have flyers or material, make sure you take some," Mitch.e.l.l said and I nodded to him. Then he stepped closer to Lillian and framed her pale face with his tan hands, the contrast shocking. "Please, be careful," he said softly and I thought he might kiss her, right there in front of all of us, but he reluctantly released her and stepped back.

"We will. I promise," Lillian said and I liked how she said 'we'.

I started to tug her towards the stairs and shouted down to them as we walked out.

"We'll be back by 2:00 a.m. Have fun, kids."

"Be careful, Cain," Sherry yelled, and I couldn't stop myself.

I turned to smile at her as I shut the trap door behind me.

I put Lillian in the pa.s.senger seat of my truck, climbed in the driver side and clicked on my seat belt. The radio blared when I cranked the truck and I fumbled to turn it down quickly. It was my Incubus c.d. and the song was 'Anna Molly'.

"Sorry," I muttered.

"It's ok. I like Incubus."

"Really?" I said, surprised that she knew who they were. "How old are you?"

"Twenty one."

This shocked me a little.

"Really?"

"Yeah. Why so shocked?" she said but looked amused.

"Uh, you just seem older, I guess. And you were married so, I just thought you were...older," I tried to explain as I pulled out onto the highway.

"I got married young. I'm a homemaker and somewhat of a homebody as well I'm afraid. I never was interested in the party scene. Tonight, you'll have to coax me into remembering this is supposed to be dancing and looking like we're having fun."

"We will have fun. No coaxing or intervention needed. I promise."

"Huh," she said and covered his lips with her fingertips to stifle a laugh. "You're sure about this?"

"Yes. Why?" I kept glancing at her sideways as I drove.

"I just don't know you that well and you don't know me. What if I hated dancing? What if I hated music? What would you do with me then?"

If my ears aren't deceiving me...it sounds like she's flirting with me.

"Let me worry about that. I promise you'll have fun, no matter what. I'll make it my mission, ya know, besides our other mission."

She laughed out loud which made me smile and commit the sound to memory.

"Ok. I place myself in your capable hands."

Ooooh. She's killing me.

I was pleasantly surprised to feel that inkling of ache I experience whenever I leave the bunker, leave Sherry, slowly drift to a dull pound.

Once we arrived, I parked and went to her side of the truck. I could hear the thump of the ba.s.s from the club but couldn't make out the song. She was applying lip gloss in the mirror when I opened the door.

"Thanks," she said and took the hand I offered her to help her out of the truck. "I haven't had to get dressed up to go somewhere in a very long time. I feel kinda strange."

"Well, you look awesome." I winced at my words. "I mean, you look very pretty."

"Thanks," she said shyly and tucked hair behind her ear.

"So...rule number one of a night on the town. Smile. Don't stop smiling."

"Smile. Got it," she said smiling and I was happy she was playing along.

"Rule number two. We listen to the Keepers advice. No dancing with anyone but me and you have to dance every time I ask you to. I hope you're wearing good shoes."

She chuckled and scoffed.

"I don't remember them saying I had to dance every time you commanded it."

"Oh. I guess you just weren't paying attention," I jested. "Rule number three. If you're not having fun, tell me and I'll fix it."

"How?"

"I'll think of something. I'm pretty crafty."

She grinned and nodded her head.

"Ok. Those rules sound reasonable enough. Do I get any rules of my own?"

"Sure."

"First. If you're not having fun, tell me and I'll..." She shrugged. "I'm not sure, but I'll try my best."

"Ok," I said with a grin.

"Second, I don't care if you drink but please don't get drunk," she said and looked like she thought I was gonna bite her head off.

"I never do. Not my style anymore. Anything else?"

"Third, don't do anything crazy, like, dance on the bar and make me have to hurt you in front of everyone."

I laughed out loud.

"I'd almost like to see you try."

She laughed too and pushed my arm playfully.

"Oh! Don't test me, Cain! I am vicious when it comes to public humiliation."

"Ok! Ok. I promise no table dances. Is there more?"

"Last..." She took a deep breath. "Don't think about Sherry," she said softly.

I felt all my breath leave me.

"What?" I breathed.

"You don't think about Sherry and I won't think about Mitch.e.l.l or Michael."

I tried to gauge my tone and words carefully.

"Why do you think I'd think about Sherry?"

"I've seen the way you look at her and the way you try not to. If I'm wrong I'm sorry, but I don't think I am."

"You're not," I admitted quietly.

No point in lying when she flat called me out on it. She stopped me with a hand on my arm.

"I'm not judging you, Cain. I just want to have fun tonight, completely let go, with no obligations or guilt or awkwardness. Even though I don't know you that well, I've had a lot of fun with you this week. Let's just pretend, that we're really good friends who've done this tons of times together. I know I'm being extremely forward but... I need this night out so bad." She sounded on the verge of tears. "I need to not have to think for just a little while. I can't take living like we have been, so scared all the time and looking over my shoulder. Please, Cain. Let's both just forget our problems and have fun, for the one night we have to just be normal again." She paused and looked embarra.s.sed. "I'm sorry. I'm not usually so-"

What could I say? I felt the same way.

"Yes," I interrupted her. "You're right, I need this too. I promised you a good time and I meant it. Ready to get to it, friend?" I offered her my hand.

She smiled gratefully and took it.

"Absolutely."

We finished the distance through the parking lot, which was packed, and then we reached the doorman.

"Marks," was all he said and I turned to show him behind my ears, which he smeared and rubbed with his thumb to make sure it wasn't covered up. Then Lillian lifted her hair and he did the same to her. "Ok. Cover is $10.00 for both."

I paid him then held the door open as Lillian entered the club.

A waft of smoke and the smell of beer and sweaty dance floor bombarded us as I took the lead and pulled her behind me with her soft warm long fingers in mine. I have a thing with hands. I'm a hand and hair man.

"Do you want a beer or something?" I asked when we stopped at the bar and I pulled her close to speak into her ear.

The music was so loud, I doubted she could hear me but she answered me.

"Um, whatever you're having."

I heard the tone. I've dated enough in my day to know it.

"You've never had a beer before have you?" I asked.

"No," she admitted and started to look embarra.s.sed. Then she perked up and smiled brightly at me. "I mean yes. Lots of times, Cain. You know this. You know everything about me! Now get me my usual and stop playing around. I'm ready to dance!" she yelled and at first I was baffled, then I remembered our agreement in the parking lot.

The agreement about pretending to be old, good friends who partied together often and were completely cool with each other and ready to have fun.

"I was just making sure you were paying attention," I said winking at her and then tapped the bar to call the bartender. "Two lime and tonics, please."

"Coming up." He made them with astonishing quickness and pushed them forward on the bar for me to catch them. "That'll be $6.00. No tab tonight."

"That's fine. Here you go."