“No!”
“Drop down!” He pushed hard on my shoulder until I dropped down into a crouched position on the floor. Pissed, I immediately went to stand up…at the same time he swung his leg over my head. His right foot connected with the left side of my face, causing me to fall back down and list sideways. Unfazed, he yanked on my arms, and I slid on my back between his legs…the whole time vaguely aware that my dress was inching up my thighs in a dangerous way.
I lay there, on my back, in the middle of the dance floor, too hurt to even reach down and push my dress into place. Thank goodness I’d worn my sexy red underwear.
“Monica!” Mom gasped as she knelt down beside me. “Are you okay?”
“Pull her dress down,” Gilda snapped. “I think I just saw a camera flash.”
“It was me,” Mimi said, holding up her phone. “I figured she’d want this for her most embarrassing moments collection.”
I let out another strangled cry.
“Let me see.”
Jacob!
I opened my eyes as he gently sat me up. The pain was powerful and intense. Wincing, he brushed my hair off my face. “That’s gonna leave a bruise.”
“I told you what to do, Monica,” Robert said. “All you had to do was follow my directions.”
Jacob’s nostrils flared, and I saw the flash of anger. Not wanting the two to get into a physical altercation in the middle of the senior center dance floor, I gently laid my hand on Jacob’s arm.
“I’m okay,” I said. “Just help me up.”
He leaned over and scooped me in his arms. While I was thrilled to be there, I was also embarrassed. It was bad enough everyone probably saw my underwear, I didn’t need them to think I was an invalid who couldn’t walk.
“Put me down,” I hissed.
Ignoring me, Jacob marched to our table. I looked over my shoulder and smiled as Mom and the girls followed close behind, Robert bringing up the rear.
“Stay right here,” Jacob said. “I’ll be right back to take you home.”
“No!” I cried.
“I brought her,” Robert said, “and I’ll be taking her home.”
I laid my hand on Jacob’s arm. “You can’t leave your date here. You came with someone else.”
“We’ll take your date home,” Mimi said.
“Yeah,” Ingrid added. “I’m dying to get to know her. She looks like she could crush a man’s skull with her bare hands.”
We all winced at her words.
Jacob motioned for Bodybuilder Barbie, who’d been talking to Sheriff Cryer and the boys. With a wave goodbye, she sauntered over our way.
“I’m sorry to do this,” Jacob said, “but Monica has been injured. I need to get her back home.”
“No problem, Rush,” she said. “I’m sure I can find a way home.”
Rush?
“We’ll take you home,” Mimi said. “After all, you’re here because we asked.”
Bodybuilder Barbie slapped Mimi on the shoulder, sending the old woman stumbling forward. “And I’m right glad you did.”
“Tell me,” Ingrid said, “have you ever had occasion to use a Saxe before?”
