I shook my head and said, “We’ll see.”
Three hours later and after ten attempts to get Emma to dance with me, she finally gave in. “I Want You, I Need You, I Love You” by Elvis Presley began playing, and I walked up and took Emma’s hand in mine. I brought her out to the makeshift dance floor. She didn’t say a word, so neither did I. When the song ended, I pulled back and looked into her eyes.
She smiled slightly. “Thank you for the dance, but I really need to get back home. I have a test I need to study for.”
I closed my eyes and quickly opened them. “Emma—”
“Garrett, please. I’m not interested in dating anyone. I like you, but—”
“But what? Emma, I really like you…a lot, and I’m not going to stop asking you out until you say yes.”
Her smile faded. “Garrett, you’re wasting your time.”
She turned and walked away, and I stood there gutted—again.
Someone knocking on my window snapped me out of my memory. I looked over to see Billy standing there.
I rolled the window down. “What’s up?”
“Party down at the wall tonight. You coming?” Billy asked with a smile.
I glanced back at Emma, and she was no longer looking in my direction.
“Who’s all going?” I asked, not looking at Billy.
“Everyone! Raymond scored some alcohol.”
I looked back to Emma as Michael was reaching down, saying something in Emma’s ear. Emma nodded her head, and as he turned and walked away, she looked over toward my truck.
What game is she playing?
“Is Emma going?” I asked as I watched her get into Margie’s car.
Margie called out for Billy.
Billy glanced back and yelled, “Give me two seconds, and I’ll be right there.” He turned back and placed his hand on my shoulder. “Garrett, don’t stop fighting for her. Margie said she knows for a fact that Emma likes you.”
I gave him a weak smile. “Yeah, I don’t think so, but whatever. I’ll go tonight.”
He said, “Yes! By the way, Emma will be there.”
I started up my truck and put it in drive. “I’m sure she will. Looks like her and Michael just made plans.”
Billy took a few steps back, and I floored the gas, peeling out before making my way home.
I spent the whole night watching Emma talk to everyone but me. I ran my hand through my hair and took a drink of beer. My father was going to kill me for drinking, but I didn’t care. I needed to let loose once in a while. I had been sitting on the old rock wall, watching everyone dance and talk. I even watched some couples make out before sneaking off to probably have sex in a car or in the woods. Wall parties were rare, but when we did have them, everyone would go all out. Booze, sex, and more booze were usually involved.
Billy’s truck was pulled up and parked near the wall, and the radio was blasting so loud that it sounded as if it were right by my ear. I jumped off the rock wall and made my way over to Raymond to get another beer.
“Garrett! Man, awesome playing on the football field tonight,” Wayne called out. He was already on his way to being drunk.
“You driving, Wayne?” I asked.
He shook his head. “Nope. Anna is driving, and she knows better than to drink anything, or her daddy will take her precious car away.”
I laughed and nodded my head. I quickly looked around and saw Emma talking to Margie, Peggy, and Billy. I made my way over, and I heard “Love Me Tender” by Elvis starting to play.
“Emma, would you like to dance?” I asked, expecting her to say no.