Worst of all, as the reunion wears on, most of our old classmates begin drinking too much, eager for a night away from kids and responsibilities. There’s some drunken carousing, and pretty soon, former football cheers are bellowed into the air. My twin and I join in half-heartedly only because it’d be weird if we didn’t chant with the others.
I’m doing our school’s fist pump in unison with the crowd when suddenly my movements still. My heart begins racing and every cell in my body turns to the gym entrance because an incredibly beautiful woman just entered.
Who is this girl? Her figure is full, curvy and enticing. Her brown hair is wild and curly and hangs midway down her back – the kind of hair I’d love to run my hands through. Her ass is round and juicy while her perky breasts heave up and down. She’s dressed in a form-fitting dress, which is a nice change from the khakis and sweater sets most of the moms have on.
The mystery temptress spies our principal, and shyly makes her way over to the older man. He seems to recognize her as she flashes a smile, and they begin to converse.
I elbow Rick in the arm to get his attention.
“Who is that?” I grunt, jutting my chin in the woman’s direction.
My brother takes a moment to glance and does a double-take.
“Wow. I have no idea,” he says. “Maybe she’s a teacher? I’ve definitely never seen her before.”
Shaking my head, I disagree. “For starters, teachers in Sheridan do not look like that. Besides, they only invited the teachers who taught us when we were students, and that’s like two people because they all retired. Did she graduate with us?”
Ricks stares more closely. “I don’t think so.”
I grin wickedly at my twin. “Well, tonight just got a lot better then. Let’s go introduce ourselves and find out who she is.”
Walking quickly, Rick and I make our way quickly across the gymnasium toward the woman and our former principal.
“Well, if it isn’t the Walsh brothers,” the old man greets us with a friendly Sheridan-style fist bump. “How are you fellows?”
I nod. “Good to see you, sir. I’m happy to report that Rick and I are mostly staying out of trouble.”
The principal chuckles at this comment and turns his attention to the gorgeous woman. “I’m so sorry fellows, let me introduce – ” but the beautiful brunette extends a hand quickly and introduces herself instead.
“Chrissy Stanton,” she says softly. As I look into her almond brown eyes, something seems vaguely familiar. I try to figure out what it is, but then the feeling slips away, and I smile.
“Ryder Walsh. And this is my evil twin, Rick.” My brother chuckles easily at this introduction and takes Chrissy’s hand in his own.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Chrissy,” his says huskily. I can tell from the tone of his voice that my brother finds the woman just as attractive as I do. As they launch into conversation with Principal Heard, I take the opportunity to observe her once more. Do we know her from somewhere? I don’t recognize the name Stanton and I certainly don’t recognize the stunning woman before me, but clearly, she attended Sheridan High School and she’s familiar with Principal Heard. So we must have met before, but where?
At that moment, Doug Heard chuckles.
“All right, I better let you young people have your fun. There are lots of great folks here, but I still have to monitor the punch so that no one spikes it,” the old man jokes.
“Hey, it wasn’t us sir!” my brother protests hotly, although everyone knows we did the dirty deed during junior prom. I grin mischievously and Principal Heard merely laughs.
“Well, you turned out to be successful young men nonetheless,” he offers kindly. “I’m so glad to see so many familiar faces.” Then, with a wave, he’s off and we’re left alone with Chrissy. The curvy girl turns to us and smiles shyly.
“Well it was nice to – I guess re-meet – you both,” Chrissy murmurs.
“Do you know Rodeo Ranch?” I ask, surprised by my own abruptness. Where is this coming form?
She looks puzzled, but smiles. “Sure, it’s a dive bar but it’s fun. That is, when it isn’t sleazy. I avoid it like the plague on Thursday nights,” she laughs.
My brother chuckles too.
“Well, spiked fruit punch and chanting school mottos isn’t really our thing,” I offer easily. “Want to head to Rodeo Ranch instead?”
Chrissy bites her bottom lip in thought. But then she glances around the crowded gymnasium before looking back at Rick and me, her eyes shining even in the dim light.
“Honestly, I don’t love spiked fruit punch myself. But I know a much better spot than Rodeo Ranch.”
I don’t even wait to hear what it is. Instead, I semi-bow with a grin.