Chapter 12
TWELVE
AINSLEY
We pull up to my building, I have never jumped out of a vehicle so fast. Who the fuck do these two think they are? Annoying—that’s what they are. I am so embarrassed for the scene they caused. “Date’s over…” Jackson and I didn't label that a date. I’m not looking for a boyfriend right now, but he's nice and I do enjoy spending time with him.
Morgan knows I'm pissed, so he gives me a half-assed wave goodbye. I see Ace try to get out of his car, but I refuse to have another conversation with him. So I do what any mad-as-hell girl would do: I flip him off and jog to the door of my dorm to hopefully stop him from following me.
As I enter my room, I notice that Cass isn’t back yet. I guess the date must be going well. Today's events replay in my head. Morgan and Ace obviously have a major stick in their ass when it comes to Jackson. I don’t understand why. They are just as much—if not worse—fuckboys than Jackson, so they have no room to judge him. So what if it turns out Jackson is exactly who they say he is? Then we can be friends and nothing more. I'm not this stupid, na?ve girl they think I am, and I am more than capable of taking care of myself.
Pacing the room back and forth, I kick off my Chucks and think back to the heated encounter with Ace. Did he say he would spank me? What the fuck?
I don’t have words for what he said to me and how he was saying it. I should be furious—and I am. But why was I also getting turned on? No one has ever spoken to me like that. The way his jaw ticked and the low tone of his commanding voice should turn me off, not do the complete opposite. I'm ashamed to say I wasn’t pushing him away. If anything, I was leaning into his pull.
My reaction to his crass words surprised me. I’m not used to getting a tingling sensation between my legs every time I am close to someone. Even when I thought I was in love with Ace, it was all an innocent young girl crush. Now I have these feelings that make me think maybe Ace spanking me would be hot. I won't lie, our recent angst-filled fights cause a lot of heat. Only it goes nowhere, because he remembers I am Morgan’s little sister, and I remember he is a giant asshole.
After I change into something more comfortable, I curl into my bed under the covers, needing a nap. I swear, every day since I got to school has been a shitshow. Except for the night I hung out with Jackson—that was easy and comfortable. Holding my phone up, I decide to ask Jackson if the dreaded charity ball I’m being forced into is the same one he is being forced into.
Me
Hey I’m really sorry about lunch today…
Jackson
Yea that was intense. Your brother really knows how to pose a threat.
Me
Oh God, I’m so embarrassed…again, really sorry.
Jackson
It’s okay, really. He is your brother and overprotective. I don’t have the best reputation when it comes to dating someone, so it makes sense he's apprehensive toward me.
Me
So I have a question…That charity ball you and that girl from the pizza restaurant were talking about…I think I might be going to the same one.
Jackson
That’s great! Now it won’t be the worst event of the year, because you will be there.
Why do you have to go? I've never seen you at one before.
Me
Normally I wouldn’t have to go, but our parents aren’t able to make it and asked us to go in their place. I hate those events.
Jackson
I do too, and hate the forced date I have to bring. I would much rather go with you, but our fathers are business partners and my dad forces me to take her every year.
Me
I would rather go with you too. I’m stuck going with my brother and Ace. Cass will be with me, but just as miserable…she has this weird conflict with my brother that she never talks about.
Jackson
Well I’ll see you there! The rest of my week is slammed with classes and practice. Save me a dance?
Me
Oh, you brave soul…you may get another verbal bashing from my brother.
Jackson
I can handle it.
I don’t respond to his last text. While I would love to see Jackson and dance with him again, I know it will be more drama from Ace and my brother.
I text Cassie to let her know I’m home from school. Her reply comes right away, letting me know she'll be home soon, and asks if it’s true that we are required to attend the charity event. I text yes, and that we need to go dress shopping before Friday. All she responds with is a thumbs up emoji and she loves me. My eyes flutter closed, falling into a deep sleep.
* * *
The week goes by quickly. It's Thursday, the only day Cassie and I could make it work to go shopping together. We cut it pretty close, and I'm hoping we can find something to wear for the gala in such a short amount of time.
Walking into a boutique that looks like it carries nothing but fancy dresses, I groan. I probably won’t find a dress that is elegant, but still me.
“Come on AC, give it a chance. You never know, you could find the perfect dress here. Grams made the appointment, so we should be getting special treatment.” Cass fans her hands in the air like British royalty. I laugh, knowing she is exaggerating. In reality, she detests wealth and what it turns people into. I always tell her that her family is the exception. They are the most kind-hearted souls I have ever known.
Once Cassie gives our names, both attendants smile widely, knowing whatever we want is going on a black card that has no limit. They knew our sizes ahead of time—thanks to Grams—so the ladies have two racks of dresses waiting for us to look at. To my surprise, the rack for me is filled with dresses that are shades of black, maroon, and navy blue. Cassie’s rack has similar dresses, but with lighter shades. Her dresses are colors like dusty rose, forest green, and an eggshell blue color. Honestly, Grams knows us so well. My disdain turns into excitement as I realize I won't be trying on bright-colored prom dresses.
After trying on a ton of dresses, we each find the perfect one. We decided to wear a more daring look—they are still tasteful, but more on the risqué side. I know Ace and Morgan will have a field day over them, and probably lecture us on dressing inappropriately, but oh well. They can save their unwanted opinions, Grams approved.
Cassie’s dress is a floor-length mint green mermaid-cut dress that has thin straps, V-neckline, and a darted bodice. The material isn’t satin, but just as soft. The front is simple and elegant—it’s the back that makes it so bold. By back, I mean there is no back. The material is cut to just the top of her booty, and damn, it looks so good on her. She pairs the dress with gold leather four-inch strappy sandals. The red bottoms, by some guy named Christian, make them almost a thousand dollars. She looks amazing in the dress and heels, so why not?
My dress is obviously black. I decided to go with a floor-length dress as well, with small cap sleeves that drape over my shoulder like Belle’s gold dress from Beauty and the Beast. It’s an A-line, and the first layer is satin, the top layer tulle. The dress is nowhere near simple: the slit starts at the top of my thigh, and there’s a deep V-neck that would make the devil himself clench his cheeks. I pair it with four-inch black glitter open-toed pumps. I wasn’t trying to get the red bottoms, but Cass insisted that if she has to barf while spending almost a thousand dollars on shoes, then she is buying me a pair, too. I'm really excited for Jackson to see me in this dress, but am I wrong for also wanting Ace's reaction?
“What are you zoning out about? Hm?” Cassie gives me a sly wink as she hands over her black card to the salesgirl. I have my own credit card, but when we shop like this, which is rare, she refuses to let me pay. My parents are wealthy, but not the status of the Sinclairs. They are like the Rockefellers of Idaho.
“Oh, nothing. I told you Jackson is going to be at the event, and he's being forced to go with Tetherball Barbie. He told me he's excited to see me and asked me to save him a dance, which is sweet.” I smile at her, thinking about how nice he is.
“That great…so what’s the problem? You look conflicted.”
“Thinking back to what happened the other day at the burger restaurant and how crazy Morgan and Ace were, I’m sure if I dance with him, it won’t go over well. I get he has a bad reputation and I'm not trying to sound na?ve, but I feel like he's different with me. I don’t want the boys to run him off…ya know?” She nods in understanding. The boys are insanely overprotective, and Ace’s overprotection is on steroids lately.
“I get it and will run interference as best I can, no matter how much disdain I have toward your brother at the moment. But I meant what I said about Ace, AC. He is not just overprotective, he's jealous. You are something he feels he can't have, because of your idiot brother. I agree, Morgan wouldn't be cool with the idea of you and him, but that’s something he needs to get over.” She looks off to the side, fidgeting as if there is something else she needs to tell me, but stops herself. I know deep in my soul something happened between her and Morgan, but if she isn’t ready to tell me, then I'll accept it. Now if I was Jordan, I would push and push until she finally caved, but that is not mine and Cass’s friendship, so I leave it alone.
It’s dark outside by the time the Uber drops us off in front of our dorm, and we head upstairs with our dresses and bags of shoes and accessories. I hope to get some sleep tonight, but with my constant thoughts of how tomorrow night will go, I don’t see that happening.