Exposed - Chapter 34
Friday
Brooklyn
I was used to living in isolation with Miller.
It felt odd to be in a room so full of other people.
And also so normal at the same time. I still barely knew any of these women, but they already felt like family.
And it was silly but…I could picture doing this all again soon. But for a wedding instead of prom.
I touched the center of my chest and felt Miller’s rings.
“What are you doing over here all by yourself?” Kennedy asked and sat down next to me.
I laughed. “I didn’t realize I was being weird.
” But I guess I probably was. I wanted to join in on the conversation.
Instead I’d found myself slipping away to the side to observe.
I was uneasy tonight. But it had nothing to do with Matt’s friends.
It was because my father kept texting me.
And every time I thought about him I felt…
scared. Scared for myself. Scared for my son.
It felt like I was back in high school all over again.
Especially since we were getting ready for a dance.
“Seriously, are you okay?” Kennedy asked. “You look a little pale.”
“Don’t tell Justin that. He’ll think you’re insulting his makeup skills.”
She laughed. “But really, Brooklyn. If there’s anything you need to talk about…you know I’m here. I don’t want this to be weird between us because of the Matt thing.”
“It’s nothing to do with that, I promise. I just…” my voice trailed off as I took a deep breath. “The last time I went to a dance, Isabella kidnapped me and tried to kill you.”
“Luckily she’s dead.”
“Yeah, but my dad’s still alive. And I have this really uneasy feeling in my stomach.”
“Club Onyx is a secret club. No one’s getting in without an invite.”
“Well, that’s good to know.” But it didn’t make my stomach settle.
I stared at Justin and Bee laughing about something.
I wanted to be that carefree. I just wasn’t sure I knew how.
“I’ve never told anyone this but…whenever everything seems to be going well, it never feels permanent to me.
” I touched the center of my chest again.
“There always comes a point when I start to hear this clock ticking down in my head. Like I know I’m running out of time.
” I started blinking fast. “And I started hearing it in my head this morning.”
“Hey.” Kennedy grabbed my hand and squeezed it. “Nothing bad is going to happen tonight.”
“I know but…I’ve never been wrong. I heard it before my mom died. And Uncle Jim. God and I felt it at the lake house.” I closed my eyes, begging the tears not to fall. “I felt it and we stayed and…”
“Well your clock is wrong,” Kennedy said. “You only just got back. And I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”
I laughed. “Are you hiding a gun somewhere in your camera bag?”
“No, but maybe I should get one.” She smiled. “Really, everything’s going to be fine. And if you think Matt is going to lose you again, you’re crazy. I’m surprised he even let you out of his sight for this long.”
I laughed. “You don’t think we’re moving too fast?”
“Matt has been in love with you for 16 years. If anything, you’re moving incredibly slowly. I’m surprised you’re not already married and pregnant again.”
I nodded. I hadn’t told Kennedy about my fertility issues.
And now I was just hoping I was wrong about all of it.
Maybe Matt did have access to better doctors.
Maybe he could make our dreams come true after all.
But my hope was shrouded by the sound of the ticking in my head. I tried to push away the thought.
“And what about you?” I asked.
“What about me?” Kennedy grabbed her camera and took a photo of everyone getting ready.
“How are things going with Felix?”
She tried to hide her blush by staring down at her screen. But she wasn’t hiding anything.
“Things are great with Felix,” she said. “He was only supposed to be in the city for a few days, but he extended his trip indefinitely. So we could spend more time together.”
“That’s great.”
“Yeah. I think maybe he’d been avoiding the city just like I was. But now that you’re back…it feels weird that we weren’t all here the whole time.”
“Maybe he’ll move back too.”
She smiled. “I’ve actually been looking for my own place. Felix tagged along on my real estate hunt yesterday. We were kind of just joking around about the apartments being too small…but…I think maybe we might find something bigger together. Maybe. I don’t want to jinx it.”
I couldn’t help it, I squealed.
“Don’t jinx it,” Kennedy said with a laugh.
I didn’t think it was possible to jinx it. I’d known Kennedy and Felix belonged together back in high school. Nothing had changed.
“Ah, Hailey! You’re finally here!” Penny said and hurried over to the woman who’d just walked in.
Hailey gave her a hug. “Happy birthday!”
“Yeah, yeah, whatever. I want you to meet some people.” Penny grabbed Hailey’s hand and pulled her over to me. “Hailey, this is Brooklyn and Kennedy. Guys, this is Hailey. Axel’s mom.”
“Oh, hi.” I gave her a quick hug. “I’m pretty sure Axel is Jacob’s new best friend.”
Hailey laughed. “I think Axel’s equally excited to be hanging out with someone who likes football instead of Barbies. Although he does have the biggest crush on Scarlett.”
“It drives James nuts,” Penny said with a laugh. “But it’s so cute. Scarlett insists that Axel is her boyfriend.”
I laughed. “I think Jacob has a crush on her too.” One of his favorite things was asking if he could hang out with Scarlett.
“Uh oh,” Kennedy said. “Not another love triangle.”
Hailey smiled. “Luckily they’re just kids. We’re a long way from that. But it is really fun to poke James about it.”
I laughed. I could definitely picture James being an overprotective father.
There was another knock on the door.
“Let me go get it,” Penny said and hurried off.
“I like your hideout spot over here,” Hailey said as she grabbed a drink off a discarded tray.
“We’re not exactly hiding out,” I said.
Hailey laughed. “Trust me, I get it. This is all a lot. It took me a while to get used to this city, let alone the huge friend group that comes with it. I lived in the middle of nowhere growing up and worked more than I ever hung out with friends.”
“I knew I liked you,” Kennedy said.
I smiled. I was thinking the same thing. “So you’re not from NYC?”
Hailey shook her head. “No, I lived in a very small, quiet town. I thought I’d live my whole life there.
But I’ll be honest, I’d follow my husband to the ends of the earth.
This was where he wanted to be. It was a big change.
And I don’t think I ever would have adjusted if it wasn’t for these girls.
” She pointed over her shoulder. “You can’t ask for better friends.
So as much fun as it is to hide out over here…
you guys need to come with me.” She grabbed my hand to pull me along with her.
Not that I was going to protest. I knew Hailey was right. I couldn’t imagine a group of people more welcoming.
“Tanner’s finally here with our dresses!” Penny said. I looked over to see Tanner directing several women who were pushing racks of dresses. There were way more dresses than required. But I was excited that there were some options.
Penny had let me know that Tanner was sending us all dresses.
It was way too much. But he’d insisted it was his birthday present to her and his present to me for my “big night.” I had no idea what he was talking about.
This was a pretty big night for everyone.
Prom only happened once. Or twice for some people attending, I guess.
Tanner quickly said hello to everyone and then made a beeline over to me. “You ready for your big night, gorgeous?”
I laughed. “Are you?”
“It’s not my big night. It’s all yours. Well, a little for Penny. But it’s more about you, and Penny’s fine with that.”
Okay… “Well, you look great.” He did. He was already in his tuxedo. It was a dark blue with some kind of finish that made it a little shimmery in the light. But I’d hardly classify it as eccentric. It just looked good on him. Was this what he’d been talking about when he’d mentioned his fun suits?
“Thanks, but you really gotta stop hitting on me. Matt gets a little jealous about these things, and I do worry our friendship will be on the rocks if you keep ogling me.”
I laughed. “I’m not hitting on you, Tanner.”
“It’s fine, most people do.”
“I’m in love with Matt.”
He put his hands on my shoulders. “Splendid.” He squinted his eyes at me like he was trying to read my mind or something. “But really…are you good? Do you need to talk about anything at all? I’m here if you do.”
It was almost like he could hear the clock ticking down in my head. I shoved the thought aside. “I’m good, Tanner.”
“Good. That’s great! I just want to make sure tonight goes perfectly, and there’s already been a few hiccups at the venue. And this is all riding on me for some reason despite the fact that I’ve never even thrown a modern day promenade.”
I’d never actually heard anyone call the prom a promenade before. I didn’t even realize prom was short for something. “I’m sure it’s going to be great.”
“It will be. I called my animal guy after the hiccup. He’s handling it.”
An animal guy? And handling what exactly? “There’s going to be animals there?”
“It’s a promenade, Brooklyn.” He laughed like I was the one being silly. “Now get naked and let’s try on these dresses.” He unzipped the first garment bag.
“Oh, I’ve got it, Tanner.”
“I told you, I’m good at this.” He turned around and saw that I was still completely dressed. “Brooklyn, we only have an hour before your limo comes.” He reached behind me and somehow unhinged my bra through my shirt.
I grabbed my chest to keep my bra in place. “You’re good at finding the perfect dress for customers? Or you’re good at undressing women?”
“Both, honestly.”