33. Chapter 33
Chapter 33
Sloane
B y the time we get back from the concert, I am so ready to spend some quality time alone with Ky, and I've thought about how to make that happen on the drive back. After we get Joey and Kris settled in the family room, I grab a blanket and take Ky out the French doors to the screened porch.
My parents have wicker outdoor furniture out there, and while it's not the most comfortable, it'll do. The wicker sofa faces the French doors, and we sit on it and cuddle under the blanket on this chilly night.
I snuggle up under Ky's arm, and it just feels so nice. "I could sit like this all night."
Ky sighs blissfully. "Me, too, Babe."
I feel myself stiffen at that last word and sit up to face Ky. “Can you call me Sweetheart or something else?” I ask nicely and feel bad when I see disappointment cloud his eyes.
“Yeah, I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you didn’t like it,” Ky says looking like a sad puppy.
I place my hand on his chest. “It’s okay,” I peck his lips. “It’s just not my favorite word.” I give him a kiss that should erase any feelings of disappointment.
He smiles at me when I pull back. “How about Beautiful?” He runs a finger along my cheekbone that sends a shiver through me.
I return his smile. “That works.” I peck him on the mouth then snuggle back under his arm, resting my head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat.
I start thinking about what Kris said at dinner, that the girls throw themselves at Ky and realize how hard it is to date someone long-distance. You miss out on truly knowing them in their day-to-day lives. Of course, I get a weird vibe from Kris and don't know if she's trying to mess with me, or what.
I sit up and look at Ky. "What's the deal with Kris?" I whisper. "I felt like she was trying to keep me out of the conversations all night by talking about people I don't know and inside jokes and stuff."
"That's just Kris," Ky says quietly.
I feel my eyes narrow. "So, she's like that with everyone?"
Ky shifts in his seat and sighs. "I mean, no." He pauses. "I think she might be intimidated by you."
"What? That's crazy."
"She knows how much I like you, and now that she's met you, she sees how beautiful you are." He clasps my hand.
"But if you two are friends, why would I intimidate her? Did you two date?" I feel uneasy now.
Ky's face grows serious, and he looks down. "No, we never dated."
"But?" I ask as dread fills my belly.
He looks at me with wide eyes. "But, nothing. We've never dated."
I can't tell if he's being defensive or just honestly surprised at the thought, either way, it unnerves me and by the look in his eyes, I think he can tell.
"Do you think she likes you more than a friend?"
Ky shakes his head. "I think she's just being protective of me." I must not look convinced because Ky lifts my chin with his fingers so I'm looking in his eyes instead of at the fingernail I'm picking. "Hey, she's my friend, you're my girlfriend. I'm crazy about you." His smile is sincere and his eyes are sparkling.
"Even if she's all curvy and I'm…not?" I'm so self-conscious about my figure and it's multiplied by a thousand when a boy is involved. I hardly feel womanly.
"Yes," He's still smiling. "You are beautiful, inside and out. Plus, you're super cool. I promise, you have nothing to worry about."
Ky's words fill me with relief and I lean in to kiss him. After a spine-tingling kiss, I lean back and the wicker sofa creaks underneath me. "I've been wanting to ask you something."
"Sure," he says with sleepy eyes and a sweet smile.
I start to fidget with my fingernail again. "So…I wondered if you want to go to my prom with me." I continue before he can answer. "I've never been asked to a school dance and decided that before I graduate, I would go to one, and well, I didn't get asked to Homecoming, didn't ask anyone to Snowball, so that leaves prom." I look at him expectantly and try to catch my breath after getting all of that out at once.
"I have two questions," Ky says with a serious look on his face.
"Okay, but first…" I lean in and kiss him. I sit back and smile, "Okay, shoot."
His eyes bore into mine. "Was that to try and butter me up?" He asks, his voice husky and a bit breathless.
I smile then shrug, "Maybe."
He chuckles at me. "What is Snowball?"
This makes me laugh. "Oh, it's like the Sadie Hawkins dance where the girls ask the boys."
“Why didn't you ask someone?"
"Is that your second question?" I smile.
Ky chuckles again. "No, my second question is," He moves closer to me, our faces nearly touching. His voice is low when he asks, "Who are these boys at your school and how has no one asked you to any dances?" He leans in and kisses me tenderly.
When he moves back, I bite my lower lip then shrug my shoulders. "I don't know. I just assume it's because I'm not the curviest girl, I'm taller than most guys, and I'm not going to put out. Since I'm not a partier, I'm sure most people think I'm a prude."
Ky laughs then cradles my face in his right hand. "You are most certainly not a prude, and not all guys want girls that look like they work at Hooters." He kisses me, then asks, "Do you think maybe these guys are intimidated by you?"
I smirk and shake my head. "No. I'm like the least intimidating person."
"With the body of a super model," Ky says as he rubs my arms. "I bet you intimidate some of them."
"Really?" I ask as I cock my head because this sounds like the last thing I would imagine. "But I didn't intimidate you."
He smiles at me. "Oh, yes you did." He brushes my hair off my shoulder, exposing my neck. "But I figured the worst thing you could do was turn me down, and I'd likely never see you again." He leans down and kisses my neck sending blissful shivers down my spine. Then, he leans up as his eyes scan my face. "I decided to take a chance," he says with a satisfied grin.
"Well, I'm glad you did," I lean in and kiss him.
After a moment, he slides back and narrows his eyes. "Seriously, though, why didn't you ask anyone to that Snowball dance?"
"The guy I was going to ask got asked by someone else first," I say as a matter of fact.
"And you didn't want to ask someone else?"
I shrug. "No. Not enough to risk embarrassment if I got turned down."
Ky smiles, "See, now you know how guys feel."
I return his smile. "Yeah, it's pretty terrifying."
"You could have asked a guy who's just a friend. You know, just gone as friends."
I think about it. "Yeah, I guess I could have, but I want to go to a dance with someone who wants to be there with me as more than just a friend." I move closely to him, inches from his face. "Someone who I can dance closely with and do this with…" I lean forward and kiss him.
He smiles as I sit back. "So, Ky Carter, will you go to prom with me?"
He pretends like he's thinking hard about this as his brow furrows. "Let's see," he says. "What day is it?"
"May 22nd," I say, and before he can answer, I add, "And, 99X has a concert at Stone Mountain that afternoon. The Lemonheads are playing." I say with an eager smile. "We could go to the concert, then prom." I bounce a little as I say this, making him laugh.
He chuckles at me. "Aren't you going to see them in April?"
"Yeah, but why not see them twice in two months?" I smile at him encouragingly. "Urge Overkill and Ned's Atomic Dustbin are playing too."
Ky takes my hand. "Sloane Warren, I would love to take you to your prom…after the concert, of course."
I throw my arms around him and hug him tightly. "Thank you," I whisper, then give him kisses on his ear and neck. I lean back, "So was it Urge Overkill that did it for you?" I joke.
"No, Ned's Atomic Dustbin." He laughs and wraps his arms around me. "Just kidding," he says as his face grows serious. "I want to be there for you, because you asked me."
"Really?"
He nods. "I wouldn't miss it for the world, Beautiful."
My insides warm at his sweetness and I kiss Ky. I can't believe that I'm actually going to get to go to my senior prom!