Chapter Twenty Vaughn #2
Fuck, she’s hot. I mean, she always is, but tonight she’s on a whole other level.
Her costume is a tight, silver holographic dress that molds to her body and stops high up on her thighs.
She has on silver makeup, and her hair is slicked back from her face with a headband that has silver balls on top of it.
She’s the sexiest alien I’ve ever seen. Beam me up. Damn.
Despite wanting to see it in person, I don’t immediately get to my feet. I never really liked Halloween. Dad never let me eat candy and junk food, so the few times we went trick or treating it seemed kind of pointless.
I’ve been telling myself all day I wasn’t going tonight because I needed to stay home and keep my focus on our upcoming games, but maybe that was a lie, because the thought of walking in there and being around Lacey, feeling the way I do about her, sounds painful.
And while she did sort of invite me last night, I don’t know. Ever since I told the guys I liked her, I’ve been second-guessing myself.
The last time I dated someone, I was terrible at it. I don’t want to be terrible at it with Lacey.
I like her. Maybe she likes me. But it doesn’t change the fact that I’m shit at relationships or that this is just about the worst timing to be starting up something. I’ve never had to talk myself into staying home or focusing on soccer before.
I’m still sitting there contemplating what to do when another text comes in. I expect it to be Rowan taunting me more, but when I see Lacey’s name, I freeze.
Lacey: Greetings, earthling! Are you coming to Boone’s tonight?
She included a selfie of her holding up a peace sign, smiling at the camera. At me.
My gut twists.
I’m standing and grabbing my keys off the counter as I tap out a reply.
Me: On my way.
I don’t let myself think about anything on the drive over. As I walk into Bobby Boone’s house, I have a singular focus—find Lacey. What I’ll do after that, I have no clue.
Rowan spots me first. He appears by my side, looking even more ridiculous in person than he had in the photo he sent earlier.
“You made it,” he says, but with his fake teeth it comes out sounding sort of jumbled. He grins mischievously. “The lack of costume is disappointing, but hey, at least you’re here. Does she know you’re here yet?”
“No. I just got here.” And am seriously considering walking right back out. This feels like an epically bad idea. Lacey and I don’t make any sense. Tonight is the perfect example of that. She loves this kind of thing, and I can’t remember the last time I dressed up on Halloween.
And even worse, if I’m wrong about her liking me back, I’m going to lose my tutor and someone who has become a good friend.
“Last I saw her she was heading upstairs to the bathroom. You can’t miss her. Just look for the hottest, sparkliest girl at the party.”
I grind down on my back molars and a low sound like a growl escapes. Rowan finds this hilarious.
“Relax, Cap. I texted you, didn’t I?” He chuckles quietly. “But don’t think I’m the only one who’s noticed. She could walk out of here with any guy she wanted.”
A dozen retorts are on the tip of my tongue, including a denial that Lacey would do that.
She’s not into casual hookups. Lacey is a relationship kind of girl.
It’s the only reason she doesn’t have guys swarming her on the regular.
Though I imagine if she batted her lashes at any one of the guys at school, they’d be into whatever the hell she wanted.
She’s beautiful. She’s smart. She’s fun and bubbly. And right now, I just want her to be mine without thinking too much about anything else.
“Well, go get her,” Rowan urges me on.
I don’t move, and he places his hands on my shoulders.
“Do you need a pep talk? It feels like you need a pep talk.”
I smile despite myself. Rowan is good at getting me out of my head, but I highly doubt I’m going to find a lot of wisdom from him in this particular situation.
“Lacey is one of the coolest chicks I know, and you…” He trails off like maybe he doesn’t know how to categorize me. I try not to be offended by that.
“I feel better already,” I say dryly.
“I wasn’t done.” He glares playfully at me. “You are a good guy. You deserve to have a little fun. Be wild and spontaneous for once.”
Of course that’s his answer. Rowan is the definition of fun. He never misses a party and takes very little seriously.
His words aren’t inspirational, but I do appreciate them nonetheless.
“Thanks, man,” I tell him with a grateful nod.
“Yeah? You’re all fired up and ready to get the girl?”
It’s my turn to laugh. “Something like that.”
Giving him my back, I head toward the stairs, then take them two at a time to the second level. The line for the bathroom is all the way down the hall. I weave through people looking for Lacey. I’m all the way to the front and I still haven’t found her when a flash of silver catches my eye.
Standing next to Mark, Lacey stares up at him smiling and nodding like she’s completely enraptured with whatever he’s saying. He’s in his full hockey gear as a costume. How original.
He leans one arm on the wall above her head and peers down at her. A surge of jealousy hits me so hard it surprises me. All I can think is, mine.
I push my way to them, ignoring a few people who try to get my attention. When I’m close enough to take in her whole alien costume, Lacey’s gaze slides to me.
She does a double take, then a slow smile pulls at her lips.
Mark turns to see what’s captured her attention.
“Oh, hey man.” He gives me a chin nod and then a once-over of my outfit.
“Hey,” I say back to him without taking my eyes off Lacey. The pleased, slightly shocked expression on her face fills me with hope. She wanted me to show up tonight, and as much as this may not be my scene, I want to be wherever she is.
The three of us stand there, no one speaking until Mark clears his throat.
“Okay, I’m going to grab something to drink. Catch you later, Lacey?” he asks her, then waits for her reply.
She blinks a few times as if just remembering he’s there. She gives him her usual polite, friendly smile. “Yeah, I’ll see you later.”
Mark backs away and I don’t waste any time taking his place.
“I wasn’t sure if you were really coming,” she says.
“Me either.”
“You didn’t dress up.” She doesn’t sound or look the least bit surprised.
“And you went all out.”
“Of course. I love Halloween.” That isn’t surprising either. “What do you think?” she asks. “Out of this world?”
I finally let myself take her in. The silver dress is so tight I wonder how she’s able to breathe. Her eyes are big and outlined in silver and rhinestones. Even her shoes, some sort of silver platform boot, are sexy as hell.
Someone bumps into me from behind. I turn and glare.
The guy, a freshman, hunkers down. “Sorry.”
Dammit. I need to chill out. My adrenaline is pumping, and I just want five seconds alone with Lacey to figure out what the hell I’m going to say.
I grab Lacey’s hand and pull her with me back through the hall. My heart is racing, but we only make it about halfway before there’s nowhere to go.
I just barely resist screaming, “Move the fuck out of the way!” Instead, I spot an empty room off to the right.
I push through people, careful to keep Lacey close to me as I go, and duck into the dark room.
The curtains are pulled back and enough light from outside filters in that I can still see her.
I drop her hand and turn to face her. My heart is still sprinting in my chest.
“What are we doing?” she asks, looking around. Thank fuck it isn’t Bobby’s bedroom. It looks like an office. There’s a big wooden desk with a laptop and a leather chair tucked in behind it.
“I just want two seconds with you where people aren’t bumping into me.”
Her lips curve, and I can tell she’s fighting off a laugh. I’m sure I sound like the grumpy asshole she used to think I was. Or maybe still thinks I am.
“It is a party.”
One of the many reasons I’m not big on them.
“Well, you have me all alone now.” She reaches up and adjusts the headband, making the silver balls bobble around on top of her head. “What’s up?”
I can’t seem to answer. To speak. To think.
Lacey’s expression morphs from humored to confused as I stand three feet away, mute and gawking at her.
“Vaughn?” My name comes out like a question, but I still love the way it sounds from her lips.
With two steps, I’ve closed the distance between us. I’m either about to make an epically disastrous move or the smartest one of my life. As soon as my lips press to hers, I vote for the latter.
Lacey squeaks a surprise as she realizes I’m kissing her.
Her hands come up to my chest like she’s considering pushing me away.
I pull back enough to look in her eyes, maybe give her a chance to decide for me that this can’t happen.
My breathing is already labored from the adrenaline coursing through me.
The seconds we stare at each other, lips inches apart, seem to stretch on forever. Then Lacey’s fingers tighten around the material of my shirt, and we lunge at the same time.
My mouth slants over hers, and my hands tangle in the back of her long, thick hair. I tip her head back to give me better access, and she pulls at my shirt to get me closer.
However I might have imagined this moment, it doesn’t compare to the reality.
My entire body vibrates with desire. Lacey gives her all to everything she does, and I’m happy to find out that includes kissing.
There is no gentle or going slow for us.
I don’t know if it’s the weeks of tension finally snapping or if it’s a reflection of how badly we both want this, but we tumble over the line of friends to more, consequences be damned.