Chapter 64
“Damn I look good.” Silas is staring at himself in the full length mirror next to my closet door. He’s got his hands on the collar of his champagne gold vest and he’s turning side to side admiring himself.
I roll my eyes as I straighten my gold champagne tie. I shove him out of the way and run my hands over my hair to make sure no strands are out of place.
“Rude.” Silas grumbles as he goes to relax against the door frame.
“Have either of you seen the dress?” Archer asks. He’s rolling up his sleeves to his elbows. Classic Archer style. The top two buttons are undone on his dress shirt and it’s untucked. He makes sure to keep his cuffs above the roll, the inside of them match my tie and Silas’ vest.
Archer and I went for subtle matching. Silas tried to go all out. He was going to wear matching dress pants as well. We said absolutely not. The spotlight should be on Liv, not us.
“No,” I answer him. “You?” I look to Silas. He shakes his head.
“It’ll be gorgeous either way. I’m sure of it.” Archer responds. He smooths his shirt and holds his arms away from his sides and does a turn. “Clean up nice huh?” He jokes.
“You guys are full of yourselves.” I laugh at them. “Let’s go see if the girls are ready.” I tell them as I head for the door. I cannot wait to see our girl.
We attempt to stop in at Morella's room but the door is locked and the girls yell to go away.
“Good god.” I sigh. “I guess let’s wait downstairs.
We all take up spots on the couch in the living room that is adjacent to the bottom of the stairs and front door. It seems to take the girls forever before we hear the distinct sounds of heels clicking on the hard wood.
All three of us jump up and move over to the bottom landing straightening our jackets, shirts, or fiddling with nothing. I’m so nervous to see what she looks like. Now that I don’t need to hide how I feel, I can take it all in and admire her the way she deserves.
And holy shit is she magnificent.
My jaw hangs, and I’m not the only one. Liv is perfection.
She stops on the landing just above us and smiles softly.
She’s nervous but I can’t figure out why.
Her dress hugs every perfect curve. The sequins glitter and sparkle, just like her eyes.
The dress is long and pools at her feet even though she has heels.
Which means when she starts to descend the stairs again she has to lift the dress in her hand.
She looks like a princess, just like Silas always says.
As I try to pick up my jaw off the floor Silas races up the stairs past me, followed by Archer.
Archer offers his arm to Morella, the gentleman that he is but Silas outdoes him by swooping Liv up into his arms and carries her down the stairs.
Both girls giggle at his knight in shining armor act as he twirls her at the bottom of the stairs then pushes their noses together and gives her a soft kiss.
Archer is laughing as him and Morella step off the last stair. I can’t help but realize how happy my friends are. How happy all of us are. All because of one girl. She came into our lives like a storm. I thought she flipped everything on its axis, but maybe, just maybe, she righted everything.
“What?” She asks me, hands still around Silas’ neck and he holds her.
I want to tell her I love her. The words almost come out. I have never felt this way about someone other than Morella or the guys. It’s not just lust I feel for her. It’s more.
I sigh and smile at her. “You’re just perfect. You fit perfectly.”
Everyone is quiet for a beat and Liv looks like she might cry. Her body shakes with a strangled breath and Silas holds her closer.
“He’s right Princess.” He nuzzles her gently and then sets her down. “But no crying.”
She laughs and looks up at the ceiling, blinking back tears.
“Let’s be honest though,” Archer's voice is low and gravelly. He’s eyeing Liv up and down, heat in his eyes.
We are going to have to be late, with you looking as good as you do.”
Liv’s eyes go wide and looks between all three of us, realizing we are all looking at her like she’s prey.
“Uhm. That’s fine.” Morella says as she steps past us and towards the door. “My date can pick me up.”
It’s like a bucket of ice water has been tossed on me. “What date?” Archer, Silas and myself all say in unison.
Morella looks at us in disgust. “You didn’t think I was going to winter formal with my brother and his friends did you?” She raises her hands. “No offense Liv.”
“None taken.” She says and she’s hiding a grin. She knew about the date.
“Who’s taking you?” Archer demands.
“My date.” Morella responds, crossing her arms.
“From school?” Silas asks.
Morella shakes her head. I frown. Who could she be taking, if he’s not from school?
“Then who?” I ask.
“Boys,” Liv has placed her hand on my shoulder and is moving in front of Morella to face us. “Let her go. It’s fine. I approve.”
I battle with myself. It seems my friends do as well, based on the looks they’re sporting. Liv approves, so he can’t be that bad but that’s my little sister.
Click.
I look up to see Morella has gone.
“I call dibs.” Silas says jokingly as he scoops Liv over his shoulder and runs toward the den.
Archer grins and chases after them. I stand for a moment just savoring this feeling. Then my dick reminds me that my friends are peeling off that gorgeous dress of hers.
Liv had to fix her hair and makeup before coming to winter formal.
Her lipstick was smeared, mascara running and her hair was nearly destroyed.
I grins at the memory of it all. We arrive at the dance about an hour late.
No big deal, there will be an after party but I know Silas wants to dance with Liv.
The doors to the cafeteria are wide open when we arrive, music, laughter, and conversations floating out into the night air.
We enter and I feel like royalty. I mean, normally I do anyway but this isn’t about my family's name, our money, or even grades. This is about my own little world I’ve built with my friends and Liv.
Unfortunately, the feeling is about to be ruined as I see Madison and her little band of clones strutting towards us.
Maddison looks Liv up and down, one eyebrow raising.
“That poor dress. It deserves to be on someone much prettier.” Her eyes move from Liv to Silas, lingering on his vest. She scoffs.
They move to Archers cuffs, her upper lip curls.
She swings her gaze to me and I can see her expression change several times.
First she looks like she’s going to try and sweet talk me.
Her eyes look me up and down and they snag on my tie.
Confusion. Eyes snapping to Liv’s dress, Silas’ vest, Archer’s cuffs, my tie. Fury.
“You can’t be serious?!” She shouts. Her face is turning red with a hint of purple. Oh she’s mad.
I can feel Liv shrink next to me. I reach out without taking my eyes off Maddison and pull Liv into my side.
“Quite serious actually.” I say flatly. I don’t smile, I don’t let any feeling come from my eyes.
She’s visibly shaking now. And then she’s still.
“I’m glad you went along with the plan.” She says, smirking and crossing her arms over her chest. I can hear the confusion flutter over Liv and the guys. Maddison shifts her weight. “Dressing up to convince her that you actually like her is perfect. She’ll be even more humiliated this way.”
Liv tries to pull away from me but my grip tightens around her waist. I’m clenching my jaw, trying to not let this bitch get to me. No one says anything for a long time. I can feel Liv's grip on my shirt getting tighter.
Maddison waits impatiently for someone to say something. I’m not sure if I should. She loves to argue, so what’s the point? But I go against my better judgement.
“This isn’t part of a joke or a plan.” I tell her. “I’m matching Liv because she’s my date.”
Maddison is scrambling inside her head. Reaching for any straw she can find. I can see it in her crazed eyes.
“Well, when you want more fun like we had on your birthday, come find me.” She smirks thinking shit hit home and maybe she did because I feel Liv flinch beside me.
Silas groans loudly and Archer mumbles a Jesus fucking christ.
“Maddison.” I say her name to get her attention fully back on me.
“I fucked you because I was angry. I fucked you because it was easy. I wanted Liv that night. I’ve wanted Liv since the day she knocked Morella over on the rink.
” My hand drops from Liv’s waist and I take a step closer to Maddison.
“Fucking you was easier than admitting the love I have for Liv. Something I will never have for you. You were easy and available. That’s all you have going for you.
Nothing more.” My voice has lowered and deepen to a growl by the time I’m done.
I can’t take any more bullshit from this girl.
For most of my life I’ve had to put up with her but that stops today.
I stare down at her, anger rising out of me. Her lower lip wobbles and her eyes fill with unshed tears. She blinks them away furiously and tries to play it off. “Well, when you’re done with her, you know where to find me.” She turns, flinging her hair behind her and walks off, Populars in tow.
“Damn Rafe.” I turn around to see Morella standing nearby, linking arms with a guy. A guy I recognize but not from school. I shake it off because right now I just don’t care. I look to Liv and tears are spilling down her cheeks. My heart shatters.
“Baby, hey, please don’t cry.” I wipe a few tears from her cheeks.
“Maddison is full of shit. Nothing she said was true.” I’m panicking.
I’ve never had to stop someone from crying before.
Liv laughs through a sob and I’m confused.
My face searches hers and she’s smiling.
“What?” I ask. My hands still cupping her face.
She sniffles and says, “You said you loved me.”
I stare for a moment and replay the conversation in my head. Fucking you was easier than admitting the love I have for Liv. I grin and focus my attention back on Liv. “Love.” I tell her. “Love.” I say again. More tears fall down her cheeks as she pulls me in for a kiss.
Archer claps me on the shoulder as Liv and I break apart. Morella looks like a kid on Christmas opening the one thing they asked for and Silas is yanking off his tie.
“Hell yeah!” Silas shouts. “Now let’s dance!” He grabs Liv and whisks her away to the dance floor. The rest of us following soon after.