Chapter Twenty-Four
“Are you coming to the after party at Paul’s?” Lindsey asked, turning in the mirror to get a better look of the sparkling violet floor length gown that was clinging to her curves.
“He’s already planning an after party?” I was struggling with the tiny clasp on a pair of silver heels.
“Someone remind me why we spend every Saturday at that loser’s house?” Emily called from the dressing room. She opened the door and stepped out in a bright blue cocktail length.
Paul wasn’t a bad guy. A bit chaotic, and an avid drug user—which I wasn’t sure how he got away with being on the football team— but he was always there if you needed a good laugh.
“Because his parents are never home, and there isn’t shit else to do in Woodland,” Lindsey answered dryly, then her attention fell back to Emily. “You look like a cake topper.”
Emily groaned and retreated to the dressing room. After another moment of struggling I gave up on the clasp and stood to examine the silver silk in the mirror.
“Andy is going to lose it when he sees you in that.” Lindsey gawked.
I frowned. “He still hasn’t asked me.”
“Cut him some slack, boys are dumb.”
I heard a shuttering sound behind me, along with a flash of light. I turned to see Emily with my phone in her hand.
“Send him a photo of your ass in that dress and he’ll be begging you to go with him.” She smirked, handing me the phone.
When she was close enough that Lindsey couldn’t hear her, she whispered, “Or send it to the nerd, maybe he’ll ask you.”
Her new dress was a soft pink that whispered when she walked.
“Em, you are not allowed to try any other dresses on. That color is perfect for you.” Lindsey said.
“You should get that one too.” Emily said back to her.
I sent the photo to Andy. The read notification popped up immediately, but I didn’t get a response. I waited a moment, then backed out of the thread to pull up my text with August.
I sent him the photo too, and he immediately responded with an emoji of a disco ball. I choked on my laughter, and Emily glared at me. Lindsey had already returned to her dressing room to change back into her own clothes.
My phone buzzed with a photo-message from August. It took a moment to load, but when it did I was greeted by the image of him in front of his bathroom mirror, his long fingers wrapped around his hard length over a pair of grey sweatpants.
But that wasn’t what held my attention—it was the exposed skin of his chest.
I had never seen him without his shirt on, and I wasn’t expecting his stomach to be so toned. His abs weren’t as defined as Andy’s, but he was still lean in the center with soft curves at his hips. A thin trail of blonde hair heading from his navel disappeared into the elastic waistband.
Remind me to start coming over on laundry day from now on. I typed.
Every Saturday for the rest of my life. He texted back.
Emily pinched my side. I glared up at her, and she had the price tag on the hem of her dress held up. We both frowned at each other.
“Think they have a clearance rack?” I whispered, gathering my own dress to get a look at the tag.
“I pulled these from the clearance rack.” she grimaced.
“I’ll make you something better.” I winked at her, but her features didn’t lift until Lindsey was out of the dressing room.
“Do you guys want to get lunch while we’re in the city?” she asked, completely unaware of our exchange.
“I’ve got a lot of homework to do.” I said.
“I have to go to work.” Emily said at the same time.
Each of us knew the other was lying, but we smiled at each other like it was funny.
”Did you buy the dress?” August asked as he slid my heels off.
“No.” I balanced on his shoulder as he did the other.
“Why not?” His hands slid up my legs as he rose.
I didn’t answer his question. Instead I said, “There’s going to be a party across the street after the formal. You should come.”
“What for?” he laughed, moving around me toward his couch.
I shrugged. “It will be fun. It’s just across the street.”
I kept my back toward him as I said it with all the casualness I could muster. I didn’t want to see his face when he rejected me.
He came up behind me, his chin resting on my shoulder as his ringed fingers moved a lock of hair away before he whispered in my ear, “Is that what you want, Sin? For me to sit in the shadows of a party just to watch you have fun with your friends?”
I closed my eyes, leaning back into the feeling of his breath on my skin. I hummed in agreement.
“Need someone to witness how happy you are with them?”
“I hate when you do that,” I said, breathless.
“Do what?” His cool fingertips traced along my collarbones.
“See me.”
“Sorry, Sin. I have other plans for that night.”
“Oh?” I started to turn, but his hands found my hips and held me firmly in place.
He chuckled against my shoulder. “Keep your eyes closed.”
I did as he said as I lost the heat of his proximity. When I heard his voice again it came from in front of me. “Alright, open.”
August was on his knees, holding up a single white rose. “I know it’s less than you deserve, but I was wondering if, after winter formal, you’d come over and dance with me alone in my room?”
A wide smile split my face as I took the rose from him. “Will you dress up for me?”
He nodded. “Anything for you.”
“Then I’d love to dance alone in your room with you.”