by Sierra Hill
Sage’s excuse for not attending was financial limitations. He’d said there was no way he’d be able to afford a tux rental if he was going to be able to have enough money to move to Nashville after graduation.
How could I argue that?
Although, I did try to loan him the money from my college savings, Sage flat out refused and there was nothing I could do to change his mind. I tried to remind him how fun homecoming was, but he argued that things had changed too much and if anyone got a whiff of our situation now, it would cause an uproar in the town.
I begrudgingly agreed, only for the sheer fact that I knew things were not going well at home between Sage and his dad. All I wanted was for him to get out of town as soon as he could. The dance wasn’t as important as Sage’s happiness and well-being.
Momma lifted my bent chin with her finger, eying me suspiciously.
“What’s wrong, sugar plum? Aren’t you happy that Cam’s taking you tonight? You two look so good together.”
I nodded, smoothing down the gorgeous blue taffeta gown that flared out from my hips. It was a strapless dress that hugged my upper body like a glove, with the top being satin and sequence. I knew Cam would die at seeing my cleavage peeking out from the top and that thought brought me some joy.
“I am. Of course, I am, momma. But I hate the idea of Sage missing out on this night. I wish he could come, too.”
My momma had no earthly idea what had been going on under her nose over the last few weeks between Cam, Sage and me. If she knew, she’d have locked me up and gotten out my daddy’s shotgun herself.
My body had become a sensuous wonderland with the new territory being explored and mapped out each time I was with Sage and Cam. We’d made a promise together after my birthday camping trip that we would be faithful to one another, and if any one of us weren’t around, then we’d remain chaste.
It was a tough promise to keep because we were hungry for each other all the damn time. Just a look from either one of them in class or across the school cafeteria or the brush of a hand against my skin in the hallway made me wanton and itchy for more. I was in a constant state of arousal and I wanted them all the time.
All I had to look forward to was prom night. When we’d get to spend the entire night together – the three of us – kissing and touching and fucking. I was so excited I could barely stand it, had it not been Sage not attending the dance with us.
“I just don’t understand why he didn’t ask someone to go with him. He’s such a sweet boy, any girl would be lucky to go with him.”
She sat down on the edge of my bed and patted the spot next to her.
Reaching for my hand as I snuggled into her shoulder, she clasped mine tightly with hers, wrapping her other hand around it.
“You know how important it is for Sage to move out as soon as possible, so he really didn’t want to spend the money on this. You know him. These traditions are frivolous and mean nothing to him. I don’t even think he plans on showing up for the graduation ceremony.”
You’d think someone had just slapped my mother across the face with the force of her gasp.
“What? Why in the world not?”
I gave her the look that implied, “are you serious?”
My parents…well, anyone in town who knew about Sage’s home life shouldn’t be surprised that Sage wouldn’t be there to accept his diploma. It wasn’t just the pomp and ceremony that Sage detested, but it was for fear that his dad would show up drunk and make a scene.
In fact, over the last few weeks, since we’d returned from our camping trip, Sage’s dad had been thrown in jail several times for drunken and disorderly conduct in public, as well as threatening to kill one of the local bar owners who refused to serve him one night.
And truth be told, I was worried for Sage every single day that he lived in that house. He claimed it was nothing and that he could take care of himself, but I saw the bruises on his arms and neck in the past. I knew how important it was for Sage to get out of that house as soon as feasibly possible.
Luckily, Sage was at an age where he could finally stand up for himself and wouldn’t take a lickin’ if he could help it. The last time it’d happened, Sage just shrugged and said, “The old man has bad aim when he’s fucked up.”
“Momma, you know his life isn’t like mine. And I won’t push him to do it if it makes him uncomfortable.”
My momma thought about this for a moment, strumming a thumb over my hand. I stared down at our joined hands, seeing the similarities but differences between them.
Her’s were roughened and aged from years of raising children and working in the kitchen and outdoors in her garden. Mine, still soft and feminine, were unfamiliar to the exposure of weather and conditions. Sure, I’d worked with my dad’s horses and livestock since I was just itty-bitty, but I hadn’t raised three children or taken care of a home and family for nearly thirty years.
I wasn’t sure what my future would hold or where I’d end up, but I knew one thing for certain – if I were to ever be a wife and mother, I wanted to be like my mother. She had shown me how a woman can carry strength and dignity through the love she projects to her friends, family, and neighbors. And to my best friends, Sage and Cam.
“Would it help if I talked to Sage? Told him that we are his family and we’ll be out there in attendance, cheering for him?”
“Ah, momma,” I sighed, leaning up to kiss her cheek, a watery smile across my mouth. “You are so sweet. I’m sure he’d love to hear that, but it won’t change his mind. But I’ll invite him over tomorrow and you can tell him then.”
I stood up and wobbly-stepped into my high-heeled shoes, turning in a circle to show off my dress.
“Oh baby, I’m so proud of you and the young woman you’ve become. And I love you to the moon and back. And just make sure that boy of yours is respectful and treats you well.”
We finished up with a hug and then went downstairs to find my dad already sitting in the family room with Grady, talking to Cam.
A low whistle escaped my brother’s lips and I rolled my eyes, waving him off with a flourish of my hand.
“Stop it, you idiot.”
He and my dad chuckled, as Cam stood and turned to face me, his eyes popping wide, jaw going slack and his mouth dropping to the floor.
I blushed at his expression. “Wow, London…you look…you look…”
My brother, momma, and daddy all helped him out.
“Beautiful.”
“Like a girl for once.” This from my brother.
“Untouchable.”
The last comment was my daddy’s and I couldn’t even look at him for fear that he’d know exactly how much Cam had already touched me over the last month. The blush across my cheeks was probably a dead giveaway.
I sucked my lower lip between my teeth, with my momma scolding me to stop.
“London, you’ll smear your lipstick. Now, come and stand next to Cam so I can take pictures of you both by the fireplace.”
She ushered me over and Cam, seemingly still struck dumb at the sight of me in a gown, gave me his arm and we stood shoulder to shoulder in front of my family. Posing for pictures that would last a lifetime and would someday be cherished memories.
But it all felt so incomplete without Sage. Like a phantom limb, it was a painful memory of what was missing at my side tonight.
My life had always been filled with moments where they both were next to me. If one pulled in one direction, the other naturally gravitated.
They were my bookends. My anchors. My compass.
And right now, I felt unbalanced. Off kilter.
Doing my best to give a natural smile, I looked up into Cam’s eyes, who gazed down at me. And in his own wan smile and simmering blue eyes, I saw the mirror image of my own thoughts.
Cam bent down and whispered in my ear. “I miss him, too, baby. But we’ll see him later tonight. I promise.”
I nodded and reached up on my tiptoes to kiss his cheek, hearing th
e snap of my momma’s phone as she caught the moment.
“Ah, you two look so adorable together. Don’t they Lee?”
My daddy grunted, stuffing his hands in the pockets of his worn jeans and giving Cam the death glare that clearly stated, “don’t mess around with my daughter.”
We finished off the photos, stepping out into the garden for a few more before we finally left for prom.
A piece of our hearts was missing as we went through the motions of enjoying our senior prom together.
All the while, something in my gut kept sending me warning signals. Roadside flares to alert me of danger. A shift in the universe that told me something wasn’t right.
An uneasy feeling crept through my veins like vines on my momma’s garden arbor trellis.
It screamed for Sage to stop.
To run.
To hide.
Chapter 20
“How’s it feel to be king, your majesty?” I teased Cam, as he held me by the waist and spun me slowly around the dance floor, where we’d been dancing over the last two hours.
He’d been crowned Prom King, along with Cecily Peterson, the school Prom Queen. Cam was pissed off that I wasn’t nominated for the prom court, but I had no interest or desire to be part of the ceremony or school tradition. It’d never been my aim to be voted for popularity. I was happier as valedictorian, performing on stage in with my dance crew or enjoying my time with Cam and Sage, not with people who were superficial and insincere.
I had my close circle of friends and if others thought that was strange, I was okay with it. They would all be distant memories when I left for college. This town would always be my home, but my heart was with my family, Cam, and Sage. The rest was irrelevant to my future happiness.
Cam tickled my ribs to get me back for my comment and I wiggled against his hold, giggling in a fit of laughter.
“It feels good, but only because I have my rightful queen in my arms.”
His comment melted me in his embrace. Everything about the evening had been perfect, from the dinner we ate out under the stars to the way he held me while we danced and never let me out of his sight. It was rare to be touched by Cam in public and outside our bubble we’d created with Sage.
Sage.
Although the night with Cam was something out of my dreams, I still couldn’t shake the strange feeling that continued to niggle in the back of my mind. It made me anxious and ready to leave almost as soon as we arrived at the dance, hours before.
“I’d like to go soon so we can see our prince.”
Cam placed a kiss on the top of my head, his hand at the small of my back, pressing me closer to his warm body. He smelled so good. Like the scent of warm apples on a fall day. Spicy and something just Cam.
“Me too. But I kind of like having you all to myself right now, too,” he admitted against my ear, as we slow danced to Lady Antebellum’s song, Need You Now. “But we can go after this song. It’s almost time to meet up with Sage, anyhow.”
It felt so good to be held by Cam. In his arms, I always felt safe and cherished, and most certainly, loved. Although Sage would say it to me more often, I knew Cam loved me. He just expressed it in a different way.
The song ended, and we stood holding each other for a long moment. Peering up, our eyes connected, and I felt something so strong, so indelible, that my body trembled in response.
“London, tonight was … it was perfect. This whole year has been perfect and it’s because of you and Sage. You’re my best friends…and, well…” The words stalled at his lips and he cleared his throat. “You’re more than that. You are the love of my life.”
My heart shimmied inside my chest from his confession. It meant everything to me.
“Let’s go, Cam. I want to be with you and Sage tonight more than anything.”
We drove in relative silence, our hands clasped together, the windows of the truck rolled down as we road through the countryside to the next town. The room Cam had booked was at a small and intimate out-of-the-way motel that we knew wouldn’t be crawling with any of our high school friends. Most of them were staying in town or going to someone’s kegger party out in the woods.
The plan for us this evening was relatively simple: do things to each other that made us feel good. And I couldn’t wait. My body was tight with anticipation for what I knew would happen with them. I’d been daydreaming about the two of their naked bodies with mine and all the sensual things we did together for weeks, longing for their touch.
As we pulled into the motel lot, my intuition was on high alert. Cam, sensing my concern, eased my worry.
“He’ll be here. He’s probably just running late. He had a shift tonight and said he’d be here as soon as he could get away. In the meantime, I have this.”
Cam’s mischievous smile pulled me out of my funk as he reached around behind the seat and pulled out a bag.
Setting it between us on the seat, he opened it up and removed a bottle of champagne. After having some for the first time on New Years’ Eve, I was a fan.
“And it’s pink, too,” I gleefully exclaimed, kissing him quickly on the cheek before turning toward the truck door.
His hand landed on my arm. “Whoa there, little missy. Hold your horses. Let me get the door for my queen.”
Aw, such a chivalrous gentleman.
Waiting impatiently for him to come around to the passenger side, I peeked at my phone in my purse, just in case my parents had tried to reach me. Or maybe Sage had texted to let us know his expected arrival time.
Sadly, no texts or direct notifications, but I made sure to turn the volume up just in case.
I closed my purse just as the door swung open and Cam appeared to help me down. Jumping into his arms, he picked me up and swung me out the door, grabbing the bottle and collecting our overnight bags with our change of clothes.
He’d already checked in before he picked me up earlier and had a card key to open the door.
“After you, pretty girl,” he winked, motioning me into the room.
My eyes darted around the room when he flicked on the lights. To my amazement, there were rose petals and flowers strewn across the floor and all over the king size bed comforter, and soft music played in the background.
“Oh my God, Cameron. This is so beautiful.” I swung around and wrapped my arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. “It’s so romantic.”
He lifted a shoulder. “Can’t take credit for it. It was Sage’s idea. I just did the dirty work.”
I wiggled my eyebrows at the word dirty. Regardless of the romantic notion, I knew things would surely get a little naughty tonight. Our group texts were a testament to all the possibilities and potential.
“Well, the two of you together make the perfect team.”
Cam set down the champagne on the table, his bag on the floor and loosened his bow tie. He stepped toward me, crowding me against the side of the bed as he did.
“We make the perfect team.”
The first brush of his lips on mine nearly buckled my knees. It took my breath away. I missed touching him in this way. I dug my fingers into his scalp, as electricity rippled through me. Cam’s hands cupped my butt, squeezing and plumping as he pulled me flush against his very hard length.
My body sizzled, and my legs clenched together, as I squirmed against him searching for friction.
“I’ve been dying to get this dress off you all night,” he admitted, placing wet, open-mouth kisses along my shoulder, my collarbone and landing at the top of my cleavage. “And holy fuck, the sight of these got me so hard, I was worried your parents would see exactly where my thoughts were and lock you away from me upstairs.”
I laughed with mirth and brazenly slid my hand down to his trouser zipper, palming the bulge that had lengthened and thickened with our kisses.
“Do you think we should wait for Sage?”
He choked out a masculine rumble as I edged along the material over his straining erection, which told me what I n
eeded to know.
“I’ll do whatever you want…but maybe I should get you out of this dress first. You know, so you can be more comfortable while we wait.”
“You’re so thoughtful,” I teased, stepping back to give us some room.
Cam’s fingers stroked over the sequined ribbing of my corset, flicking over the taut nipple that strained against it.
I moaned my agreement. “Mmm…maybe you’re right.”
His fingers found the zipper in back, deftly unzipping me out of the confines of my gown, brushing the bare skin of my back. Shivers ran down my spine at his touch, as his fingers latched to the edge of the dress, pulling it down to my waist to expose my breasts.
He cupped them reverently, plumping and squeezing. “Is it okay to tell you that I want to fuck these sometime soon?”
His words made me breathless. Made me want more. Want it all.
“How about tonight?” I responded, lacing my fingers over his as we massaged my breasts together.
“Shit, London. You have no idea how much I want to push you down on that bed right this instant and do that to you.”
Smiling decadently, I pulled him down on top of me as I stretched out wantonly across the bed.
“Do it, then.”
“Fuck yes.”
Sounding like a savage animal, a growl erupted from his lungs as he moved with lightning speed, unzipping, removing, and throwing our clothes to the floor until we were both left in only our underwear.
Just as he was about to slide my panties off, our phones began chirping incessantly with incoming notifications.
One.
Two.
Three.
Until the sounds of our phones drowned out the music and our own heavy breaths and pulled our concentration away from each other.
Cam looked down at me expectantly.
“Maybe it’s Sage.”
I nodded and we both reached for our phones at the same time. I had to get out of bed to grab my purse and Cam bent down to fumble for his from his pants pocket.
