by K. G. Reuss
“Hey,” he murmured, waking me. I sat forward and looked at him.
“I-I’m sorry. I just dozed off—”
“You needed the rest.” He gave me a smile.
“I did,” I admitted shyly. “I don’t sleep well. Not even with the pills. I always feel unrested.”
“I could do more if you’d let me in, Maggie,” he said softly.
“You’re one of the closest people to me, Corbin,” I said. “You’re a good friend.”
He scoffed and looked away, a muscle working along his jaw. Hesitantly, I reached out and brushed my fingers against his cheek. He looked back at me, his green eyes wavering.
Feeling brave, I leaned in and wrapped my arms around him in a tight embrace.
“Thank you. For everything.”
I didn’t think he was going to hug me back. Finally, he shifted in his seat and enfolded me in his arms.
“You’re welcome. I hope you have fun tonight,” he answered.
“You’re coming right? I owe you payment, after all,” I said, pulling away from him.
“I always collect what’s mine. Always,” he answered, his voice low. “I’ll be there.”
Something about the way he said that sent shivers down my spine. I cast him one last look before getting out of the car, dress in hand.
I watched as he sped away, the chills still on my skin.
Chapter 44
My makeup was done, and my hair was pulled half up, letting the rest cascade around me in dark waves. The dress was beautiful on me. I added a pearl bracelet and teardrop earrings. Nervously, I fidgeted with the ring on my finger. Lance was supposed to actually walk through my front door and pick me up. He was going to meet Alan. It wasn’t my idea. Alan had insisted on it. And my mom, in a drunken daze, had backed him up.
I still couldn’t shake Corbin’s weirdness. He was always so damn intense. He reminded of Brax a lot. I had a hard time telling when Corbin was teasing and when he was being serious. If we were going to be friends, I’d definitely have to work on that, so I didn’t feel so awkward.
The doorbell rang, pulling me from my thoughts, and my heart flopped nervously in my chest. Lance was at the door. I knew it. He was always on time.
Not wanting to stay here longer than necessary, I went downstairs to find Lance’s eyes narrowed as he stared at Alan, my mother smiling nervously between them.
“Oh, doesn’t she look beautiful!” my mom gushed as I came down the stairs. Both Alan and Lance stopped glaring at one another to look at me.
“Hey.” Lance held his hand out to me as I reached the bottom step. “You look breathtaking, Maggie.” He planted a sweet kiss on my cheek.
“Thank you,” I murmured, my body tense as I turned to face my parents.
“Gather together. I want a picture!” My mom whipped her camera out. We obliged, posing as she asked, Alan glaring at us the whole time. He’d promised I could go! I sent up a silent prayer that I wasn’t about to pay any more for it.
“Thank you for letting me take Maggie out,” Lance said, extending his hand to Alan who sneered down at it before shaking it. “I’ll keep her safe.”
“You better,” Alan warned, looking from Lance to me. “I’d be quite upset to lose my daughter.”
Stepdaughter!
“Of course. It was nice to meet you.” Lance gave my parents a tight smile. My mom moved in to give me a hug.
“Here, take this,” she whispered in my ear, shoving a small package in my hand. “Have a good time.”
“Thanks, Mom,” I answered, kissing her cheek. She gave me a smile before moving away. I let Lance lead me outside. The moment we were in his car, a whoosh of air rushed out in relief.
“That sucked.” Lance chuckled. I nodded my agreement.
“Maggie, you looked absolutely amazing. I-I can’t even take my eyes off you.” Lance’s eyes swept over me. I blushed at his compliment.
“What’s in your hand?” he asked, backing out of the driveway.
“Oh…” I looked down at the small package in my hand, my face heating up. “Nothing.”
“What is it?” he pressed, taking the package out of my hand. He looked at it, his brows crinkled as I grimaced. “Your mom gave us condoms?”
“I’m so embarrassed,” I mumbled. “I-I’m sorry. She’s drunk again—”
“Maggie, she cares. It’s cool.”
“You can have them. You’ll use them before I—” I slapped my hand over my mouth and shook my head. I was really batting zero.
“Maggie, when I use them, you’ll be with me.” He shot me a butterfly inducing smile. “We can save them.”
“I-I’ll just put them in your glove compartment,” I said, blushing furiously. I twisted my trembling fingers. Lance chuckled but didn’t push the subject.
“Where are we going?” I asked, changing the subject.
“I thought I’d take my beautiful girl out to dinner,” he answered. I smiled at him and settled back in my seat. We made small talk the entire way.
“How’s everything at home been this week?” Lance asked after we’d settled at our table and were digging into our food.
“Um…” I bit my bottom lip. I didn’t want to lie to him, but I also didn’t want him to worry. Or worse, take it upon himself to try to protect me. “It’s been OK. Just have had some extra chores and all that.”
“I’m glad. You seem a bit happier.”
“I’m doing well,” I replied, knowing I was just faking my way through it all. I wasn’t happier. I was worse. Maybe my smile still fooled some people.
Our meal was enjoyable, and Lance kept staring at me, even when he thought I wasn’t looking. By the end of our meal, my tummy was laden with butterflies. This was how it was supposed to be.
So why did Brax’s face keep popping up in my mind? Try as I might, I couldn’t get rid of it.
When we got to the dance, it was already in full swing.
“You look beautiful. You ready?” Lance gently kissed my cheek.
“Yeah.” I nodded. We walked in together, my arm wound tightly through his. I didn’t need to search the crowd. I knew exactly where to find Brax. I forced myself not to look at him even though I felt his gaze on me. I let Lance bring me into the crowded room, trying my hardest not to encounter Brax. His apprehension was palpable. Though I wasn’t even near him, it was overwhelming me.
“You want to dance?” Lance murmured in my ear. With a smile, I nodded and followed him onto the dance floor. I cast glances in Brax’s direction and frowned as I watched him scowl at Jess when she tried to engage him. He didn’t look the least bit interested. But oh, heaven! Did he look divine in his dark suit.
After a few dances, Lance kissed my cheek. “I’ll be back in a minute.” He disappeared into the crowd. I moved to the side, wondering if now would be a good time to talk to Brax. I was just about ready to make a move when Corbin’s soft voice pulled me away.
“You clean up nice, princess,” his deep voice cooed over my shoulder.
“Hey,” I greeted him, smiling.
“I came to collect my dance,” he replied, holding his hand out to me. I took his hand wordlessly and went with him to the dance floor. It was one dance. It shouldn’t be an issue. That’s what I kept telling myself as he glided me around the floor.
“You’re the center of attention,” Corbin commented, making me blush.
“Yeah, right.” I laughed embarrassedly.
“Trust me, you are.” He smiled down at me.
“Then they’re crazy.”
“That’s not always a bad thing,” he said. We both grew quiet as we moved. “Are you having a good time?”
“Yeah.” I smiled up at him.
“Liar,” he said, leaning his head closer to me. “You’re a terrible liar. You want Shepherd.”
“I don’t want him,” I managed to say. Was that a lie?
I wanted to kick myself. Of course it was a lie! He was all I could think about! The guilt about it was eating
me up inside. I kept telling myself I was with Lance. LANCE! But regardless, my heart still yearned to give Brax the dance I’d promised him. I meant what I’d said to him. I was saving him a dance.
“Why don’t you just go talk to him? Save yourself the agony?”
“I… um… him and Lance are like forced friends, you know? And I don’t want to hurt that.”
“I see.” Corbin nodded, frowning. “Well, sometimes you have to be a little forceful to get what you want. You can’t be timid and meek. If you don’t play the game, Maggie, you’ll never win.”
“I’m not interested in playing games,” I replied.
“That’s too bad. I like playing games.” He smirked down at me.
“Why doesn’t that surprise me?” I chuckled.
“That’s why I’ve been doing so well being your secret friend. I’m enjoying the game of hide-and-seek,” he continued. “And being alone with you has been fun, if not a little suffocating and overbearing at times.”
“Excuse me?” I snorted. “You’re the one that’s suffocating and overbearing!”
“Am I?” he asked mildly. “Maybe I’m just a really good actor. Did I tell you that I voted for you for queen?
“No, but thank you. You didn’t have to.”
“I know. But you’d look good with a crown on your head. I think a black crown would be better. Maybe with some rubies or bloodstones,” he murmured, his eyes sweeping over my face quickly. “Maybe the queen of a warmer environment. I find this place rather displeasing. Bit too chilly for my blood.”
“It’s not so bad if you have someone to share it with,” I answered.
“Then it’s really terrible for me. All I have is you.” He flashed me a toothy smile.
“I think you secretly enjoy my company and just play like you don’t like it. Is that what you want? You want me to tell you how much I enjoy being with you?” I asked, raising an eyebrow at him.
“Couldn’t hurt.” He smiled. I rolled my eyes at him, chuckling. “We should take this friendship to a new level. Maybe catch a movie sometime. I’ll buy.”
“That would be fun. There’s a horror flick I’ve been wanting to see.”
“You like horror movies?” Corbin looked at me in surprise. “I’d never have thought that.”
“There’s a lot you don’t know about me.” I shrugged.
“I know. And I quite like the surprises,” he answered.
“Admit it. You need me, Corbin Black. You like being with me. You love our chats. You even liked dress shopping with me. You’d be lonely without me. You know it.”
“Maybe.” He gave me a weak smile. “Maybe not. Like I said, I’m a good actor.”
“Whatever.” I went up on my tiptoes and kissed his cheek gently as the song ended. “Thank you. For the dance. And for the dress. You made my night.”
“You’re welcome, princess,” he answered softly. He released me and backed away. “Shepherd… Go talk to him. Be brave. You’ll feel better.”
“Fine.” I smiled at him. He threw me a wink and disappeared into the crowd leaving me alone. It was only a moment before Lance was back at my side.
“What was that about?” Lance asked, his voice a low grumble.
“Dancing.”
“Looked like a little more than that to me,” he said. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing. We-we’re friends,” I said, not wanting to lie about it. I hated it. I liked to be honest. Granted, I hadn’t exactly been a beacon of honesty lately, but despite my latest transgressions, I still aspired to be a good person.
“I told you I don’t want you talking to the guy—”
“You can’t tell me what to do with my life, Lance,” I said to him, bristling. “I’m my own person. I’ll talk to who I want to talk to!”
“Maggie, he’s not a good guy. He’s not what you think—”
“You have no idea what I think.” I sighed. “I see good in him—”
“You see good in everyone, Maggie! Not everyone is good though! You need to understand that. I’m just trying to protect you—”
“No, you’re trying to keep me forever. This isn’t how you accomplish that,” I said softly.
“Maggie, come on—”
“Let’s just enjoy the night and drop it, OK?” I said, forcing a smile. He let out a defeated sigh and nodded his agreement. We made nice and smiled, although I knew he was still upset as the night wore on.
“It’s time for the moment you’ve all been waiting for,” Principal’s Jackson’s voice cut through Lance and his teammate, Brian’s conversation about playoffs. Everyone grew quiet, and I groaned inwardly. I wasn’t sure who nominated me, but I was seriously dreading it. I didn’t for a second believe anyone would vote for me. As for king, I figured it was down to Lance and Brax, and the way the girls loved Brax, he was a shoo in.
“It’s time for the announcement of this year’s Homecoming king and queen! In one of the closest votes in this school’s history, I’m proud to announce that this year’s Homecoming king is Brax Shepherd!”
Everyone went wild. Brax looked like he was going to throw up. Jess’s arms snaked around his neck, but he quickly untangled himself from her and went to the stage to get his crown. He stared out into the crowd, his face emotionless.
He looked so beautiful standing beneath the lights. I had to talk to him and give him that dance I promised.
“Tough break, man.” Brian clapped Lance on the shoulder. He only shrugged.
“And now, it’s time to announce this year’s queen! This year’s Homecoming queen is…” Principal Jackson paused, and I looked over at Jess. She looked like she was ready to rush the stage. I hoped she got it. It would make her night.
“Maggie Westbrook!”
I didn’t move. I must have heard wrong. There was no way I’d won.
“Congrats, sweetheart!” Lance hugged me tightly. “You won!”
“I won?” I asked, still confused.
“Yeah! Go up there! Go!” He laughed, pushing me forward. People clapped me on the back, making me wince. It still hurt from Alan’s beating. I managed to make it to the stage, feeling numb inside.
I won. How the hell…
A crown was placed on my head. I stood wordlessly beside Brax, my heart jackknifing in my chest and my face painted red with embarrassment at being the center of attention.
“And now, the first dance of your king and queen!”
Brax came to me and took my hand in his. I followed him wordlessly to the center of the dance floor and let him pull me into his arms. Immediately, all my worries and sadness washed away. It was just us.
“Hi,” he murmured, looking down at me.
“Hi,” I answered, resting my hands on his chest. “I’ve been looking for you tonight.”
“I know.” He smiled.
“Did you?” I gave him a tiny smile.
“I did. You kept staring at me. Why is that?” he teased. The heat from my blush deepened.
“I wasn’t staring at you,” I lied, shaking my head in amusement at him.
“You’re a terrible liar,” he chuckled.
“You’re not so great yourself,” I shot back, my eyes locked on his. That’s right. I was going to call him out.
“What makes you think that?”
“You were looking for me too,” I said, draping my arms around his neck. “I know you were. I could feel you all around me.”
“Maybe I was.” He leaned in close to me, making me feel breathless. “What are you going to do about it?”
I ducked my head in embarrassment. I couldn’t resist. I leaned into Brax, relishing how he felt so close to me, and rested my head on his chest.
“Are you having fun tonight?” he asked.
“Yes.” I looked up at him, smiling. “Are you?”
“I am now.”
“You haven’t danced once tonight. Why?” I pressed, wondering why he wouldn’t at least have one dance with Jess.
“Because you’re
the only one I wanted to dance with,” he replied tenderly. The heat warmed my face again. He had a way of always making me blush.
“I wanted to dance with you too,” I answered bravely. Corbin said to be brave. I was trying, despite the guilt eating at me.
“And now, you’re my queen,” he said softly, leaning down to me. I should’ve pulled away, but I couldn’t. I was a prisoner in his arms as we moved on the dance floor. My heart fluttered wildly in my chest. It was the reaction I always had whenever were near one another.
“I am,” I breathed out.
“So…” Brax cleared his throat a moment later. “You and Corbin seem close.”
“A bit,” I answered, giving him a smile. I hoped I wasn’t about to have the same conversation with him I’d already had with Lance. “We hang out from time to time. He’s been needing help with his calculus, so I’ve been helping him when he gets stuck.”
“I bet,” Brax muttered. I pretended like I didn’t hear him.
“We just click as friends.”
“Just friends?” he pressed.
“Just friends,” I repeated, giving him another smile.
“What were you two talking about tonight while you were dancing?”
“I don’t know,” I shrugged, wishing everyone would just get along, so I wouldn’t have to rehash the same conversation over and over. “He told me to have fun and smile and be happy. He said I looked beautiful, and he voted for me for queen. Then we talked about maybe catching a movie together when I get a chance because I mentioned wanting to see that new scary movie that’s playing at the cineplex. Lance doesn’t want to see it, so he said I should see if one of my other friends wanted to go. But Corbin and I didn’t make any definite plans for it. Why?”
“Just wondering. You two just seemed close. Figured I’d ask, so I’m not stepping on too many toes here dancing with you.” His smile was tight and didn’t reach his eyes. He thought I liked Corbin? No! No way! Corbin was just my friend.
“I wouldn’t care what they had to say about it,” I replied, feeling my face reddening again. Damn my nerves! “I mean, me and Corbin are just friends. So, no extra toes.”
