“This was a good idea,” Halle said as I held her close.
“How so?” I asked.
“This way, none of us are jealous you didn’t ask one of us out.”
“Is everyone having a good time?” I asked.
“Yes. Tracy did a good job of matching us up. Ben is being the perfect gentleman,” she said, and then pulled her head off my shoulder so she could see my face. “What did you say to Zak?”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“He was behaving in his usual ‘Hollywood douche’ style. After you took him to the basement, he’s acted almost normal. If he was like this all the time, I might like him,” she admitted.
“I just pointed out that either Johan or I might end him. We then talked about him being a little old to be acting like he is.”
“Look at you, being the grown-up.”
“Bite me.”
The little witch bit my earlobe.
◊◊◊
After Prom, I took Adrienne and Hannah to their hotel.
“You sure you don’t want to come up?” Hannah asked.
“No. I made a promise to never get in the middle of someone’s relationship. While I had a great time, you’re both with someone else.”
“Your loss. Tyler gave me a free pass for the weekend,” Adrienne teased.
“She made me promise that the next time, she got to watch,” I shot back.
I kissed them both goodnight and watched them until their elevator came. If the two of them had gotten me inside the hotel, I’m not sure I would’ve had the willpower to resist them.
I told the driver to take me home so I could change, then let him go because I didn’t want to worry about him waiting for me. I grabbed the SUV and drove to Mona’s house for the after-party.
◊◊◊
There was a mix of people dressed casual and formal. I people-watched and observed an ordinary teen party. Couples broke up, and new ones formed. I was amazed at how well Johan and Leah seemed to be doing. I think she took him upstairs twice. My buddy was definitely whipped, and I couldn’t blame him.
Wolf also had hit it off with Sarah. I’d liked her ever since we met at model camp in New York. John and Cassidy seemed to be friends, as well.
Around one, Tracy showed up with all the girls except Sarah, Maria, and Leah.
“Take us to your farm,” she ordered.
It was good that I’d brought the SUV. We all loaded into the car and made the trek to my farmhouse. Grandma Dawson was waiting for us.
“I made some snacks,” she announced.
Turned out, ‘snacks’ were mostly something made with chocolate. I was happy Grandma had everything needed to make a ham sandwich. Everyone gathered around the kitchen table and told my grandma all about the night.
I looked around and felt the joy. I know that sounds silly, but I don’t know what else to call it. Seeing all their smiling faces and listening to them tell each other how much fun they had made me happy. Halle was right, this had been a good idea.
After my sandwich, they kicked me out for serious girl-talk. I arrived home to find my mom and dad talking and drinking coffee.
“Did you have fun?” Mom asked.
“It was almost perfect. Dad’s people treated us well, the band was fun to dance to, my friends had a good time, and I had two lovely dates.”
“You said
“On the way home from Grandma Dawson’s, it occurred to me that in one week’s time, I’ll be in Cuba. It just doesn’t seem like there’s enough time to hang out with my friends. Then I only have a year of high school left.”
“Enjoy it. While I had a great time in college, high school was special,” Dad said.
Duke nudged my arm, and I looked down at him.
“I better get him to bed.”
I left my mom and dad as they remembered their time in high school. It was nice to see them both smiling. Dad reached across the table and held my mom’s hand. I felt my throat catch as I realized that even after the year they’d had, they had found a way to put it behind them and love each other.
◊◊◊
I got undressed, crawled into bed, and fell asleep almost immediately. Something was making a noise, and it finally sank in that it was my phone. I felt like I’d been drinking because it took me a moment to focus while I struggled to wake up. It was Adrienne.
“I know it’s late, but could you come over?”
“Why, what’s up?” I asked.
“Just come over. I need to talk to you face-to-face.”
“Are you planning to try to talk me into something naughty?” I asked.
“Maybe,” she admitted.
“And you thought if you and Hannah were right there, I would fold?”
“Wouldn’t you?”
She had a good point. I’m not sure there’s a man alive who would turn the two of them down if they were looking at him like I knew they could. They were paid to look sexy. Dear Lord, why was I even considering this? Okay, that was simple. Why I was going to turn this down was the better question.
“You know I can’t,” I said.
“Fine, be that way,” she huffed.
“You’re not really mad, are you?”
She softly chuckled.
“No; if anything, it makes me respect you more. Go to sleep and dream about what you’re missing.”
“That is so unfair,” I said and hung up.
I must have been tired because I fell back to sleep.
◊◊◊ Sunday May 8
