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“AND THIS YEAR’S HOMECOMING King? Luke Donovan!”
As my mother calls my name, the gym erupts in applause. I grip Christy’s hand tighter. The junior class makes a spectacle of themselves, stomping on the floor and whistling like they’re at a hoe-down. Several girls scream my name. The skin at the back of my neck prickles, and every muscle in my body tightens.
Damnit, why did it have to be me?
I really hate this crap. At least I have a lot of support amongst the student body. I’m sure it looks like favoritism since I’m Principal Donovan’s son.
“Bro, get up there. The King needs a fancy crown!” Bridges nudges me forward.
Christy scowls. “This is so ridiculous! We should be up there together.” She’s a sophomore, and only juniors and seniors can win the royal honors.
Squeezing her hand, I sigh. “Relax. It’s just one dance.”
Reluctantly, she releases me. As I saunter toward the stage, my mother places the ridiculous golden trinket upon my head with a smile. Draping the Homecoming King sash over my shoulder, she gives me a hug.
Yeah, I’m already over it.
The crowd cheers once more, and Emily Jacobs, a senior and the newly crowned Homecoming Queen joins me on the dance floor. Walking toward her I hold out my hand as the soft beat of No Promises by Shayne Ward fills the gym.
She smiles. “You look nice, Luke.”
“Thanks, Em. You, too.”
Emily is one of the nicest girls I know. She isn’t a cheerleader or on the dance squad, but she’s the senior class president and well-liked by everyone.
I glance at my girlfriend and frown. She’s staring daggers at Emily. Jesus, the jealousy is getting a little old. Is Chris that insecure?
Placing my hands discreetly on Emily’s waist, I say, “So, where are you heading next year?”
Teeth whiter than snow accentuate her gorgeous smile as her strawberry-blond hair bobs near her chin. “Penn State. I got a full ride scholarship to their political science program.”
“That’s awesome. Great school.”
“It’s my dad’s alma mater, so I’m sure that helped.”
I laugh. “Your near perfect SAT score probably had more to do with it.”
She shrugs. “Do you know where you’re applying yet?”
“No, but I have a few scouts looking. I still have several meets and another year to go.”
She nods. “Definitely plenty of time.” She looks over her shoulder and winces. “Um, do you mind if we cut this short? My boyfriend is getting a little antsy.”
I stare at Chris throwing death stares my way and chuckle. “Yeah, I totally understand. Thanks for the dance, Em.”
As she heads for Brian Bastman, the resident politician of the junior class, I walk toward Christy, still sulking. I’ve hardly made it off the dance floor before she leaps into my arms.
Dramatic is the key word here.
I hug her. “See? Nothing to it. Just tradition.”
With a cute pout, she straightens the trophy upon my head. “You look good in a crown, baby. Too bad I wasn’t up there with you.”
Her exotic scent filters over me as the sequins of her shimmery gold dress catch my eye. Her sleeveless, floor length gown accentuates her toned arms and long legs beautifully. I finger the curls framing the sides of her face. “Damn, Chris, you’re gorgeous.”
The flecks of caramel in her hazel eyes glimmer as she touches a finger to my cheek. “So are you. We belong together.”
Drawing her into my arms, I grin. “Agreed.”
She lays her head upon my shoulder. “Luke?”
“Hm?”
She stares into my eyes as we gently sway with the music. “Were you serious when you said you were ready?”
My pulse races as I stop mid turn. “Um...”
She fingers the buttons of my suit coat. “My parents are visiting Josh all weekend.” Her pupils dilate as she trails a finger down my lapel to my belt.
My body reacts immediately. I swallow hard. “Fuck...”
I didn’t expect it so soon. Not that I’m not prepared. Always be prepared. But tonight?
It doesn’t matter. We both want this.
Don’t we?
Brushing a thumb across her cheek, I rasp, “Yeah, alright.”
A broad smile spreads across her face. Lacing her fingers with mine, she motions toward the door. “We can dance at my house if you’d like.” She winks. “I’ll be right back. Hannah needs to talk to me, and then we’ll go?”
I nod. As if in a trance, I head toward the coat check. My heart is pumping like I’m competing in the 400 individual medley. Holy shit. We’re really going to do it. Tonight.
All of a sudden, I catch a glimpse of a lonely girl sitting on a fold-up chair near the gym doors. The lights flash off golden curls piled delicately on top of her head. She twists around and stares at me. Her eyes widen.
My lungs seize. Mesmerized, I head toward her. “Holy crap, Pen?”
As she looks away, I swallow the lump in my throat. I’ve never seen her so dressed up. The deep pink gown she’s chosen hugs her curves beautifully. Anyone should be proud to have such a beautiful girl on his arm. I clench my fists. Where the hell is her date?
If that asshole dumped her here...
Sitting next to her, I nudge her shoulder. “Heya, Sunshine. What’re you doing here alone? You look amazing.”
A small gasp exits her plump lips as she pulls the bottom lobe between her teeth. So sweet and innocent. I can’t help but stare.
She plays with the small pearl nestled in the hollow of her neck. “Er, thanks.”
Tingles pour through my body. As my groin tightens, I quickly stand. What the hell is wrong with me? Not five minutes ago, I was staring at my girlfriend. Now, I can’t seem to get Penny out of my mind.
It has to be because of the plans Chris and I just discussed. Yeah, that’s it. I’m not attracted to my best friend’s sister.
Hell, no.
She gazes up at me, her brow drawn down in confusion. Kiss Me Slowly by Parachute comes on. Needing the distraction, I hold out a hand. “Um, do you want to dance?”
She glances around nervously. “Sure. Just for a minute. Brandon is getting me something to drink.”
I lead Penny through the crowd, my mind marled in knots. As we approach the dance floor, a few girls snicker. Squeezing Penny’s hand, I lift my chin and scowl. “What’re you looking at? You’ve never seen friends dance together?”
The girls’ eyes pop wide and they turn away. I shake my head. What is wrong with people?
“T-thanks.”
I scoff. Common decency is an odd thing to thank me for. “No problem. I’m glad you’re here tonight. You look like you’re having fun. Colt will love that. In fact...”
Pulling my mom’s compact camera from my pocket, I wrap my arm around Pen’s waist. As my hand grips her curvy hip, her light scent washes over me, launching flashbacks of the summers we spent playing together in the sunshine.
My hands are trembling. I sidetrack myself with the multiple buttons on the device. I’m so fucking nervous right now, I’m happy for the diversion. Remembering my task, I swallow and pull her closer. Pressing my cheek to hers, I line up the lens in front of us.
“Smile!” I release the shutter. The flash nearly blinds us. “Shit! Sorry, too bright.” Rubbing my eyes, I flip the camera around and check the picture. Pen’s gaze, wide and focused, is zeroed in on me like I’m crazy.
Maybe I am.
I laugh. “We might have to do that one over. You look scared to death.”
Her hand flutters near her chest. “W-why did you do that?”
Trying to distance myself from her sweet scent, I punch a few buttons on the back of the camera. “For Colton. I’ll give you a copy and you can send him one.”
“Oh. Okay, cool.”
I dart a glance at her. Her cheeks are the color of her dress—and her rosy lips. Every time she draws the bottom one between her teeth like an innocent schoolgirl my body reacts. She pushes her glasses up. My breath hitches.
Shit, this isn’t good.
“Luke! I’m ready.” Christy returns, startling me back to reality. She glares at Penny and stamps her foot. “What are you doing here? Where’s your date?”
Taking a step away from Pen, I roll my eyes. Really? Okay, so it was probably best that Christy found us before I did something stupid. I mean, what in the actual fuck was that?
“Chill out, Chris. We were taking a picture for Colton.” I show her the image on the back of my camera.
Frowning, Penny scans the refreshment area. “I’m not sure where Brandon went. He was supposed to get me some punch.”
Christy folds her arms across her chest and scowls. “Sure, he was.”
Grabbing her arm, I yank her away from Penny. “She was sitting by herself. I had to be sure she was okay. Where the hell is this guy, anyway? You told me he was safe!”
A loud huff exits Penny’s pursed lips. “You don’t always need to be the hero, Donovan. I told you I’m fine.” Her nostrils flare.
Shock hits me in the chest like a bullet. Holy crap, is Christy right? Do I take the protective shit too far?
Penny turns to Christy, ignoring me completely. “Thank you for setting me up with Brandon. He’s a nice guy. We’re having fun.”
Doing a one-eighty, Christy’s scowl turns into a syrupy smile that even I know is fake. I try to drape an arm around her, but she pushes me away. “I’m so glad! I knew you’d get along.” She tilts her chin up innocently. “What are you and Brandon doing after the dance?”
Worrying her hands around the small handbag she holds, Penny sends a glance over her shoulder. “I don’t know. I’ll have to ask Brandon. I have a curfew, so probably not much.”
Christy links her arm with mine. “We’re heading to Hannah’s house if you guys want to stop by.”
Penny’s throat bobs as she searches the crowd again. “Um, I’m not really the partying type.”
I look at Chris incredulously. What the hell? Ten minutes ago, she’d all but jerked me off on the dance floor. Not that I’d mind if she bowed out, but she’s sending me mixed signals. “I thought we were going to—”
Brushing a hand across the front of my pants, Christy cuts me off with a purr. “We are. We can meet them there later if we go now.”
The lord of all bonfires singes my veins as her touch grows bolder. My pulse accelerates. “Yeah. Alright.” Kissing her cheek, I clutch her hand and wave at Penny. “We’ll see you at Hannah’s. We’ve got something to do first.”
Pulling Chris through the crowd, I try to calm my overly excited heart. The teasing is too much. It’s been going on for weeks. It doesn’t help that I’m having strange feelings about my best friend’s sister. There’s only so much a teenage guy can handle. And Christy is more than willing.
“Luke, wait! My coat?”
I halt. Taking a deep breath, I nod. “I’ll get it. Wait for me here, okay?”
A broad grin envelops her face. “Don’t worry, baby. I’m not going anywhere.”
As I take the ticket from her hand and head toward the coat check, I smooth my hair nervously. This is it. We’re going all the way.
I look back at Penny patiently waiting for her date, and I swallow hard.
Am I really ready for this?