A knock at my bedroom door startles me. I hope it’s not Huxley. He’s meant to wait at the bottom of the stairs for me.
“Come in,” I call out.
It’s my dad.
He stops short when he sees me, and a soft smile appears on his face. It’s been a long time since I’ve brought happiness to him and not let him down. My relationship with Huxley has affected a lot more than my sanity.
“Wow, you look sensational,” he chokes out, and then clears his throat.
“Thank you.”
He steps into my room, somewhere he hasn’t been in years, when he would read me bedtime stories and do all the funny voices. He sits at my desk and looks completely uncomfortable.
“I want to talk to you before Huxley arrives and whisks you away. You haven’t spoken to us about which college you’ve applied to. You spend so much of your time up at the big house, we assumed you had your mail going there since we haven’t seen any acceptance letters come here.”
My stomach drops.
A moment ago, I made him happy when he saw me. When he hears what I have to say, the happiness is going to vanish very quickly.
“Can we talk about this tomorrow, Dad? Huxley will be here any moment.”
“Will you even be here tomorrow?” he snaps, and I step back, deserving every snapped syllable from his mouth. “It’s like me and your mother don’t have a child anymore. We don’t even support you anymore. I noticed the payments on your car were paid up months ago. Huxley, I imagine. You don’t come to us for school money, your credit card hasn’t been used in months. Does he pay for everything, Allison?”
“Yes.”
“That’s not healthy, sweetheart. I’ve been hearing things around town, and while I’m not happy about hearing you’re fighting in public with your boyfriend from Mrs. Busybody, the cashier at the store, it’s the only way I know you’re okay these days. You don’t even answer your phone that much. We only know you go to school because they don’t call us.”
“I know, I’m sorry. I’ll do better, I promise.”
“Teenage relationships are everything, I remember that much. I was one, and me and your mom ran around everywhere, but we didn’t isolate ourselves from everyone for each other. It’s not right.”
“I know, Daddy. I’m sorry.”
Finally, there’s a knock at the front door, and I sigh with relief that Huxley is here, affectively bringing this father-daughter conversation to an end, only because I don’t want to disappoint him further.
Slapping his hands on his knees, he makes a show of getting up and offers his arm. I gladly slide mine through his and we walk out onto the landing together.
“I know you love him, but I pray every night that he’s not the one I walk you down the aisle to. He may be rich, his family may own this town, but he doesn’t get to own you. Remember that. It’s always you first before men, before school, before anything. You.”
I can’t help it, a small tear falls over my cheek and he wipes it away, just like he used to do when I was little.
“I do love him, but I’m not blind, Daddy. One day I’m going to leave this town, but for now, I’m going to go to prom with him, and I’m going to try and not hurt you and Momma anymore.”
He presses a quick kiss to my cheek, and then nods.
“You should get going. You don’t want to miss your big night.”
Pulling his arm from mine, I walk down the stairs and there’s Huxley, standing tall beside my mom.
Between the talk with my dad, and the dead emotion I’ve come to see in Hux’s eyes, my mom is the only one left who is genuinely happy to see me.
Clasping her camera in her hands, I cross my fingers, hoping Huxley plays nice and lets her have her moment taking our picture.
I relax more and more as he stands with me by the fireplace and by the door, and then he’s had enough.
He doesn’t promise to have me home because he won’t drop me off here after prom. Thomas and Regina have conveniently gone on a cruise so Huxley can have the house to himself, and he’s taking advantage by throwing the biggest party ever. His invitations have reached everyone at school, and not only those he deems important enough to grace his doorstep. It’s all the school has been talking about for the last month.
He opens the limo door, and I slide in and across the back seat. He slams the door a little harder than necessary, keeping to his side of the seat.
“Are you even going to compliment the dress, or me?” I ask him.
“You already know I like it. I wouldn’t have chosen it if I didn’t, and as far as you go, you wouldn’t be my girlfriend if you weren’t beautiful. Stop being needy.”
Needy?
Biting so hard on my tongue, I clench my nails into my palms to keep the building anger going.
“Can we please have a good night? It’s prom, Huxley.”
“We would have if you’d gotten ready at my place. Instead, you had me driving all over town to pick you up.”
So that’s what this is about? He’s sulking.
“It’s how it should be. Please, I want to have fun with you.”
I’ve dreamed about this since I first got with Huxley, the possibility of going to prom with him, and now my dream is turning into a nightmare.
“Beg,” he sneers, rolling his head slowly so he’s finally looking at me.
“Huh?”
“Beg me, my little Bug.”
“Why do you do this?” I cry out, not letting any tears fall.
This boy is not ruining my make-up on prom night.
“Do what?” He grins, but he’s not happy.
“Ruin everything,” I hiss, doing my best not to gain the driver’s attention.
Huxley doesn’t care about such things because he honestly doesn’t remember the driver exists. He’s so spoilt, he probably believes the car is driving itself.
“I’ll ruin you soon enough if you don’t shut up,” he grouses, staring out the blacked-out window.
I look out of my window, not that I can see anything, and wish I could go home and talk about colleges far from here with my dad. I know better than to ask. If he knows I want to go home, he’ll latch on tighter.
The silence drags on, but thankfully, my house isn’t far from the school. The limo comes to a stop and Huxley waits for the driver to come and open his door. I don’t move until Huxley swings his legs out and deftly pulls himself out of the car. Sliding across the back seat, I want to verbally slap Huxley as hard as I can to knock some sense into him. But then it would bring me down to his level. Instead, I promise myself I’m not going to worry about him tonight. It’s prom, the only one we get. I’m not going to have it tarnished because he’s acting like a petulant child.
However, like always, his moods fit the situations we’re in and the places we’re at, so when I stand, he winds his arm around my waist, pulling me close as the driver tips his hat and closes our door.
“I’m sorry, okay. I don’t like it when you’re not with me.”
“It was for a couple of hours and now we’re together. Can we please smile?”
He bares his teeth and smiles his most sarcastic smile to date.
“Let’s go.”
Regina donated the funds for this year’s prom, no doubt because this year is Huxley’s year, as she’s never done it before.
The school hall has been transformed. It looks like a winter wonderland, even though it’s summer, and everything sparkles. It screams Regina Bailey. Perhaps her donations came with stipulations.
We walk by the photo stand and I come to a stop.
“Keep walking, Bug. I’m not standing there like a prick to have a photo done with you. We have many of them.”
“Not at prom,” I defend.
“Your mom has some.”
“That’s not the same.”
“It’s all you’re getting.”
“I thought you were sorry,” I snap.
“Guess I wasn’t.”
All his f
riends are around the centre table, and two chairs are left for me and Huxley.
I pull out my own chair, and Huxley doesn’t even bother to scoot me closer like he usually does when we sit.
Kayleigh is grinning, so happy with Craig all over her, nuzzling his lips into her neck. Even Dash’s date is happy. Ryder’s date is too busy staring at herself in her compact mirror to notice he’s staring at me. As usual, the only ones who aren’t happy are me and Huxley.
There’s a change in music and Craig stands up.
“Come on, babe. We have to dance.”
Kayleigh is all too happy to oblige, and they disappear onto the dancefloor. Perhaps if Huxley danced, he’d loosen up and have a good time. The song isn’t too fast-paced, so he’ll be fine.
I turn in my seat and he’s already staring at me.
“Don’t bother asking, I’m not dancing.”
For Christ’s sake, this night is meant to be perfect. My bottom lip wobbles until I mash them together into a tight line.
“Don’t let any tears fall, Bug. Smile. You’re the one who wants to have fun.”
“Leave me alone.”
I can’t bear to be near him right now. Sliding my chair back, I grab my clutch purse, mumbling something about needing to pee.
Escaping to the bathroom, I take the few moments to berate myself for being pathetic as I wash my hands.
I finish up and head back to the hall. The corridor is empty, and half the lights are out. I nearly scream when I’m yanked into an unlocked classroom until Ryder comes into view and places his hand over my mouth. He looks out of this world beautiful in his tux tonight, and it only leaves me feeling worse.
“Don’t scream, it’s only me.”
“What are you doing?” I whisper, looking over my shoulder to the now closed door.
He walks across the room and moves the tables to the side, clearing a space. He pulls out his phone and scrolls, tapping away, and then lays it on a nearby table as a song begins. The melody is slow and haunting, and he holds out his hand for me to take.
“I would take an ass-kicking to have one dance with you, and it makes me a selfish prick because I know you’d endure far worse if he catches us.”
I step toward him and take his hand. He swings me against him and rests his hand on my lower back. I place my hands around his neck, and we start swaying to the music.
“Every girl deserves at least one dance at prom. I couldn’t let you miss out.”
He rests his chin on the top of my head as we sway comfortably together. I go back to the day when he came up to me in the lunch hall, when he told me my hair was soft, and that he was going to marry me one day. When he goes out of his way to do this for me, when he knows it will get him into trouble, a bunch of regrets drown me.
I wish this moment could last forever.
“If I only get to have one dance tonight, I’m glad it’s with you.”
“So am I,” he agrees.
He smells so nice as I rest my head against his chest. Everything about him is nice, it’s easy. There have been a few times I’ve wondered what it would be like to be in a relationship with him, and each time I’m left racked with jealously when I know it will never be, that he’ll experience it with someone else.
His stance is calm as we dance, but I can feel his heart pounding away, giving his nerves away, and I’m glad I’m not the only one.
“I—”
Pulling back, I stop him from saying anything. Nothing will change, and this dance is all we’re going to have. I don’t want it to end on a bad note.
“Don’t say anything. Play the song again and hold me.”
It’s selfish, I know, but I can’t leave him yet.
“We only have time for one dance. He’ll come looking if you’re gone too long.”
“Where does he think you are?”
“Fucking my date in one of these empty classrooms.”
I frown, hating the image I now have stuck in my head.
“Hey, I’m not, though. Clearly, I’m here with you.”
“It’s stupid of me, I’m sorry.”
He places his hand on my cheek, his heat scorching my skin, deep into my soul. His eyes aren’t cold or mean like Huxley’s. His are warm, and dance around as he smiles at me.
“You’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen, and you have no idea how filled with jealousy I am at seeing you with him every day, especially when I know how unhappy you are.”
“I’m not unhappy.”
“Yes, you are. I see it every day you’re with him. One day, he won’t be around, and I fucking pray that I am. All I want is the knowledge that I have a chance with you…one day.”
I swallow, not sure what to say.
“Promise me you’ll finish it with him and leave this town for college.”
How am I meant to promise him I’ll leave town and give him a chance one day?
“I promise I’ll make the right decisions for me,” I say.
“I hope they bring you to me.”
If nothing ever comes of this moment, I will still treasure this night with him in this classroom. It’s the most thoughtful thing someone’s ever done for me. Leaning up on my tiptoes, I press my lips to his cheek and torture the both of us by keeping them on him for a few seconds longer than deemed appropriate.
“Please go back to him before I keep you forever.”
His voice is strained, and as we both move at the same time, his hardness brushes against my hip.
“Thank you for tonight.”
I cross the classroom and jog down the corridor, back to the dance. My heels tapping against the tiled floor echo around me, and then music fills my ears when I open the door into the hall.
Huxley is where I left him, only now he’s talking to Dash, not missing me at all. Ryder and I could have had time for another dance.
Ryder
* * *
Five Months Later
Another fucking funeral, another black cloud looming over the town. Only this time, I’m paying my respects to the deceased.
Mr. Dwyer passed away last week, and I got the call three days ago from his wife. The town shunned him after he shot Huxley. He didn’t need the world to know why he pulled the trigger, and now they never will. I’ll never tell another soul what happened, and I doubt Allison will. She’ll want to save the boys the gossip and embarrassment. At Mr. Dwyer’s gravesite, Mrs. Dwyer and I are the only ones to say goodbye, and the priest as he reads his piece on Dwyer’s life.
Small whimpers come from beside me, and I fold my hands together in front of me. Rain falls limply and lands softly on my coat. Mrs. Dwyer stands daintily, holding an umbrella above her as she sniffles into her tissues.
The priest finishes the service, and I’m still shocked we’re the only two people here. Trenton loved his grandfather. He was the only part of the plan that set guilt in my heart. He won’t understand his motives until he’s old enough to hear them, to learn what truly happened to his mother, and it won’t be me who tells him.
Allison knew the truth, though, and she’s not here. I’m surprised she didn’t sneak in an appearance. I don’t know what I expected from her. The past five months have been either torture of not checking up on her, or the best time of my life, where I’m free to think of only myself. At first, it was strange not knowing anything, but as the days passed, everything became easier.
Then the call from Mrs. Dwyer came, and it was like I hadn’t left town, and the last five months were nothing but a day or two. Hence why I booked myself into the hotel on the town’s border and told no one I was coming for the service. I haven’t even spoken with Dash in a while. Allison was right, she needed her time, and without knowing it, I needed this time for me, and I realise I need more. I need to find my own way and meet someone who falls in love with me, who chooses me over everything and everyone.
Walking Mrs. Dwyer to her car, guilt tugs at me once again, and I slip my hands into my jacket pockets.
; “Are you sure you’re going to be okay?”
“I’ll be fine. I just want to be home. Being alone isn’t the worst thing in this life.”
I tend to agree. Being alone is sometimes the only remedy you need. She slips into her seat behind the wheel and shoves the key into the ignition. A splash of rain hits the tip of my nose, and before she drives out of the cemetery, her eyes meet mine, and the weight of our shared secret stretches between us. I back away from the car as she takes off. I won’t see her again. I hope she finds a way to live without drowning in grief and pain.
The heavens open up and I’m soaked through before I make it to my car. In the far corner of the cemetery, I can just about make out the top of the Bailey Crypt. A peace washes over me like soap and warm water, knowing he’s rotting away in there, surrounded by cold stone, just like his heart.
“Okay, I’ll be back in the office tomorrow. Once I have my eyes on the file, I’ll call you and we’ll arrange our next move.” Since I’m not working for Huxley anymore, I’ve been edging my way into the property game. With most of the property and businesses now belonging to Allison in Bailey Cove, the city is fair game, and the money is there for the taking.
“We made a lot of money last month, Keogh. I want more this month.”
Frank Cash is a greedy bastard, but where Huxley was ruthless in going about his business, Frank is easy-going, his laugh light and genuine. I didn’t trust it at first, but we get on well as businessmen.
“Like I said, I’ll call you. More money is a given.” I laugh into the phone and fire up my laptop.
I have the file on my Cloud, but Frank is old-school, and I can buy myself some time dealing with paper. When in actual fact, it gives me a chance to deal more business.
The call ends and I check the time. I ordered room service an hour ago, and just as I go to call down to reception, someone knocks at the door.
Quickly typing in my password, the laptop loads, and I button up my shirt before I answer the door.
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