I blinked and focused my attention on him. "Yes?" My voice cracked.
Nate glanced around the dance floor. When he spotted Alec, a shadow fell across his face. He turned back to me and glared. "What's going on between you and that guy?"
"Nothing. I don't even know him." It sounded weak, but it was true.
Nate puffed his chest out. "I'm going to take care of him."
"No, Nate. There's nothing to take care of." He yanked his arm away and started in Alec's direction. I rushed after him and grabbed his shoulder. "Don't do this."
He spun around, his voice full of rage. "I'm sick of that dude."
"Please, don't make a scene," I pleaded.
"But—"
"You said I needed to relax and enjoy this evening, right?" I pulled him toward me. "Let's dance and forget about him. Okay?" I smiled and said, "Please?"
He reached out and ran his fingers along my neck. "All right. Just you and me?"
"Yes."
We started dancing again, but my thoughts weren't focused on Nate—they were on Alec. As we turned, I slipped a glance back to where Alec leaned against the doorjamb, sipping punch. I slyly scanned the area, trying to spot his date, but I didn't see anyone.
Who comes to prom alone?
He tossed his cup in the trash, and then his gaze was on me. Again. He seemed to be following me, watching me. What does he want? No way was he some dedicated reporter. There was definitely something more to him. A lot more.
Ms. Neal, in a too-tight, too-short black dress stepped onto the stage. Refusing to make eye contact with her, I focused on her flaming red stiletto heels while nerves pricked in my arms and tingles settled in my hands.
Why does she make me so nervous?
"It's time to announce our prom royalty," she said in her husky voice.
Everyone clapped, and a few guys whistled. Erin and Charlie walked over and stood by us while we waited for the crowning. I glanced around the ballroom.
Ms. Neal opened an envelope. "I'm happy to announce that our prom king this year is Nate Cramer." The spotlight found us and settled on Nate. He gave me a look and shrugged. With a grin, he sauntered up to the stage. He stood in front of the crowd, smiling and drinking in the attention. It hadn't occurred to me that Nate might be king. For a moment, I wished I would be the queen, but I knew better.
"Now for the queen." Ms. Neal ripped open the next envelope. "It's my pleasure to announce that Chantelle Austin is our prom queen." Applause erupted as Chantelle sashayed to the stage. She reminded me of a cat—sleek black hair, large, expressive eyes, and a voice that purred every time she spoke. Her body looked much more mature than mine. I noticed a flicker in Nate's eyes as she approached the stage. A surge of jealousy ran up my back, but I reminded myself that Nate had chosen me to take to prom. He'd chosen me.
"We'll now have the royal dance for the king and queen." Ms. Neal stepped down and instructed the band to begin. Nate and Chantelle took their place in the center of the room. They sidled up much too close, seeming to be way too comfortable in each other's arms. I needed to get out of there.
"Where are you going?" Erin called after me, but I kept walking toward the double-doors in the back of the room. I didn't want to see my boyfriend dance with Chantelle.
The nip of the crisp April air reminded me that it wasn't yet time for warm summer nights. I walked to the edge of the deck and took a few steps down toward a grove of trees. I was suddenly aware of someone else's presence. I turned and there he was.
Alec looked like a Greek god in his tux. His dark hair curled around his ears. Even in the half-darkness, his gaze grabbed me.
"Why are you following me? For your story?" I asked with an accusing tone.
Silence.
"You aren't on the school paper are you?"
Again, he said nothing.
I knew it. "So what—you're stalking me?" I kept my distance.
"Not exactly."
"Then what, exactly, are you doing? My boyfriend doesn't like this." Nate would freak out if he saw us talking. I was almost grateful Nate was dancing with Chantelle. Almost.
"I'm sure he doesn't like me."
"What do you want, anyway?" I tried to stay focused on making him give me an answer, but it was hard considering that when I looked at him I forgot my name.
"I need to talk to you."
"About what?" Stay firm. Do not think about his broad shoulders, his smile, or his thick, wavy, makes-me-want-to-run-my-fingers-through-it hair. And, no matter what, do not think about his intensely-blue eyes.
"You're in—"
"Crystal, are you out here?" Erin's voice carried through the grove.
"I have to go."
"Wait." He grabbed my hand. I tried to ignore the hot, rapid energy surges that exploded up my arm.
I drew my hand quickly from him. "I can't talk to you. I need to get back to Nate."
"What's going on out here?" Erin asked as she approached us.
"Nothing," I said. "Let's go back inside."
She stepped up to Alec and took a rigid stance. "Leave her alone or . . ."
"Or what?" he said without flinching.
Erin tapped his chest with one finger. "Let's just say you don't want to mess with me." It sounded so menacing—I'd never heard Erin say something like that.
Trying to keep the situation from escalating, I grabbed Erin's arm. "This is ridiculous. Nothing is going on. Come on." We started toward the building.
"I need to tell you something," Alec called after me.
"No." I yelled over my shoulder. "Leave me alone."
Erin and I hurried toward the back doors. I didn't want Nate to find out I'd talked to Alec, which would freak him out over nothing. As I entered the ballroom, I assured myself that whatever I had felt when Alec touched my hand was a figment of my imagination. I didn't want anything to ruin the night ahead.
"Where were you?" Nate asked as I made my way over to him.
"I needed some air."
A smirk grew on his lips.
"What?" I asked.
"You were jealous." He tickled me around my waist, and I fell into his arms. "Don't worry. Chantelle was yesterday's news."
His admission stabbed me
"You are the only one I want." He cupped my chin in his hand. "You and me—we belong together."
I was still reeling. "You and Chantelle?"
He shrugged.
"You used to date?" How many girls had he "dated," or whatever he called it?
"Uh, yeah." He laughed but then sobered when he saw my expression.
Maybe I was just another conquest after all—a challenge. Maybe he was playing me. Tears of disappointment built up behind my eyes.
"Crystal," he said, putting his hands on my shoulders, "she doesn't matter to me. No one does, but you. You're not like anyone else and I only want to be with you. Forever."
I took a step back and bit my lip. While I wanted to believe that he was telling me the truth, I didn't know if I could. Besides, I wasn't ready to make a serious commitment. I had plans after graduation. I wanted to be on stage. I wanted to perform.
But the way he talked about our future . . .
Erin broke into my thoughts. "You guys gonna stand there staring into each other's eyes all night, or what?"
I glanced at Erin. "I need to use the restroom. Come with me."
"Can't girls ever go to the bathroom without a friend?" Charlie asked, shaking his head.
"Don't be too long," Nate said. "I'll miss you."
I pulled Erin to the bathroom with me.
As soon as we were in the spacious waiting area, she asked, "What's wrong?"
"Nate is acting weird. I'm getting vibes from him like . . ."
Erin stepped over to the mirror and checked her hair. "What do you mean?"
Changing the subject, I peered at Erin and asked, "Did you know that Nate and Chantelle used to date?"
Erin laughed. "Yeah."
"So he was with both Jasmine a
nd Chantelle?"
Erin didn't say anything.
"How many more?"
Erin turned from the mirror and raised her eyebrows."If you want to know about all of Nate's girls, you'd better plan on being here a while."
"I've heard rumors."
Erin shook her head. "Not rumors."
"Then why would he date me? I'm not like—"
"Chantelle? Jasmine? Lauren? Janie?" She paused. "Should I go on?"
I didn't say anything. My stomach turned upside down.
"Maybe he's never experienced true love before." Erin smiled and patted my arm.
Through the tears in my eyes, I couldn't tell whether she was serious.
"Nate loves you," Erin said. "You're different from any of the other girls. He doesn't want a one-night stand with you. He wants something more. This is the real deal. Can't you see that?"
I shrugged. "Maybe."
"Give in to your feelings for once and enjoy yourself. You only get to experience your senior prom once. You're with a guy who loves you. He's made big plans. It'll be a night you'll never forget. Go with it."
Erin made sense, but when I looked at her, for a split second, her eyes were dull again.
"What?" Erin gave me a quizzical expression.
"Nothing." I tried to cover, but that lifeless look in her eyes made my skin prickle.
"You probably wanted to tell me how hot I look, right?' Erin laughed.
A feeling of foreboding, like the one I'd had at Erin's house when I first saw her tattoo, encompassed me, reminding me of my mom's warning.
What is going on?
"Hey." Erin waved her hand in front of my face. "You're zoning out."
I blinked.
"You feeling okay?"
"Yeah, I'm okay." I shook the eerie weight from my shoulders so I could focus on the dance. Nate had gone to so much trouble, and I didn't want to ruin it for him by flipping out. And I didn't want to upset Erin just because I'd overreacted.
Stop imagining things. Stop seeing things that aren't there. Stop being so dramatic.
I assured myself that my mom was being over-protective, that her warning had nothing to do with prom. I'd dreamed about this night for so long, and I wasn't about to wreck it. I followed Erin back into the ballroom. We reached Nate and a group of other guys.
Nate stepped over and pulled me into his arms. "I missed you."
"Nate, you're holding me too tight. I can't breathe."
"I want you close to me." He smiled and kissed me, but his tight hold felt suffocating.
The band started playing a slow song. Nate finally let go of me, and I stepped back, feeling relieved. "Let's dance," he said.
As we swayed to the music, I started to calm down. Nate caressed my back and leaned his head into mine, his lips touching my ear. His hot breath sent a shiver along my neck. "I love you, Crystal. When the dance is over, I have a surprise for you. To show you how I feel."
My mind went crazy trying to figure out what the surprise could be.
"I wanted to do it in a special way, but with your curfew . . ."
"I can stay out until 2:00."
"I know, but I had the whole night planned. It's something very important, and I want it to be just right." His whispered breath tickled my ear.
"I need to be home by—"
"It's one night. That's all I'm asking for. Please?"
"I—"
"It would mean so much to me." The warmth of his lips on my ear sent vibrations along my neck. "Don't worry about curfew. Stay out with me. I promise you won't regret it." His smooth voice lulled me.
I lost myself in the moment. In his words. This was prom, after all—a night to remember.
One night won't hurt, will it?
Suddenly, the guitarist started plucking his strings and the drummer increased the beat as they played a fast song pulling me out of my stupor. I let out a breath and wiped my flushed cheeks. We stayed out on the dance floor for the next several songs until Nate said he had to use the restroom.
"I'll get something to drink," I said.
As Nate left the dance floor, I made my way over to the refreshment table. I ladled pink lemonade into my cup, feeling someone behind me. I turned around, expecting to see Nate, but instead found Alec. Not again.
"We didn't get to finish our conversation." His voice was subdued.
I didn't let myself look into his eyes. "I have nothing to say to you."
"But I have something to say to you."
"Why? You're not on the paper. I don't even know you." And I didn't want Alec to distract me from Nate.
"But, I need to talk to you."
I looked at him and was immediately sorry for doing that, because I had to fight the magnetic lure of his eyes.
"Please," he said with insistence.
I broke from his gaze and walked away from the table. He followed closely behind.
"We need to go somewhere private."
"I'm not going anywhere with you, especially not alone," I said, emphasizing my words with my hands.
"Please, I have something important—"
"No." I braved another look at him. "In case you haven't noticed, I'm here with my boyfriend."
"Yes, I've noticed." I tried to read his strange expression, but couldn't and, even worse, I couldn't convince my heart to stop thumping or my mind to stop wondering what it would be like to dance with Alec and feel his arms around me. Stop it. Now.
Though I wasn't very good at it, I tried to be assertive. "If you know I'm with my boyfriend, you should assume I won't leave with someone else. I'm here with Nate, and I'm leaving with Nate."
Alec leaned in so close that the spearmint on his breath drew my attention to his lips. "You can't trust him."
"What are you talking about?"
"Don't leave with him tonight," he whispered. Alec seemed guarded, as if he wanted to say something, but couldn't.
I jerked my head back. "Why not?"
"Because."
"Oh, that explains it." He wasn't making any sense. Nothing about him did. I finally cleared my throat and said, "I don't know who you are or why you're saying these things about Nate, but he'll be back any minute, and I don't want to upset him." Besides, I didn't like being so close to Alec. It made me feel all mixed-up inside.
"But—"
"Really. Leave me alone. I don't have anything to say to you." I spotted Nate by the door and rushed over to him without looking back at Alec.
"You missed me, didn't you?" Nate said with a smile.
"Yes." I reached over and interlocked my arm with his. I hoped Alec would get the message and leave me alone.
"Just finishing up the plans for tonight," Nate said. "It's almost midnight. The dance will be over, and then it's time for Plan Nate." He ran his finger along my cheek and down my neck. Goosebumps erupted on my arms.
The band played a slow song for the last dance, and I realized that my senior prom was about to be over. I'd looked forward to my senior year for such a long time, and now it was almost finished. I still had the play and graduation ahead of me, but prom would soon only be a memory. I was glad I had shared it with Nate, even if the night bordered on the peculiar side.
Ms. Neal thanked everyone for attending, and then bright lights lit up the room, sending the darkness away. I squinted at the brightness because it hurt my eyes after the dim lighting.
Charlie, Erin, Nate, and I met up in the parking lot. "We'll see you at the cabin in a bit. We need to make a food run," Charlie said with a grin.
My stomach knotted, and my mom's warning sounded in my ears. Being alone at the cabin with Nate didn't seem like a smart idea. "Nate, I don't think—" I started.
He put his fingers to my lips. "I have something special planned, remember? Everyone will be over after your surprise." He brushed his lips against mine. "I can't wait."
It only took a few minutes to drive to the cabin because it was on the resort property where the dance had been held. It was nestled between some
pine trees and set off from the road.
I walked inside the dusty-smelling cabin with its leather couch, kitchenette, and flat-screen TV. Two other doors led to what I assumed were a bathroom and bedroom. A vase filled with red roses sat on the small dining table. "Beautiful roses."
"For a beautiful girl," Nate said.
"Thank you." No one had ever given me flowers before—especially a whole bouquet of velvety red roses. I inhaled their sweet scent.
Nate shut the door. He removed his tux coat and laid it across the back of the couch. He loosened his tie and took it off. "These tuxes are so uncomfortable. Felt like I was choking all night."
A nervous laugh fell out of my mouth. "When will Erin and Charlie be here?"
"In a little while." He kicked off his shoes. "Want something to drink? There's root beer in the fridge. I know that's your favorite."
"Sure." My feet felt set in cement.
Nate opened a cupboard and retrieved a glass. He filled it with bubbly soda. He walked over to me with the drink in his hand, but tripped over the throw rug, spilling it down the front of my dress. I jumped back in shock as the icy root beer hit my skin and soaked my dress with a big brown stain.
"Oh, Crystal. I'm so sorry." He quickly handed me a wad of paper towels.
I wiped at my dress, cringing as the cold soda trickled down my chest inside my dress. "That's okay."
He looked around. "I think there's a robe in the bathroom if you want to put it on and get out of your wet dress."
"No, thanks." I wiped at my dress some more. "I'm sure it'll dry."
"You don't want to be in that wet dress all night, do you? Let me get the robe for you." He walked over to the bathroom and returned with a white, terry cloth robe. "Here."
I took the robe and placed it over the back of the couch. "I'll be fine."
"But—"
"Really. It's already drying." Even though it was wet and sticky, I wasn't planning to take my dress off until I got home. Period.
He worked his jaw. "Whatever you want. I can get you another glass of root beer."
"I'm okay." I glanced at my watch, hoping Erin and Charlie would show up and help dissipate the thick, awkward air. My heart ping-ponged inside me.
Nate stepped close, igniting my nerves and sending intense tingles to my fingertips. "No need to be so nervous," he said in a calm, reassuring voice. "You've been jumpy all night."
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