“Emily you are going to make every girl jealous tonight. You’re simply stunning.”
“You’re too kind. Stop.” She gushes playfully.
We switch chairs and Thomas transforms my face to airbrushed perfection, he whispers in my ear with a thick Spanish accent and in his feminine voice, “You need none of this.” He spins my chair around for the big reveal. “Look what masterpiece I have created.”
He’s rimmed my eyes in shimmery gold and swept copper and fuchsia across the lids. It looks exotic, like the eye of a majestic Arabian princess. My lips are red with a touch of gold shimmer and my lashes have been lengthened to gravity defying lengths. I bat them in slow blinks trying to convince myself that it’s really me under all of this paint and shimmer.
“Brennen you look so beautiful.”
“No, no ladies, no tears, ju will ruin all of my hard work,” Thomas points out in a mock angry tone. I give her a long hug as Thomas blots my teary eyes.
Back in my room, we slip on our couture for the night. The cool white organza slides over my bare skin and sends shivers all over me. Emily and I zip each other up then turn and raise our arms up and bump our hips together in triumph.
Emily and I come downstairs after getting primped and poofed for hours. I crank up my stereo and put something funky on. My hips cannot resist getting "low, low, low,” to Flo rida. It doesn't take long until we're both acting like fools in the kitchen. I laugh as Emily uses a nearby column to fill in for Jesson. I wonder what he's in for tonight.
"So dish, has he even tried to kiss you yet?"
"No, which makes tonight all the more exciting." She squeals in anticipation. I wonder if he even likes her like that or if he's just using her as an excuse to be near me, to protect my mother's investment. I hope he doesn't break her heart. The doorbell rings, it must be them.
Sam takes my breath away in his white bowtie and black jacket. A subtle whiff a new cologne drifts up from his over starched collar and it takes all of my strength not to strip him down right here in front of the whole lot of us.
"Brennen Elizabeth Hale, tonight you outshine the stars. I can't take my eyes off of you, you're just so beautiful." Sam takes both of my hands and admires me from an arm’s length before kissing my lips as if I were made of glass.
Jesson doesn't look like himself. His hair is tidy and his face clean shaven. Tonight, he looks like the angel born from God's own breath that he really is. Emily's spellbound, her gaze lost somewhere between his cool blue eyes and the sparkle of his cuff link. He kisses her hand and entwines their fingers. The four of us, plus three invisible angels, pile into the limo. I find it amusing that the humans in this car are outnumbered, significantly, if I include myself in the "other" category.
After stopping at Em's house so her mother can photograph us in every pose conceivable, we finally arrive at the hotel. I make a vow to keep my eyes in this realm tonight. I don't want to have any clue what’s going on around me. Ignorance is bliss.
Our party heads up to the restaurant overlooking the Atlantic and one unforgettable sunset. Sam pulls out my chair, always the gentleman. A dizzying array of visions flash before my eyes nearly causing me to fall out of my seat. Memories of Elijah bombard me one after another. I grip the table willing them to go away. I want tonight to be perfect.
"Oh my God, " bursts from my lips sounding wholly desperate and needy. Elijah, a hammock and a setting sun far more glorious than this one, make for the steamiest uninvited day dream imaginable.
"Um babe, are you okay?" Sam asks with a look of utter confusion slapped on his face.
"I'm fine. Em, powder room?" I squeak out.
"Yes, let's check ourselves before dinner." She takes hold of my hand and drags me away thankfully before I can let another cry of need ring out.
"So, what was that all about?"
"Nothing I just thought I saw someone that I couldn't have."
"Like who, Channing Tatum?”
"Never mind, let's just get back out there."
Sam and Jesson both rise when we get back to the table. I can tell Emily is not used to dating a gentleman. That one small gesture, has probably caused her to anchor her affection for Jesson in stone. Not that I blame her, he’s kind, intelligent and handsome.
The waiter comes and fills our water glasses and takes our drink order.
“Let’s start a tradition. Every summer, no matter where we are, we will spend one weekend together.”
“Yes, I like the way you think Em’s,” Sam says before he squeezes my waist. He pulls in close to me and whispers in my ear, “I can’t keep my eyes off of you tonight, or my hands for that matter.” The heat from his breath adds kerosene to the flames already burning deep inside for him. I know Jesson just heard every word as he looks up from his water glass almost choking on his ice. Emily pounds him on the back vigorously and I laugh at his misfortune.
The waiter comes back to take out order. I pull him aside and ask him a question in private. He nods with an air of caution built around it. But agrees to honor my odd request after I slip a couple of twenties in his hand.
“What did you ask him?” Sam wonders out loud.
“Oh it’s a surprise.” I say shoving a piece of bread in my mouth. He sticks out his chin and I’m sure he’s trying to estimate the depth of weird his girlfriend may possess.
Dinner is delicious. I ordered the crab cakes like I always do in any seafood restaurant. After the guys get the check, the waiter returns with my to-go order.
“What’s that?” Sam’s lids lower. “Desert for later?”
“Nope.” I pick up the bag before he can. He sighs out in mock frustration.
“Come on let’s get a quick picture on the beach before the sun sets,” I offer. We make our way down to the beach, luckily for our hair, it’s not windy yet. We kick off our shoes and I lift my dress to keep from dragging it in the sand.
“Here give me your phone, I’ll get one of you two and then you can get us,” Emily says shooing us to the perfect spot. Sam pulls me in and kisses my lips on cue while Emily snaps away. He poses behind me sweetly holding me in his arms.
Emily and Jesson strike the sailor and nurse pose and he lays a kiss over her lips that has her leg held in midair and all. Wow, I didn’t see that one coming. I snap the perfect shot. I’m pretty sure I just captured Jesson’s first kiss ever. He releases her slowly and they both look a little stunned. Emily composes herself for the next picture and Jesson holds her hands for the shot. I’m so happy for both of them.
“Okay so do ya’ll want to know what’s in the bag?”
“Nah.”
“Nope.” Sam and Emily tease.
“Alright then I guess I’ll just throw it out.” I walk over to the trash can and Sam finally breaks.
“Okay give.”
A smile speeds across my face with the anticipation.
“In this bag there are four live crabs. One for each of us. You will name your crab, you will cheer for your crab, and the one who makes it to the sweet freedom of the Atlantic first, wins. The looser has to…”
“Spike the punch at prom,” Emily offers. I shake my head knowing some people drove here.
“The loser has to wear the crab for ten seconds.”
“Alright it’s on Hale.” Jesson says getting pumped up. I open the to-go boxes and release the small blue crabs. I name mine Elena. Sam draws four lanes in the sand and Jesson releases the rubber bands on their claws.
“You know you’re absolutely crazy right?” Sam teases.
“I already confirmed this with you, take me as I am or leave me for someone wholly sane and boring.” I retort. He points his crab in my direction with its claws open and ready to inflict pain.
“Get your crab away from Elena, she thinks he’s sexually harassing her.”
“Well get ready to eat crab dust because Jet is gonna leave her behind like the blue corps she is.”
We line our little guys up and Jesson whistles loudly to start th
e race. Commentating the whole thing like it was a NASCAR event.
“Jet gets a strong start out of the gate. Emily’s Nelly, is coming up fast with claws raised in glory. Elena hasn’t moved at all, maybe she’s a corpse after all. But wait, who’s this making his draft from behind Jet? Ooh, it’s Blue Fury, it’s almost as if he’s being threatened with a boiling pot of seasoned water with a side of drawn butter.”
I’m dying laughing listening to Jesson. We all are. We can hardly cheer were laughing so hard. But this adventure is about to bite me in the ass literally if my crab doesn’t pull her stuff together.
“Move your ass Elena!” Deep down I’ve always longed to say that. Elena glares at me with murderous glances. Inara is in hysterics too. My crab finally starts to run as if her life depended on it, coming in third. Jet is in last place, poor guy took a wrong turn.
“Wear it. Wear it,” we chant. Sam picks up the crab from the back and bravely offers it his finger.
“Ow! That really hurts.” He says through his laughs and squeals.
“Aw I promise to kiss it all better.” I say coyly. Jesson helps him remove the crab and releases it into the water. We’re still laughing when we go inside for the prom.
The prom committee spared no expense. The obvious theme of tonight is "Be Opulent." Three foot candelabras, dripping with crystals, adorn the tables, each surrounded by dozens of red roses. We find an empty table and the guys leave us to get drinks.
Emily and I size up the girls and their choice of formal wear as if we were obnoxious fashion gurus. I spot Ari Campbell in some skin tight gold lamé leopard print. “What’s Ari wearing? In true hooker fashion, she’s ruining animal print so bad, that even the monkeys won’t be seen in it by next fall,” I say causing Emily to burst out laughing.
“Sure they will if they can pull off drag as good as she can.”
“We’re so wrong.”
“I know, we’re awful.”
Sam returns with a glass of ice cold citrus soda for me.
“May I have this dance?” he asks.
“I’d love to,” I say taking his hand. A slow love song caresses out a melody, and Sam glides us along the dance floor. We don’t mind being one of maybe three couples on the dance floor. The only people I care about are at our table.
“You have the attention of every male in this room,” Sam says softly in my ear as we dance.
“I only care about yours.”
“Oh you definitely have my undivided attention, now and forever Brennen. I love you.”
“I feel like the luckiest girl in the world to have you in my life. I love you too.” He spins me in his arms as the song ends. Our love is magical, Sam blesses my lips with a soft kiss, despite the chaperone clearing her throat in his ear.
I finally get Jesson alone when the D.J tells us to dance with someone other than our date. The song is a swing and had it not been for that dance class our school offered in place of PE, I’d be clueless. Jesson seems to know lots of moves.
"I have to get a message to Elijah. Can you help me?"
"When he comes out, yes."
I tell Jesson everything that my mother told me. Before he can say anything in return, Sam cut's in.
"May I?" Jesson releases me into Sam's arms. I can't help but notice the shock in Jesson’s eyes as he does. He sweeps Emily up and leads her around the dance floor, her face engulfed in a smile. I hope he doesn’t lead her on if he has no intention of dating her.
"What were you and Jesson talking about so intently?" Sam asks.
"He wanted to know about my internship. I think he wants to get his foot in the door." More lies. Will they ever stop spilling from my mouth like water?
"I see." He nuzzles into my neck and inhales my scent. I bask in the intimacy his feathered breath on my collar fills me with.
Journal of E.M May 18th, 2013
It's heaven holding Brennen in my arms again. She looks stunning tonight, as I knew she would. Will didn't notice I was waiting in the restroom stall a few minutes ago. I knew he never followed Sam in all the way, something I'll have to chastise him with later on.
Sam will miss out on part of the night, but maybe I'll let him have the last dance. She brushes her soft lips over mine, causing my entire body to lurch to attention. Then again maybe I won't. I know she's in love with him, it's his lips she cherishes, his kiss, and his touch. But that's only because Nehemiah stole her memories of us. I know the real truth, and I know she's this way because she wanted to keep her promise to me.
Chapter 6 ~ Dance with the One
Sam finishes up the dance with a sultry kiss that has me lost in a dream. I don’t know which way is up and if it weren’t for him guiding me back to the table I’d probably run into a pole. How does he do this to me?
Emily and Jesson sit back down as well. I've got to get Jesson alone again.
"I can't keep my eyes off of you tonight. Did I mention how breath taking you are?" Sam whispers in my ear with a hot breath. He really is enamored by me this evening. I suppose I owe Thomas and Maggie a nicer tip.
"Thank you."
"Alright you two, there are other people in the room." Emily teases.
"If I can get everyone on the dance floor, we'll announce this year’s prom king and queen." Payton, Sam's ex, announces on stage.
"Who do you think will get the glory?" Emily wonders.
"Well the most popular couple in the school is probably Ari and Chris Sanchez. The quarter back always wins these things right. They were home coming king and queen."
"I don't know. They broke up and got back together more than a dotted line."
The sea of seniors in formal wear fills the dance floor. Sam presses his body in behind me, nuzzling my neck. It takes all my strength not to run upstairs with him right this minute and find a room. He trails a line of kisses down my neck that has me squirming in my four inch heels. He pulls me in closer and I find that I’m not the only one who feels this way.
“You’re blushing aren’t you?” he whispers so that only I can hear. I nod my head into him. Flames should be shooting from my dress right now from the fireworks going off inside of me.
"This year's king and queen are, Sam Montgomery and Brennen Hale."
The crowd erupts in cheer. I can't believe we won. I've only been a part of this school for a couple of years, and Sam only one. Of course everyone loves Sam.
"Oh dear." Sam grips my shoulder like he's in trouble.
"What?"
"Nothing, let’s go up."
The vice principal places crowns on top of our heads and the crowd parts the floor for us. "Just the Way You Are," comes on and a smile blooms on Sam's face.
When Sam and I dance, the world fades away, and it's just us out there. He must be shocked, normally we'd be spinning across the floor by now, and twisting and turning are way through the song. Not that I mind the way he's dancing now, his arms fuse our bodies together. The silky fabric of my dress glides over his expensive tux like they were trying to breed a new textile right here in this very room. There's a hunger in Sam's eyes that makes me wonder if my virtue will make it out of this hotel alive.
"After this, do you want to go for a walk on the beach?" he asks as his hand makes small circles in the curve of my back. I nod, lost in his scent, his touch, drunk off of his love. The song changes, ending our dance. He spins me around once more before dipping me down low and kissing me tenderly on the lips once more.
Sam leads me outside, taking a moment to remove his socks and shoes. I kick off my heels and he hides them under a chair by the pool.
"I'm going to miss you so much,” he says in his low register.
"I don't want to think about that right now."
It pains me all together at how the angels derived this whole plan to keep us apart. My own mother, forbidding me from marrying him, only drives home this fact.
"I know, love. I just wish you could see the bigger picture, what plans I have for us."
We walk hand in
hand along the damp sand, just at the water's edge. The hotel lights shine in the distance trying to call us home.
"Plans hm? I want to know all of your plans that involve me."
"Brennen, step away from him!" Elena and Inara appear, followed by Will. They surround us like a battle is about to ensue.
"What's going on?"
Why doesn’t Sam look surprised to see them at all?
Oh my God. The reality of what’s going on hits me like a Semi-truck on ice.
"Elijah, get out of the kid now!" Inara chastises.
“I'll go. Calm yourselvces."
"Elijah?" I ask and watch as Sam nods his head. Oh no, this is too weird.
"How could you do that to Sam, to me, for that matter?" I want to slap him, but I can't bring myself to hurt Sam's beautiful face. I clench my fists up by my side ready to clock him if he makes a move.
"You used to look at me the way you look at him now. I'm not sorry Brennen. I would do anything to have you feel the way you used to about me."
"I can't have this conversation with you while you're inside of my boyfriend. Get out now Elijah! I'll never forgive you for this." My eyes become blurred with tears. I take off back toward the hotel.
"Bren wait!" he calls after me but the others stop him in his tracks. I don't turn around. Elijah appears in front of me in an instant and I run straight into his artfully sculpted bare chest. Bless me.
The Keepers go to block him.
"Oh for heaven’s sake if he was here to kill me he'd have done it by now, so back off," I grumble out, sick of being guarded like the Hope diamond. I look back and see Sam passed out in the sand.
"He's fine. He'll be up in a few minutes."
"How could you do this to me Elijah? All of my memories of prom will forever be marred, and poor Sam won't even remember being crowned homecoming king." How did he think this would possibly turn out well for us?
"Elena, will you go back an hour in time and fix this? I won't possess Sam. You'll have your perfect night without me in it. I'll go now."
My Soul to Save (Soul Keeper) Page 5