Elizabeth shook her head. She should have known better than to trust him to be serious. Sighing, she held her hand out and let him take it. But once his grip surrounded her fingers, she realized he was anxious.
“Is that surprising?” He raised a brow.
Elizabeth watched his face in the dim light, wondering how long it would take for him to understand what was happening.
He frowned and followed her gaze back to the memory.
“Did you finish that CWA assignment?”
Beth Ann grinned. “Of course. Can’t graduate without passing Current World Affairs.”
He laughed. “It’s probably going to piss some people off when we blow the curve.”
She shrugged. “Not my problem. I researched that paper for months.”
Alex leaned against the lockers and his smile softened. “Yeah, that’s what I’ve always liked about you. More prepared than a Girl Scout.”
“Exactly what I always hoped you’d notice about me,” Beth Ann said with a dry tone. Then she blushed because it came out more flirtatious than she’d intended.
Alex smiled, looked down to the floor, then back at her. “Actually, I noticed a lot more than that.”
She raised a brow, trying and failing to control her grin. “I’m afraid to ask.”
He laughed, then sobered again. “So what are your plans for the night? I think you’re the only one I haven’t heard talk about dresses and makeup.”
“My plans include a hot bath, funny movies, and eating chips.” Beth Ann’s smile died. “I’m not going to the prom.”
“Well.” Alex awkwardly pulled two tickets from his pocket and held them up between them. “Would you go to prom with me, Beth Ann?”
Her expression froze a bit. “Did your date dump you?”
His eyes widened. “No. I, uh, didn’t have one.”
“I figured you were going with Kalyss.”
“Oh, no. She’s going with Sam. They’ve been dating for a while now.”
“Oh.” She looked at her shoes, more tempted than she’d ever been in her life. Prom with Alex Foster. Getting dressed up. feeling girly. Dancing in his arms, her cheek against his. Feeling warm and cared for.
She wanted a night with him. A date. A dance. If she had to trade all her future dreams to have one date with Prince Charming as everyone called him, it would be worth it.
“Did you say ‘oh’ or ‘no’?” Alex leaned closer, his expression confused and anxious.
Beth Ann looked into his eyes and shook her head. “No.”
Alex turned pale. “What?”
Beth Ann shook her head again. “It’ll never happen.”
Before Alex could respond or try to change her mind, Beth Ann briskly walked away, her head held up, but her eyes blinded with tears. Behind her, Alex leaned against the lockers, his shoulders slumping. As the outside door closed behind Beth Ann, he slammed his head against the lockers.
“Great.” Alex leaned his head against the wall behind them. “I so needed to see that again.”
“I’m sorry, Alex.” Elizabeth sighed. The scene changed, Alex was gone and Beth Ann had returned. Only the area where she stood was lit with a small glow. On the floor in front of her locker was a clear plastic corsage box with a pale pink orchid.
“I had it tucked in my jacket.” Alex watched Beth Ann, his eyes full of memories. “I bought it for you, so I wanted you to have it.”
Beth Ann knelt beside the box and carefully lifted it in both hands. Tears filled her eyes as she opened the lid and sniffed, inhaling the sweet scent of the flower. Pulling back, she stroked each petal with a tender finger and whispered to it.
“I wanted to say yes, Alex. Today. Tonight. Tomorrow.” Beth Ann inhaled raggedly and her voice became strained and shaky. “Always.”
Always to hold him, kiss him, love him. She wanted that. No, she yearned to have that with him.
Alex squeezed Elizabeth’s hand. “Hey, I was game.”
Elizabeth stroked her thumb against his skin. He was game now, but that could very well change in the next five minutes. He didn’t know the whole story yet.
“Still right here, lady.”
“Trust me, Alex. I always know where to find you.”
Beth Ann slowly closed the box. “I had to say no. It can’t be.” Closing her eyes, Beth Ann leaned her head back and continued. “I’m leaving. I can’t stay. I’ve made so many plans—college, jobs, scholarships. This may be the only opportunity I’ll ever have to leave. I have to do this, for me. I need to be someone. If I stay, it may never happen.
“Just like Mom. I’ll stay here, marry too young, have too many kids, and never recover when it all falls apart. I can’t just give up on everything I’ve worked for. I have to do this by myself. I’m sorry.” Beth Ann hugged the box to her chest and a few tears escaped to drip down her face.
Alex squeezed Elizabeth’s hand again. “Never say never.”
“You understand now?”
He frowned, his brows drawn together. “Yeah, I do.”
He wasn’t ready to fully get it, she could tell. But he would, very soon.
Chapter Fourteen
The scene in front of them changed, and they stood inside Mary Beth’s bedroom. Elizabeth looked around at the simple blue bedspread and the knickknacks scattered across the vanity.
Slowly, hesitantly, she faced the door of the bedroom, waiting for the approaching footsteps to reveal the person they belonged to. Nerves cramped her stomach and bile rose to the back of her throat. Elizabeth had known this would be tough, but she’d had no idea it would be this hard.
Alex frowned and looked around. This room held no meaning for him, no memory other than a quick peek as he walked down the upstairs hall. Judging by Elizabeth’s tight grip on his hand, though, there was more here than he’d ever suspected. His focus sharpened, taking in everything he saw and heard.
Elizabeth sucked in a breath as she saw her mother enter the room. A slim, beautiful woman in the prime of her life, Mary Beth’s makeup was done to perfection, her hair big and full of ringlets, as if declaring the eighties weren’t over no matter what the calendar said. But tight blue jeans and a bosom-hugging shirt fit any era, and she filled them well.
“Beth Ann Raines, come on. Quit moping. I have a surprise for you.” Mary Beth posed at the end of the bed, close to the closet.
“Mom.” Beth Ann entered the room, glasses firmly on her face, her hair pulled back, and her jeans and T-shirt showing her complete lack of interest in anything fashionable. “It’s been a long day. I’m tired and just want to go lie down.”
“You can’t do that, Beth Ann. Even I know what day this is.”
Elizabeth’s eyes met Alex’s, unable to hide her fear. She’d never been so vulnerable, her heart laid open before someone in this way. Gently pulling her hand free, Elizabeth crossed her arms and backed away. She needed distance to watch how he handled the rest of what she was showing him.
“Okay. I’ll let you go, but only for now,” he whispered.
“It doesn’t matter, Mama.” Beth Ann leaned against the door frame, her fingers hooked in her belt. “I’m not going to prom.”
Mary Beth’s head tilted. “Didn’t the right boy ask you to go?”
The shadow of a smile briefly graced Beth Ann’s lips. “Actually, the perfect guy asked me. But I said no.”
“Why the hell would you do that?” Mary Beth’s hands landed on her hips, then she shook her head. “Never mind. You’ll get ready to go and surprise him.”
Beth Ann wandered over to the vanity. A large, round mirror reflected her sad face back to her. “There’s no point, Mama. I’m heading off to the University of Washington as soon as graduation is over.”
“But maybe if you really like this guy, you can stay, go somewhere closer. Like Eastern. Then you could live at home and not have to work so hard. I can help you out.” Mary Beth looked so earnest, but Beth Ann had known then that the kind offer would have soured very quickly.
Beth Ann smiled sweetly and stuck to her decision. “I’ve gotta leave sometime, Mama.”
Mary Beth pursed her lips, then nodded. “Fine. But you’re going to prom. It’s the last thing I’ll ask you to do for me. Promise.”
Beth Ann refrained from rolling her eyes, but Elizabeth didn’t hold back.
Alex chuckled.
Beth Ann looked at her mother’s grinning face and sighed. “I don’t have a dress.”
Mary Beth smiled wickedly. “Take a look.” Vibrating with excitement, Mary Beth ripped open the closet door and removed a dress from the hook. Swirling around and holding the dress against her, she danced with all the grace of a fairy princess. “Well, what do you think?”
Beth Ann grinned and leaned against the vanity. “Ginger Rogers had nothing on you.”
Mary Beth smiled at the compliment. “I meant about the dress.”
Beth Ann looked at the heart-shaped satin bodice, the thin spaghetti straps, and the slightly fuller, calf-length satin skirt. A layer of ice-pink chiffon split over the skirt, adding a touch of delicacy. It floated, swishing like the dresses Beth Ann had dreamed of when she was little. “It’s pink.”
Her mother gave her a look. Beth Ann grinned, relenting. “It’s a pretty pink. How did you get it?”
Mary Beth raised a mysterious brow. “I have my ways. Now, sit. Let me do your hair and nails. We only have a few hours and you still have to track down your date.”
“I’m not sure I should bother him, Mama. He probably has another date by now. I’ll just go alone.” Beth Ann tried not to wince as her mother dragged a brush through her hair. The tears prickling her eyes were more from the wounded expression in Alex’s eyes. Her reasons for her rejection still stood, but she’d hated causing that crushed look.
“If he waited until this late to ask you, chances are he won’t.” Mary Beth met Beth Ann’s eyes in the mirror, her own serious and a little sad. “It’s not better to be alone, Beth Ann, despite what you may think. It’s lonely and painful. I would never wish that for you.”
Beth Ann lowered her eyes and meekly submitted as her mom twisted her hair up in a French knot, leaving the ends to curl into ringlets. She left two tendrils to hang in curls on either side of Beth Ann’s face. By the time Beth Ann’s makeup and nails were done, it was getting late.
She rushed from the room and grabbed the corsage Alex had left by her locker after her rejection. Hurrying into the dress, she let her mother pin the delicate orchid into place. Beth Ann Raines was ready for the prom.
The heels gave her height and the classic hairstyle matched the delicate beauty of the dress, making her look more elegant than she’d ever thought possible. After looking in her mom’s full-length mirror, Beth Ann felt like dancing around the room and letting the dress swirl around her calves. So she did.
Alex reached out and yanked Elizabeth into his arms and squeezed her around the waist. He breathed against her ear and she shivered. “You were so beautiful.”
“Now for some pictures.” Mary Beth rushed to the vanity drawer and pulled out her camera.
“Mom!” Beth Ann complained. “You hid that on purpose!”
“Of course I did. Or you would’ve run a long time ago.” Mary Beth smirked, her eyes sparkling.
“Fine ” Beth Ann smiled, pretending to feel put out. “But you have to hurry or I’ll be late.”
At her mom’s insistence, Beth Ann twirled for the camera, trying not to be blinded by the flash. Finally, she paused, her eyes sparkling and her mouth in the widest smile she’d ever had. Quickly, her mother snapped one final picture before the camera ran out of film.
“Oh, baby. Alex is going to think you’re a princess.”
Looking over her shoulder at him now, Elizabeth could only think her mother had been right. Judging by his furrowed brow, he was still a little confused, but then, he didn’t know how the night had ended. He only knew she’d never shown up for prom.
“Why didn’t I see you?” he whispered against her ear.
“You’ll see.” Much more than he could imagine.
“You’d be surprised at what I can imagine, Elizabeth. I know your secret.”
“Only one of them, Alex.”
Beth Ann stood straight and stared at her mom, her mouth dropping open in surprise. “How do you know his name is Alex?”
Her mom laughed. “What, you think I’ve never saw his pictures under the Highlander posters? Please, that’s an old trick.”
Beth Ann didn’t know if she should be outraged at the invasion of her privacy, or horrified at her transparency. Elizabeth knew to be unsurprised at either, but embarrassed by both. Alex chuckled against her ear as a shocked Beth Ann asked, “How long have you known?”
Mary Beth arched her brows in a superior expression. “Dallas trained me well to pay close attention, honey. I knew your freshman year.”
Alex’s arms tensed and when she looked at him, his gaze was wistful, as if aching for all the time they’d missed. Tears blurred her vision, knowing exactly how that ache felt. But she’d made the best choice for them, then. Even the distance time brought couldn’t convince her otherwise.
“Mary Beth!” A loud male voice boomed from the hallway, heavy steps approaching the bedroom.
Elizabeth flinched, but didn’t turn. Her fingers wrapped around Alex’s arms and her nails dug into his skin. She already knew what was coming. Instead, her eyes stayed focused on Alex, watching closely to see every thought that crossed his face. As much as she dreaded the memory, she was here to give Alex answers.
Alex felt her gaze slam into him, hard and focused. So far, the memory had been sweet. Poignant. But the last time Kalyss had produced a vision as vivid as this dream, it hadn’t been a sweet one. And judging by Elizabeth’s tense inspection of his face, this could be just as devastating.
But didn’t she understand? He’d share every nightmare if she’d let him. Alex held his gaze steady, though his heart beat faster with each step coming from the hallway. When the man appeared, anyone expecting someone bigger would have been disappointed. He wasn’t ugly, but his eyes held enough anger and pure meanness that Alex knew not to dismiss him.
“Grady!” Mary Beth faced the man with a smile on her face, though the openness she’d shared with her daughter only moments before was now slammed closed. Her light blue gaze darkened and fine lines appeared at the corners of her eyes and mouth. “I wondered when you’d get home.”
Beth Ann froze in the middle of the room, looking like she wanted to just disappear.
Grady’s eyes lit on Beth Ann with a gaze that still had the power to make Elizabeth shiver. Alex hugged her tighter, leaning down to rub his cheek against hers in comfort.
“Wow, Beth Ann.” Grady licked his already wet lips. “I didn’t know you owned anything so pretty.”
Mary Beth stepped in front of her daughter, putting her hands on her waist so her chest pushed out. “I bought it for her prom.”
Grady’s eyes narrowed and the anger was back as he glanced at Mary Beth for a split second before focusing on Beth Ann’s legs. “So, that’s why there’s a couple hundred missing from my wallet.”
Beth Ann flinched, her worried gaze flying between her mother and Grady. She’d never felt comfortable with him. He hadn’t done anything overt, however, so she’d just ignored him. But she knew the look in his eyes. She’d seen it before, directed at her mother, but now, with it focused on her, she was scared.
Alex heard her thoughts and felt her feelings, the bile at the back of her throat, the cramp of her empty stomach. But at the same time, he felt his own feelings, the tenseness in his muscles, the preparation to attack and defend the women.
But he knew nothing could change the past. The moment was lived, then gone, never to be regained. This was about the woman he held in his arms. Her pain. Not his anger. She’d said her father’s absence had left scars. This, he realized, was one of them. He just needed to understand how to heal it.
Mary
Beth lost her smile at Grady’s accusation. She raised a cool brow. “Missing? I don’t think so. Consider it rent.”
“Since when do I pay rent?” He laughed, short and nasty, then grabbed his crotch. “Besides with this.”
“Since you started fucking Leslie, you gross son of a bitch.” Mary Beth took her daughter’s hand and began easing her closer to the door. Unfortunately, Grady still blocked it.
Grady shifted, keeping Mary Beth in front of him. “You heard about that, huh?”
Mary Beth rolled her eyes. “Who didn’t hear?”
“Gotta love a woman who moans like that.” Grady grinned, mean and nasty. Then he raised his voice to a high-pitched whine. “Quiet, Grady. We’ll wake the kids, Grady. At least Leslie isn’t afraid of passion. Who wouldn’t be all over that?”
Mary Beth raised her chin. “Fine, then. Get the hell out and go climb all over that.”
Her emphasis on that, unlike his, was full of disgust. Grady recognized it and snarled. At that moment, the women had almost reached the door. Grady finally realized what they were doing. “I’d rather be all over this.”
Quick as an adder, he reached around Mary Beth, grabbed Beth Ann’s wrist, and pulled her out from behind her mother. Unsteady in her heels, Beth Ann stumbled toward him and he flipped her around, his free fist going into her hair. He released her wrist to slide an arm around her waist. With the extra inches from her heels, she and Grady were nearly matched in height. Grady backed away, his eyes bright with unholy glee at the fury on Mary Beth’s face.
Beth Ann whimpered and Alex barely restrained himself from barreling into images that couldn’t be hurt by him, all in the name of saving a woman who’d obviously saved herself long ago. Alex focused on Elizabeth, unable to erase the grimness from his face, but trying his best to express a calm acceptance. But she wasn’t looking at him anymore. Her gaze had been helplessly drawn back to the memory playing before them.
Alex returned his gaze to the terrified girl in the ice-pink dress. Elizabeth had been afraid of him seeing this. Afraid of him knowing the depths her family had sunk to. But her mother had protected her. Had loved and cared for her. Did she consider that when she was embarrassed?
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