I had to make this right! I turned to my best friend. “Grant, I’ve gotta go fix this.”
He grinned. “I’m a couple steps ahead of you, buddy.”
“What?”
“Just trust me. I’ve got ya covered.”
The whistle blew and Archer interrupted us. “I’ve gotta get back to the field. Are we good?”
I nodded and Grant gave Archer a fist bump. “Go get us that W, Montgomery!”
I watched Archer jog back to the game, dumbstruck. Everything he’d said had led me to one conclusion, I owed Casey an apology. A big one.
As I watched the game clock on the scoreboard begin ticking down again, I felt my heart begin to race. I wanted to make a final play for Casey.
But was it too late?
It was going to take one hell of a grand gesture to win her back.
Luckily, something about the mischievous twinkle in my best friend’s eye told me he had anticipated me seeing the light.
“Come on, man.” Grant said. “You gotta go get the girl!”
Chapter Forty-Three
Casey
“You look stunning, sweetheart,” Alex’s mom gushed as we stood in her bedroom staring at Alex’s reflection in the full-length mirror.
Alex grinned and did a twirl that made her mother squeal with delight. Alex did look stunning in her black dress and for once she actually seemed to agree. The simple A-line silhouette was perfect for her—no nonsense, just elegance. It embodied Alex to perfection.
“Mom, I think you’ve finally done it,” Alex said
“What’s that, sweetie?”
“You’ve found a dress I don’t hate.”
We all laughed while Alex continued to ham it up in front of the mirror.
Since I’d decided not to go to the dance, I’d wanted to skip the girly day of primping at Alex’s house, but I’d promised her and her mother I’d be there long before my life turned into a soap opera and I didn’t want to let them down.
Though I was still sad I was missing the dance, it had been my decision not to go and I knew it was the right one. And that didn’t mean I couldn’t be there for Alex.
I truly was happy for her. Alex was my best friend. When she was happy, so was I. But I still had a hard time fighting the tiny pinpricks of envy that assaulted me while I watched my best friend and her mother fussing over the last minute dance details.
It was something I would never get to do with my mom, and it made me miss her even more than usual.
When Alex’s hair and makeup was nothing short of perfection, her mom turned to me. “Okay, your turn, sweetheart.”
“Oh, I thought Alex told you. I’m not going to the dance.”
“She did. But that doesn’t mean I can’t spoil you with a little makeover, does it?” Mrs. Prince squeezed my hand. “Besides, I want photos of both my girls.”
Emotion stuck in my throat making it hard to speak. I managed a nod and Alex’s mom led me over to her vanity. When I sat down, she ran a hand over my hair. “I hope you know how much of a blessing it’s been having you in our lives this past year, sweetie. We think of you like family and we love you very much.”
My eyes watered. “I love you guys, too,” I whispered.
Mrs. Prince cupped my cheek and gave me a motherly smile. “Good. Well, since you’re family, that means I can guilt you into playing dress up. I was promised a full day of girliness and I’m going to get it.”
I laughed. “I won’t fight you.”
Mrs. Prince gave her daughter a playful wink. “Did you hear that, Alex? Casey likes to dress up.”
“Casey looks better in a dress than I do,” Alex teased.
“Nonsense. You’re both beauties.”
“Mom, I hate to break it to ya, but we’re both tomboys.”
“Tomboys can wear dresses, too,” I argued.
Alex stuck out her tongue, but the grin she’d been wearing since slipping into her dress said she didn’t mind her girly look as much as she was pretending.
* * *
After doing my hair and makeup, Alex’s mom pulled a white dress from her closet. I gasped. “That’s my mom’s.”
“I know, sweetheart. Your dad suggested it. I hope that’s okay.”
I stood up, walking over to the dress as though I were under a spell. The dress was the only thing I had left from my mother. She used to let me play dress up in it when I was little, and when she died, I took it to my room and curled up on it, trying to memorize her fragrance that still clung to it.
Her fragrance was long gone, but the memories weren’t. They came flooding back to me as my fingers floated over the delicate layers of lace over the bodice. The dress looked pristine. The last time I’d been brave enough to pull it out of my closet, it had been impossible to miss how shabby it had become over the years.
“It looks brand new,” I whispered. “How?”
“I know an excellent seamstress in town,” Mrs. Prince replied. “I gave her your measurements. Shall we see if it fits?”
I let Alex’s mom slip the dress over my head. She connected the clasp in the back and zipped it up in one fluid motion. The dress fit like a glove. The fitted bodice hugged me while the feminine skirt flounced just above my knees. I felt like a princess as I took my turn in front of the full length mirror. My auburn hair fell in long shiny waves over my shoulders and the subtle makeup Alex’s mom had applied gave my skin a petal soft glow.
I felt tears pricking at the back of my eyes, as I stared in awe at my reflection.
“I look like her,” I whispered, my voice trembling.
“You look beautiful,” Mrs. Prince praised.
“You really do,” Alex added.
I turned away from my reflection and crushed them both in a hug. “Thank you so much.”
Alex hugged me back and her mom kissed my cheek. “It was my pleasure, sweetheart.”
At the sound of my first sniffle, she pulled away, grinning. “Oh no! I will not have my masterpiece ruined by tears without getting photos first. Downstairs, you two. Chop-chop.”
* * *
After posing for a million photos with Alex and her mom, Grant showed up and we took a million more. By the time he whisked her away for a quick dinner before the dance my spirits had been lifted significantly.
So what if I didn’t get to go to the dance this year?
There was always next year.
And I wouldn’t have traded this time with my best friend for the world. Alex would be away at college next year and I wouldn’t have her to get ready with.
The thought swiftly threatened to deflate my good mood as I stood next to Alex’s parents in their driveway where we’d waved her and Grant off.
The cool October air made me shiver and I wrapped my arms around myself, noting the luxurious fabric of my dress. Lifting my chin, I decided to hang onto my lifted spirits. After all, anyone wearing such a stunning garment needed an attitude to match.
I began following Alex’s parents back inside when I heard another car pull up. I turned around, my heart jumping at the faintest shimmer of hope that it was Lucas. But it was my dad. The sight of him made my heart jump for an entirely different reason.
“Dad? What are you doing here? Is everything okay?”
He walked toward me wearing a dopey grin and holding a corsage. “What? Can’t a father take his only daughter out for a nice dinner?”
I laughed, considering the only place we ever went for dinner was the local sports bar and it definitely couldn’t be classified as nice. “Well, I am dressed up with no place to go.”
“I can fix that,” he said, slipping the corsage onto my wrist and offering me his arm.
I thanked Alex’s parents for everything again and then followed my dad to his car.
This night kept getting weirder by the minute, but I was learning to go with it.
Maybe it was the dress, but I felt like my mother was guiding me tonight.
And that was a feeling I wanted to hang
onto.
Chapter Forty-Four
Casey
“Thanks, Dad. That was delicious as always,” I said, wiping the burger grease from my fingers with a paper napkin.
My dad grinned from across the table. We were at our usual booth at Champs, which felt a little ridiculous considering I was wearing such a magnificent dress.
He opened his mouth like he was going to say something, but then he thought better of it and shook his head.
“What?” I asked.
“Nothing, I was just going to say how much you remind me of your mother tonight.”
I felt the familiar glow those rare words always brought me. I’d always thought my dad must use them sparingly because too many of them would make me float away.
“Really?” I whispered.
“Really.” He smiled softly. “She’d be so proud of you. I am, too.”
“For putting on a dress?”
“No.” He sighed, seeming to collect his thoughts. “Pip, I know it’s been a tough start at school this year, but I want you to know that you’re handling yourself well. You’ve got new friends, a new team, new confidence, a new look,” he said raising his eyebrows at my dress. “I’m sorry if I was hard on you with the whole dating thing. I know you’ve got a good head on your shoulders. I’m gonna work on trusting you more.”
“Thanks, Dad. That means a lot.”
He stood and pulled me from the booth for a hug. After throwing some money on the table to pay the bill he took my hand. “What do you say we go play catch?”
“Right now?”
“Yeah, why not? It’ll be fun. We can go up the baseball field like we used to when you were little, remember.”
Of course I remembered. It’s where I fell in love with baseball. “I’d love to, Dad, but I’m wearing a dress.”
He shrugged out of his jacket and put it over my shoulders. “Come on. Before I know it, you’re gonna be in college. Humor your old man.”
I laughed. “Alright.”
* * *
When we pulled up at the school, the parking lot was crowded with party goers. I could see the disco lights flashing through the gymnasium windows and a sudden pang of envy hit me. I pushed it away. I wasn’t here to pine over my lost homecoming. I was here to spend time with my dad.
“Ready?” my dad asked after grabbing the gloves and bucket of balls he always kept in the trunk of his car.
“Why not?” I said looping my arm through his.
As we approached the field, I had to hold onto him tighter. The stadium lights, which were normally always on, were dark. “That’s weird. Are the lights on a new timer or something?”
As if in answer the lights burst on with a loud buzz. I shielded my eyes, pressing a hand to my startled heart. A shape started to appear on the field as the lights warmed up, humming as they glowed brighter by the moment.
I turned to my dad expecting to see him looking as baffled as I was, but instead he was grinning.
“Dad . . .”
“Go easy on him,” he said with a wink, nodding toward the field.
I looked back at the field, which was fully illuminated now. The light revealed a figure standing at home plate. Lucas!
My heart raced as my feet began taking unsteady steps toward him.
Was I having some sort of dream?
There on the field was Lucas Hargrove, dressed in a tux, holding a massive bouquet of pink balloons. Two chairs and a small round table covered in a white linen tablecloth were set up next to him. My heart was pounding so hard as I walked toward him I couldn’t hear myself think and that wasn’t doing anything to help me figure out what was going on.
My legs couldn’t seem to get me to him fast enough and he must’ve felt the same way because he was walking toward me now.
“Lucas?” I dared, still thinking I might be having some sort of lucid dream.
“Casey,” he answered, stopping just inches from me, the giant cluster of balloons bouncing above him periodically drowning out the lights as they bobbed in the breeze.
“What is this?” I asked.
His cheeks flushed and he rocked back on his heels. “Well, this is me trying to make up for being the world’s biggest idiot.”
“What?”
“Casey, I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have overreacted about everything. I owe you so much more than an apology. And I know nothing can make up for how I acted, but I’m hoping this can be the first step because I’m crazy about you. I have been ever since our first kiss.” He smiled bashfully. “Maybe even before then.”
I blinked at him, still confused as to what was happening.
He blew out a breath. “Here,” he said passing me the balloons. “There’s 28. Your dad said your mom always got 28 because that was the date you were born.”
I began to shake as I looked up at the pale pink balloons. “You talked to my dad?”
“I had to apologize to him, too. And I wanted to get his permission.”
“Permission for what?”
“To ask you to be my girlfriend.”
Lucas
She stood in front of me looking like a stunned angel—a halo of crimson hair in a glowing white dress. She stared up at me with her impossibly beautiful brown eyes. When she didn’t respond I began to panic. I told myself not to get my hopes up, that even if we pulled off this surprise, she might not be ready to give me another chance. I wouldn’t blame her, but I also wouldn’t give up without a fight.
“Casey, I’ve been a fool. I let my insecurities and gossip keep us apart. But I promise I’m done with that. I’m only listening to my heart from now on, and I know it’ll never lead me astray because you’ve always owned it.”
With trembling hands, I took a risk and stepped closer, slipping a hand around her waist while my other cradled her cheek. “Give me one more chance, Casey. You’re the one for me,” I whispered.
And then I kissed her.
It was the kiss of all kisses. It was the beginning and the end and the beginning all over again. Her lips made me forget everything that had come before her. Their petal soft parting said everything I hadn’t the words for. We spoke in caresses, grazing lips, tumbling tongues, breathlessness. Each kiss drawing out the poison that had kept us apart, making room for our forever.
When we pulled apart, I felt at peace, for that kiss had left a part of her with me and I would never let it go.
Chapter Forty-Five
Casey
I felt like a fairytale princess being awoken by a kiss. When Lucas’s lips met mine, I let go of everything I’d been keeping locked up inside. My fears, my sorrows, my longing, my loneliness, and even the balloons as I threw my arms around his neck and kissed him back with everything I had.
“Yes,” I said breathlessly.
“Yes?”
“Yes!” I repeated. “Yes to second chances. Yes to being your girlfriend. Yes to all of it!”
Lucas whooped so loud I jumped.
Grinning, he swept me off my feet in a swirl of kisses.
That’s when I heard music and laughter. Lucas and I broke apart long enough for me to see Alex and Grant jogging away from the press box, back toward the school.
“I had some help pulling this off,” Lucas admitted.
“Omigod, was everyone in on this?”
He grinned and my heart did a backflip. I had missed that smile.
“What can I say?” Lucas said pulling me back into his arms. “We have a lot of people rooting for us.”
We stood like that for a while, locked together swaying to the music. When the song ended, Lucas pulled away just enough to place another perfect kiss on my lips.
“Can we start over?” I whispered.
He shook his head. “I don’t want to start over. I want to keep going.” He gently tucked a windswept lock of hair behind my ear. “I want all of it with you, Casey. The ups, the downs, the good, the bad, everything.”
My heart took flight. “Me too.”
This
was everything I’d ever wanted. I almost couldn’t believe it. Against all odds, we’d finally gotten the timing right. I swayed to the music unaffected by the cool evening air as Lucas held me tight. I felt my heart sync up with his as he whispered apologies, substituting kisses when he couldn’t find the right words.
“Lucas, I forgive you. And I’m not without blame either. I should’ve told you the truth about Archer from the beginning.”
“You didn’t do anything wrong, Casey. You were being a good friend. I was just scared.”
“Scared?”
“I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. It’s kind of terrifying knowing I have no control over whether my heart gets smashed to pieces.”
I laughed. “I know the feeling.”
“I know it’s stupid, but I was scared that now that you’re popular and everyone else finally saw how amazing you were, that I wouldn’t stand a chance. I thought you’d rather be with someone like Archer.” Lucas tilted my chin up. “I’m sorry, Casey. I should’ve had more faith in us. I know that now.”
I met his gaze. “And you should’ve known none of that stuff matters to me. I don’t care who’s popular or not. I’m not going to date someone just because they suddenly acknowledge my existence. My heart doesn’t work that way. You’re the only one I want. And just so you know, I’m not going to change my mind. I’ve had a crush on you since first grade.”
Lucas groaned and looked up at the sky. “Why don’t people come with billboards that tell you exactly what’s in their heart?”
I laughed. “I’ll make you a promise. I’ll always tell you exactly what’s in my heart.”
He smiled so brightly it made my chest ache. “Deal.”
We spent a few more songs reveling in our newly found bliss, but I sighed as realization dawned on me.
Lucas tilted my chin up and gazed sincerely into my eyes. “What’s wrong?”
“I can’t believe this whole time we’ve both felt the same way about each other.”
Tomboys Don't Wear Pink: How To Date A Tomboy Page 15