I was still lost in the high clouds when the limo pulled in behind a long line of cars dropping off guests at the front door of the hotel. Young couples trying to act grown up. Princesses and Princes for a night.
Eventually it was our turn. My heart raced. Showtime, I thought. That was all this was I reminded myself. Oh, how I wished Danny had brought me because he wanted to. Not because he owed me. It would have made such a difference.
The doorman opened our door and helped me up and out of the car. It was like we were going to the Oscar’s. I was surprised there wasn’t a red carpet and a gaggle of paparazzi.
Danny joined me, then leaned back into the car and said something to the driver. I took a deep breath and turned to find a dozen different people looking at me, and then Danny. I knew what was going through their minds. He really did bring her. The invisible girl that no one had ever heard of.
Danny held out his arm and gave me a smirk. Silently telling me that this was my moment to shine and he was here to do whatever he could to help.
I slipped my arm into his and felt a wave of rightness. It wasn’t the envious looks. I had learned that they meant nothing. No, it was the man next to me. Holding his arm felt as if the world was how it should be.
As we walked through the lobby, I went over everything that had gotten me to this spot in time and knew I had done the right thing. Tonight. For one night I was going to enjoy life and I wasn’t going to let anyone tell me differently.
Chapter Eight
Danny
Something inside of me had shifted. I could feel it deep in my bones. I didn’t know what. I didn’t know when. But something was different. This was no longer a simple favor. No. It had become so much more.
Maybe it happened when I saw her walk down those stairs like a sexy princess. Or perhaps when she kissed Papa on the cheek and made him smile. It could be the way her jasmine perfume seeped into my soul and squeezed it tight. Or even the way she smiled at me. As if she thought I was worth something.
Like I said, I didn’t know how or when. But until I figured it out, I needed to be careful. Suddenly things were way more important.
Glancing down I smiled at Jess and then pointed to our table. The room was huge. As big as our gym at school. Round tables along one side. A dance floor and stage for the rest of the room. I instinctively put my hand on Jess’s back to guide her through the crowd. She shivered and shot me a strange look. I instantly pulled my hand away.
Fake, I reminded myself. This was all fake. A way to get her more attention from other boys. The thought was like a quick knife to the gut. Okay, I told myself. I would keep my distance while at the same time making everyone think I was infatuated with Jess Dunham. Sure. No problem.
Jess held back for a second and glanced up at me. “I hope you don’t mind. But Katie and Bella arranged for us all to sit together.”
I shrugged. It really didn’t matter to me. I hadn’t planned on going to the prom. With what was going on with Papa it all seemed a little too trivial. But as I thought about it, I realized that I was glad I had come. He was right. A man should go to his prom. Especially if the girl was someone like Jess.
As we reached the table, Jess made the introductions. Katie’s and Bella’s dates were two guys I barely knew. Pete something and Sammy something. Juniors, who both looked like they were about six fathoms in over their head.
I held Jess’s chair then sat down next to her and realized I had absolutely nothing in common with these people. We traveled in different circles. Oh well, that was part of the deal, I reminded myself. Make this special for Jess. I owed her.
Just think. If it wasn’t for her quick action, I could easily be spending my night in a cold cell surrounded by angry monsters. Instead, I was sitting in a ballroom next to a beautiful girl. Yes, a big win in my book.
“So,” Katie said to Jess. “Britney just told us you came in a limo. I thought they were all reserved since before Christmas.”
Jess’s cheeks grew pink as she nodded, then looked at me real quick before focusing on her lap. I had forgotten how shy she was.
“I called in a favor,” I said with a shrug as I tried to take away some of the attention from Jess. Again, Jess glanced at me, sending me a secret thank you. I smiled, then leaned back in my chair and looked out over the room.
The room was filled with my friends and people I had known for over twelve years. Tommy and Jenks were fake fighting while their dates gossiped. Jimmy Burk’s ex-girlfriend Samantha Jones was staring at me with a strange expression that I couldn’t begin to read.
Twisting, I examined the rest of the room and realized I was perfectly okay with where I was. Jess was like that. As if she made the world calmer. Giving her a small smile, I tried to pay attention to her friends.
Both Katie and Bella rolled their eyes as their dates got into an argument about a video game. I couldn’t help but shake my head. Nerds. Then I looked over at Jess and realized I wasn’t doing much better.
I leaned over and whispered into her ear. “How do you want me to play this? Enamored boyfriend or the second cousin doing you a favor?”
Her cheeks grew pink again as she shrugged. Her blush was so cute. Enticing, pure, and innocent.
“Okay, boyfriend it is,” I whispered. “It would be the best way to help you get what you want.”
She swallowed hard, that pretty neck of hers working overtime as her blush grew even deeper. This was going to be fun I realized. Making Jess blush had just become one of my favorite pastimes.
I draped an arm around the back of her chair. She stiffened. Pretend, I reminded myself. Take it slow.
Katie looked at us with a deep frown then at her date and I swear she was grinding her teeth. “I need to go to the bathroom,” she announced as she stood up then looked at Bella and Jess, silently demanding they come with her.
Jess bounced up as if she couldn’t get away from me fast enough. As the three girls left us in a swish of dress fabric, I looked at Pete and Sam and shook my head. If they weren’t careful. they were going to ruin my night.
“Do either of you two hope to ever get laid?” I asked. “Not tonight, but in some distant future. I mean, is it even a concept you have thought about?”
Both boys looked back at me, “Of course, … I mean, what makes you think …”
I laughed and shook my head. “Stop talking about computers, video games, or anything electronic. Also, forget about anything that can be associated with Sci-Fi.”
Both boys looked at me with confused frowns. “What do we talk about then?” Sam asked.
God, Nerds. “Them,” I said as I shook my head. “If you can make them laugh, it’s a big plus. But just listening is always a good way to go.”
Both boys looked as if I’d proposed an impossibly difficult math problem.
“And when the music starts. Don’t wait until she hints about dancing. Grow a pair and act as if you are in control of your world.” God, not only was I sacrificial lamb but I was becoming Obi-Wan to two space cadets.
Thankfully, the three girls returned, whispering to each other. I stood up and pulled out Jess’s chair, then glanced over at Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum. I’ve got to give it to them, they learned quickly as they both jumped up and pulled out their date’s chair.
Both Katie and Bella frowned, then smiled. Thankfully, I was able to relax. The last thing I wanted was her friends pulling Jess away half the night.
The dinner portion of the night went fine. Katie kept the conversation from lagging. I swear the girl could talk the ears of a Jack-ass. Jess and I exchanged pleasantries and slowly some of the awkward tension slipped away.
“So, Angel,” I said as I draped an arm over her chair and leaned over to whisper. “Is there anyone in particular you were hoping to catch? Someone I should sing your praises to? Maybe make them jealous?”
Jess shook her head, again fighting that blush. “I just wanted to stop being invisible. Do you know what I mean?”
I
laughed, “Yes, actually. Sometimes I wish people could see me, not my reputation. I’m not a monster. Not really.”
“I never thought you were a monster.”
Her words were like a soothing salve to my soul. My next thought was that their wasn’t anyone special she was interested in. Interesting, just a general plan. Okay, I could work with that. But deep down, a small part of me was celebrating like I’d scored the winning goal. No one special. Yes, a definite positive.
.o0o.
Jess
Something had changed. I don’t know what. I don’t know how. But there was something different and I couldn’t figure it out.
My stomach still continued to turn in on itself. So that wasn’t different. Of course, there was the whole, pretend enamored boyfriend aspect. God, why hadn’t I anticipated that? I mean, come on. It was the next best thing to perfect. But so unreal that I couldn’t relax.
But no, the new feeling started before that. I tried to understand this new reality but it was difficult to concentrate. It seemed every other minute Danny would do something to set my world on fire. An arm across the back of my chair. His warm breath tickling my neck as he whispered into my ear. A sweet smile that made the world disappear. As if I was the most important thing he had ever seen.
A girl could get stuck in this world and never want to come out.
When the music started my heart jumped into overdrive. Would Danny ask me to dance? After all, that hadn’t been part of the deal.
Danny surprised me by leaning in and whispering. “I’ll ask you to dance in a minute. I want to give these two yahoos a chance to impress your friends.”
I laughed as I glanced over at the others. Pete swallowed hard then pushed his chair back and held out a hand for Katie. She smiled and jumped up. Sam wasn’t far behind and in a moment, we were alone, just Danny and myself.
It was as if a cloud of awkwardness settled over me. I didn’t know what to do with my hands. I didn’t know where to look. Danny smiled and nodded to the dance floor.
“Are you sure?” I said. “You don’t have to.”
He frowned for a second. “What? Dancing with a hardened criminal is too embarrassing?”
My heart sank. “NO! That wasn’t what …”
He smiled. “Relax Jess, I was just kidding. Come on. Besides, I sort of have a rule at these things. I always dance the first dance with the most beautiful girl in the room.”
My world sort of dissolved into a blur of emotions as Danny took my hand and led me out onto the floor. Years of dreams coming true. Hopes and wishes all actually happening created a buzzing high that I wondered if I’d ever get over.
Danny moved like a natural athlete. Smooth and in control. God, he was so good looking I thought. So handsome without being pretty. Tall, strong, my heart melted just looking at him. He shot me a smile as we danced and slowly the nervous tension disappeared.
I didn’t care who was watching or what they were thinking. All I could think about was moving to the music and loving the boy across from me.
We were three songs into the night when the band shifted over to a slow ballad. Again, my heart jumped but Danny didn’t miss a beat, he pulled me into his arms and I entered heaven. True, beautiful heaven. A place filled with safety and security.
As we rocked slowly, I had to concentrate to remember how to breathe. His chest was so broad, so hard. His arms felt like steel and he smelled of sandalwood. Different than the normal pine sawdust I associated him with.
“Don’t jump,” he whispered into my ear. “But more than a few guys are looking. I’m going to nibble your neck and make them jealous.” Then, before I could prepare myself, his lips kissed my neck, a soft tender kiss that set my soul to new heights. I sank into him as a desire to surrender flowed through me.
His arms tightened around my waist, helping me to remain upright. My knees were that wobbly.
“Here,” he said as he gently laid my head against his shoulder. I closed my eyes and let myself float. It was just the two of us. My mind flashed to a secret hope. A hope that this could be real. I knew it would never be so. But I could dream.
Of course, all things must end. The last note of the song was the death knell to any dream. Danny dropped his arms from around my waist. Reality returned. Pretend, remember.
Danny was frowning then asked if I wanted to take a break. Once again, my heart broke. Had I upset him? Was dancing with me that terrible? He put his hand on my lower back and guided me back to our table.
“Is everything all right?” I asked, desperate to know if I had done something wrong.
He smiled and shook his head, but I could see something was bothering him.
“What?” I demanded. I refused to go on with this if he was unhappy with me. I wasn’t going to make his life miserable. He didn’t deserve that.
He sighed heavily then looked at me with a strange new expression. A hungry, almost predatory stare that made my insides quiver. “Just thinking thoughts I probably shouldn’t be thinking.”
For the longest few seconds of my life, we stared into each other’s eyes, desperately trying to understand our feelings. But, and there is always a but, Katie and Pete returned to the table pulling us apart.
My heart continued to race as I kept looking over at him from beneath my brow as I tried to understand what he was thinking. After the third or fourth glance, he caught me and gave me a quick smile before whispering. “If you don’t tell him, I won’t.”
All I could do was nod as once again my world shifted. I was beginning to wonder if I would ever be on stable footing again.
Chapter Nine
Jess
My night became a whirlwind of experiences. Memories that I would never forget. Danny laughing with my friends. Him introducing me to his friends as if I was important. Dancing in his arms. All of it sort of blended into one long memory that bore itself in my brain.
Behind it all though was the ticking of the clock. Like Cinderella, I was waiting for the strike of midnight to bring it all to a crashing halt.
And true to its nature, time marched forward. The band’s lead singer announced that this was the last song of the night and that it was dedicated to young love. Danny gave me that famous smirk of his, raised an eyebrow, and leaned forward.
“Your last chance to make your mark.”
My insides tightened up. Why couldn’t I tell him the truth? That I had asked him because I was in love with him. Why couldn’t I just announce it to the world? Of course not. I wasn’t a complete idiot. He had been a prince. There was no reason to make him feel bad. Or worse, feel pity.
As we danced, my head on his shoulder, the two of us so close I was positive he could feel my heart pounding in my chest. I closed my eyes and memorized the feeling. The safety, the rightness, because I knew I would never feel like this again.
His arms held me tight, almost as if he was afraid that I would disappear. But all dreams must come to an end. We have to wake up sometime. The music slowed to a halt, a quiet settled over the room but the two of us stood there continuing to hug.
Please, I begged silently. Please feel for me like I feel for you. I knew it was a silly wish, but I couldn’t stop myself.
Finally, he took a deep breath and pulled back. I let him go. What else could I do? Keep him there forever? Instead, I smiled up at him and said. “Thank you. For doing this for me.”
He snorted and shook his head. “I think you didn’t need me as a sacrificial lamb. These guys aren’t idiots. You’re not going to have any problems. I promise you.”
My heart hurt. That was so not what I wanted him to say. I wanted him to sweep me up into his arms and say that he’d fallen madly in love with me. I bit back a tear and turned to go back to our table and say our goodbyes
Katie shot me a strange look. I swear she could see every thought racing through my head. I ignored her, as long as Danny didn’t know the truth. That was all that was important.
We said our goodbyes. Danny pulle
d Pete and Sam to the side, said something to them, then patted them on the back before coming back to me. I wondered what that was all about but kept my mouth shut. I had enough other things to worry about.
When we got outside, he waived and the limo pulled up. I swear it was like calling for a Princess’s carriage. Pete whistled, obviously impressed. Bella shot me a raised eyebrow look that made me feel special and spoiled. The feel of Danny’s hand on my back sent a warm sensation through me. The last time, I told myself. Once we were in the car. The pretending would come to an end.
My world would become a pumpkin once again.
Danny slid in then leaned back and let out a heavy sigh. My stomach fell. Had it been that big an ordeal?
“Thank you again,” I said as I stared down at my lap.
He laughed and took my hand in his, forcing me to look at him. “I had a great time, Jess. The next time you need a sacrificial lamb. Don’t hesitate to ask.”
I smiled through the pain. “Next time you need a lawyer, I’ve got some good contacts.”
He laughed and leaned back. But he didn’t let go of my hand. Biting my lip, I fought to hold back the tears. Oh, how I wished the night could go on forever. Or at least for a few more hours. But that wasn’t part of the deal and totally unfair for Danny.
When the car pulled to a stop in front of my house, I thought I would start blubbering right there. It was all coming to an end.
The chauffeur jumped out to open our door. I got out and turned to say goodbye, but Danny jumped out and said to the driver, “Do me a favor and drive around the block and make it slow, okay?”
The driver nodded, tipped his hat, and closed the door. I looked up at Danny confused until I saw that gleam in his eyes. He wanted to be alone with me. Did he want to kiss me goodnight? Oh, please, yes.
My heart raced as my body went numb. No, this was impossible. But no, the universe can be a truly great place. We had no sooner reached our porch when Danny gently pulled me around to look deep into my eyes and I knew it. I just knew he was going to kiss me.
Rebel of my Dreams Page 5