I stayed until one, making sure everything was where it should be, and then went back to my dorm for a nap. By the time I woke up, two hours later, I had two messages from Sol. One saying he was showered and on his way to the venue and another, an hour and a half later, saying the auction tables were in place and we were good to go.
As soon as I woke, I sent Sol a message explaining that I’d fallen asleep, but before I could arrange to meet him, my parents called saying they were ready for me to come and pick them up from the hotel, so they didn’t have to leave their car on campus.
Now, as people start to arrive, looking as glamorous enough to deserve a red carpet, I realize I’m out of time. Music fills the space and I turn and smile at Joy who’s deejaying the event. She’s splitting the evening with Trey, one of the Wolves.
My parents are mingling with the early birds, and a few people are already making their bids on the silent auction. I breathe out a slow breath. Everything looks exactly as we planned. Now, I just need him. Pulling my phone out of my pocket, my heart skips at the missed call from Sol. He’s left a voicemail, but before I can head outside and listen to it, a squeal rings out across the room.
“Wes!” I recognize Jacey’s voice a split second before she collides with me, her arms wrapping around my waist in a tight hug.
“Wow,” I say as she steps back. “You look beautiful.”
And she does. Dressed in a floor length green satin dress, her hair twisted into a complicated up do, she looks like a pint-sized princess.
Slipping my phone back in my pocket, I turn to her parents. “Good to see you again, Diane. Josh.”
Sol’s dad shakes my hand, and his mom gives me a hug.
“You both did a wonderful job,” Diane says, her eyes sparkling as she looks around. “I hope you’re both really proud.”
I give her a nervous smile. “Ask me again at the end of the night.”
“Have you seen Sol?” his dad asks.
My eyebrows raise. “I thought he’d be arriving with you.”
“I’m sure he’ll be along any minute,” his mom says, squeezing my arm.
They don’t seem overly worried as they walk off to find their table, but panic flares in my gut. I reach for my phone again, but then a small group of people enter the hall and my heart stops.
Sol walks into the room with Zak and Alex, the three of them wearing tailored tuxes, although, in his, Sol is easily the sexiest man alive. Zak and Alex have Sasha and Jaime on their arms, but it’s the petite brunette beaming up at Sol that has me backing up a step, my chest tight. Peyton. The same girl he was all over back in September and the girl I saw him kissing at the welcome back party in January.
She’s clinging to his arm, looking stunning in a deep red dress, and as they move closer, I notice the shade is the exact same as Sol’s bowtie. Fuck. I can’t breathe. Taking another step backwards, I turn to head outside, but Dean Mason blocks the way, smiling at me.
“Congratulations, Mr. Bowers,” he says, inclining his head. “You and Sol really pulled it off. This is the most impressive event I’ve seen so far at Franklin West. You’ve certainly set the bar high.”
“Thank you,” I say, my smile tight.
He squeezes my shoulder. “I’ll give it twenty minutes and then do the welcoming address, okay?”
I nod, hoping he puts my awkwardness down to nerves. As much as I want to know what Sol’s doing, I can’t bring myself to look. The thought alone of him touching her has my lunch threatening to reappear. My phone burns a hole in my pocket as I try once again to make it outside. Is that why he called? To warn me that he was bringing his girlfriend.
He told me last night that he hadn’t moved on, but maybe he lied. Maybe I misunderstood. The room is heaving with bodies now, and every time I try to move outside, someone else stops me to congratulate me or ask about my post-graduation plans. The only reprieve I have is when Dean Mason takes to the stage and welcomes everyone to the event, announcing that food will be served in ten minutes.
As the music starts up again, and chatter fills the room once more, I make it close enough to feel the cool spring air on my face when Ben appears in front of me.
“Hi,” he says, unabashedly checking me out. “Congratulations.”
Shooting the common a longing glance, I resign myself to the fact that I’m not going to make it out there before food starts being served.
“Thank you,” I say. Ben’s a nice guy, but I couldn’t be less interested. There’s only one guy in this room that I want, and he’s here with a woman.
He brazenly runs his hand up my chest, his fingers grazing my skin where my shirt is unbuttoned, before tugging on the lapel of my velvet blazer. “Save me a dance later?”
I swallow. “Sure.”
Ben leans up on his toes and kisses me on the cheek before melting away into the crowd. My head spins, and I turn, heading toward the table my parents are sitting at. I collapse onto a chair, feeling like I’ve just swam four back-to-back relays.
“You okay?” Dad asks, rubbing my back. “Who was that you were with?”