No missed calls fromAnnie.
Some part of me hoped she’d try to reach me. She’d been furious when I left, and all I wanted to do was grab her and kiss the hell out ofher.
On impulse, I pull up the image of her in thatdress.
She’s beautiful. Making a face at the camera, holding her hair up with one hand, the other on her hip. Every muscle in my body squeezes at once, my heart most ofall.
I wanted to bring her. I wanted to ask her yesterday before I realized this was the only option to fix the problem Icreated.
Carly and I head inside, her hand tucked in my arm. I feel eyes on useverywhere.
“You realize it’s as good as done,” she murmurs near myear.
I turn my head to avoid her lips. “Whatis?”
“Prom king and queen.” Carly blinks as if she’s surprised I’m not thinking aboutthis.
The last thing I want to do is spend another second with her, and the more public it is, the more I’m reminded that everyone will think it’s real. At least I’m doing a good job of sellingit.
“I’m going to make a lap,” Carly informsme.
My gaze locks on an incredulous face by the bar. “I need to see someonefirst.”
I don’t wait to hear her response as I cross to Brandon andPenelope.
Penelope looks murderous. “What the hell are you doinghere?”
“Dude,” Brandon says, looking back to where Carly’s giggling with herfriends.
I rub a hand through my hair, lowering my voice. “Carly’s blackmailing Annie. I’m fixingit.”
The anger on Pen’s face fades to disbelief. “We went dressshopping.”
“She showed me the purpleone.”
“Did she tell you she bought it?” The sadness in her voice is a kick in thegut.
“No, she didn’t.” I rub a hand over myface.
I swore I’d never put myself in a position like I was with my dad, where I felt as if I owed him something, where I compromised myself for anotherperson.
But here I am, caught between obligations. Prostituting myself for a girl I can’t stop thinking about. And somehow, I feel like theasshole.
This is why you don’t fall for someone. Why you don’t lay yourself on the line for them. Why you don’t depend on them, let them depend onyou.
I need a drink. I signal the bartender, then glance atBrandon.
I figured I’d stay sober to get through this, but now, I’m not sure I can stand it. There’s an ounce of relief as Brandon slips a flask from hispocket.
“You really care about her, don’t you?” Pen sounds concerned as I take the spiked drink and toss it back. Whatever’s on my face seems to convince her. “Thenleave.”
“I can’t. And this is going to get worse before it gets better.” I survey the room. “Carly took something that doesn’t belong to her, and I need to get itback.”
Pen shakes her head. “Annie’s never going to forgiveyou.”
The possibility settles into my stomach, burning at my insides like the alcohol. “I hope you’rewrong.”
I return to Carly’s side. We mingle, and she drinks. I try to feed her alcohol—not so much as to get her incapacitated, but enough to keep her oblivious to my limited attention. I figure it’s working until she drags me onto the dancefloor.