“Seriously? We’re doing—”
I elbowed Zane in the ribs. “Humor the lady,” I hissed.
“Sure thing,” he grunted, moving into position beside me.
We posed for a few photographs, and then Zane and Kye headed out to the car, giving me a moment alone with Jessa.
“Oh, Nix, you look so dashing, sweetheart. I want you to enjoy tonight, okay? You’ve earned it.”
“Thanks, for everything.”
“Come here.” Jessa pulled me into her slim arms and held me tight. “I’m proud of you, Nix. More than you’ll ever know.”
We broke away and I cleared my throat, attempting to dislodge the ball of emotion stuck there. “We need to go,” I said.
“Of course.” She waved me off. “Have fun and say hi to Harleigh for me.”
It wasn’t until I was almost at the car, I realized what she’d said.
The school gymnasium looked like a dollar-store wedding with its magenta and black streamers and half-deflated balloons. But when you were organizing a school dance on a shoestring budget, you had to work with what you had.
“This is fucking depressing,” Zane grumbled as we watched our classmates dance and grind up on each other to the two-bit local band who had been asked to play.
“Hench seems to be enjoying himself,” Kye motioned to where Cherri was giving him a lap dance at their table.
“Real classy.” I shook my head.
“That could have been you, Nix.”
I shuddered at the thought. Cherri had given me a wide berth since the party, and if she knew what was good for her, she would keep it that way.
Checking my cell phone, I let out a frustrated sigh. Ninety minutes. I only had to get through ninety more minutes and then we could leave and head to Nate’s house.
“Well, since we’re here, I might as well check out the offerings.” Kye rubbed his hands together, homing in on a group of girls on the edge of the dance floor. “Zane, can I interest—”
“I hope your dick falls off.”
“That sounds an awful lot like jealousy, my friend.” Kye grinned before stalking off toward the girls.
“How’s your gran?” I changed the subject.
“She has her good and bad days.”
“If you need anything—”
“I appreciate it,” Zane said. “But I can handle it.”
“You know, Celeste will be there later.”
“So?” He shrugged, casting me a sideways glance.
“Just thought you might want to know.”
“Well, I don’t.”
“Okay. Forget I said anything. I just think—”
I noticed a shift in the air. Everyone was looking at me. Not at me, past me.