“Thank you,” he whispers, leaning in for a soft kiss.
A camera flash goes off.
We glance over to see all three parents with their phones up, snapping photos and not looking the least bit sorry about it.
Cull huffs a laugh and tugs me toward the front door. “Alright, let’s get this photoshoot over with.”
Outside, we pose in front of the Andersons’ house for the obligatory pre-prom pics. Once the parents have their fill, we escape to my Bronco to pick up Ella. My mom heads off to meet Hadley at Maggie’s house, then everyone’s regrouping later in front of the country club, where prom is being held for the full group photos.
Ella’s waiting on the front porch when we pull up. She looks up from her phone at the sound of my engine and smiles. She speaks over her shoulder to someone inside, then skips down the steps toward us.
“I’ll hang out here while y’all do the photo op,” Cullen says. His voice is even, but there’s a tightness around his eyes. It was his idea for me to bring Ella as my date, but I know it sucks for him just as much as it does for me that we aren’t going as a couple.
I climb out, the corsage box in hand and walk over to meet her. She looks gorgeous. Her dark blue, fitted dress hugs her figure, cuffing at her neck and baring her shoulders and back. A thigh-high slit toes the line of decency. Her long black hair is half-pinned back, soft curls falling down her back, and her makeup glows, subtle but flawless.
“You look amazing,” I tell her honestly, handing over the box. She smiles as she opens it.
“It’s so pretty, thank you.” She wraps her arms around my neck and hugs me, then slides the corsage onto her wrist while admiring the flowers. It’s fussier than Cullen’s boutonniere, with two pink roses surrounded by baby’s breath, tied with a soft off-white ribbon. It complements her dress perfectly, and she says as much.
Mrs. Amy bursts out of the house, all energy and excitement. “Hudson, you look so handsome! You two make a beautiful couple,” she gushes.
“Thanks…” I guess Ella didn’t tell her parents that we “broke up”. Mrs. Amy is the one who pushed the hardest for us to go out, so maybe Ella felt like she couldn’t tell her just yet. That’s fine by me. The less people I have to explain that situation to, the better.
“Mom, did you grab Hudson’s boutonniere off the table like I asked?” Ella calls.
“Oh! Yes, here you go.”
Ella pulls the flower from the package and pins it to my lapel. It’s nearly identical to Cullen’s, same burgundy rose and white accent flowers, but the ribbon matches Ella’s instead.
“Okay, you two. Let’s get a few pictures, then you can head out.” She positions us in front of a big hydrangea bush and has me put my arm around Ella’s waist. Dozens of photos later, she calls it. “Alright, I think that’ll do. You kids have fun!”
Ella gives her mom a hug, then I lead her to the Bronco. Through the dark tint of the back window, I spot Cullen in the rear seat, scrolling on his phone. He gives me a wink, and I exhale a small breath of relief. I help Ella into the passenger seat, make sure her dress is clear of the door, then jog around to slide behind the wheel.
“Hey, Ella. You look nice,” Cullen compliments from the back.
She turns, surprised like she forgot he would be here. “Oh, thanks. You look nice too… I guess.” Cull rolls his eyes, but smirks.
We make easy small talk on the half-hour drive to the venue. By the time we get there, the parking lot is already packed with limos and shiny, luxury vehicles that parents let their kids drive for this one night only.
I park in the first spot I see, not caring if we have to walk a little. We clamber out of the car as best we can in the restrictive formal wear we’re all wearing, giving each other final once-overs before Ella takes my arm and we head toward the entrance.
Hadley is the first person I spot. Kind of hard not to in her hot pink, sparkly cupcake monstrosity of a dress. Her hair’s twisted into some frou-frou updo with little tendrils curling by her face, and her makeup is thick enough to see the brushstrokes from here. She looks like a deranged Barbie.
“Holy shit,” Cull mutters, stepping up beside me. “What the hell is Hads wearing?”
“I love my sister, but let’s be honest—you dodged a bullet tonight.”
Cull tries and fails to stifle a laugh, which draws the attention of said cupcake in heels. Ella rushes over to Hadley and starts gushing, pointing out every glittering, beaded detail on her dress. Hadley eats it up like a starving hyena.
“I think I dodged a bullet in general,” Cull utters softly.
I grunt in agreement and step forward to greet our friends. I clasp Archer’s hand and pull him into a bro hug, Cullen right behind me.
“Damn, dudes, we all clean up nice.” Archer grins, giving us both a once-over.
“You wish you were this hot,” Cullen volleys, clapping him on the back.
“He doesn’t have to wish. He’s hotter. No offense.”
