“Ryder?”
Jacinda stands up and wipes her mouth, glaring at Elizabeth who is holding on to Jayson.
I can’t tuck myself in fast enough. I zip up my pants, shame dousing over me like gasoline and Elizabeth is the match ready to burn me to the ground.
Jacinda curls herself around my waist, a smug grin aimed at Elizabeth.
A strained silence filled with regret and remorse hangs over us as the crickets chirp and the voices of partiers drift over from the bonfire.
Before I can say a word or rush over to Elizabeth and beg her to forgive me, Jayson vomits all over her shoes.
Chapter 13
Elizabeth
It’s Valentine’s Day and Jayson is taking me to Anaïs, a very exclusive restaurant located in the next town over. Maria and I went dress shopping last weekend and I found a gorgeous dark blue V-neck chiffon A-line midi dress. I pull the plastic protective covering off the hanger and place the hook over the bathroom door. I’m streaming some benign Top 40 pop music, shaking my butt to the beat as I finish straightening my hair with the flat iron. My phone pings and I see a text from Maria.
Maria: What do you think? Too much?
She attaches a picture she took of her herself in the full-length mirror inside of her closet. Maria’s wearing the yellow cocktail dress she bought. It looks good against her tanned skin and dark hair. She’s paired it with gold t-strap five-inch heels. Her hair is twisted up on top of her head with loose tendrils curling around her ears and neck. She looks stunning.
She and Ryder started dating a month ago and I’m trying not to act weird about it around her. If there was anyone I would approve of for Ryder to date, it’s my girl, Maria. She’s so smitten with him and it’s good to see him smiling. Maria is such a goofball, you can't help but laugh when she’s around.
Me: You look beautiful.
Maria: I’m so nervous.
Me: You will break hearts tonight. Have fun.
Maria: OMG! He’s here! Got 2 go xxoo
I go back to the bathroom mirror and pick up my mascara, needing to hurry because Jayson will be here in ten minutes. My hand shakes as I bring it up to my eye.Dammit. I toss it aside and lean against my bathroom counter to stare at myself. My eyes take in my light blond hair. I cut it some, about 5 inches, so it hangs at my shoulder blades, and had some layering put in to give more volume along the sides. Jayson says he loves it and runs his hands through my hair every chance he gets. I look deeper at my sage green eyes. I wonder if Jayson can see what lurks behind them. I wonder if Ryder can.
My phone pings again.
Julien: Our boy is about to climb the walls waiting to come get you.
Me: I’m almost done getting ready.
Julien: Hold on…
My phone starts going off and I see Julien’s name requesting a video call with me. I swipe accept immediately.
“Hey sexy girl,” Julien chirps as soon as his face comes up on the screen. I must look ridiculous in full make-up and hair wearing my unicorn robe. I squint at the screen because Julien’s face is hard to make out.
“Where are you? It’s really dark.”
“I had to hide in the laundry room so Jay couldn't hear me. You look ravishing, Liz.”
I snort. “Yeah, right. Are you about ready to head out too?”
“Yeah. I’m going to wait for you guys to leave first, just in case. And I want to see what happens.”
“What’s going to happen?”
“You’ll see,” he grins widely.
Even though he’s full of teasing right now, I know Julien is apprehensive about his date tonight. I’m the only one who knows about it, and he has sworn me to secrecy. He still hasn’t come out to his parents, to Jayson or Ryder either. I feel guilty as hell keeping secrets from Jayson, but it's not my secret to tell and I will not betray Julien or the trust he has in me.
