“I have a car.”
Chapter 6
Harper
And that, my friends, is how Easton Westermann became my prom date.
Not to brag or anything, because the way I got my prom date is the same way I became a willing accomplice in his second petty crime of the evening: getting undetected onto school property and raising the stolen Rhino up the flagpole.
He needed me as much as I needed him.
Without me driving him the remaining distance to our school, which was clear across town, he would have been in more danger of being discovered, and I don’t know about you, but who has the stamina to haul all that gear six miles?
This required stealth.
Because of all the security cameras on campus, I had to park my car down the hill near the old water tower. Together, we trekked up a short side road, then put on baseball caps and some old pandemic face masks that I happen to keep hanging on my gear shift.
Don’t ask me why.
I carried the rhino head while Easton carried its furry body,and somehow, by the grace of God, we managed to hook all of it to the pulleys. They miraculously bore all the weight, and within five minutes we completed his task.
My heart has never beat so fast.
Never.
Now, back at my house, I roll over so I’m facing the wall in my bedroom, placing a hand on my fluttering stomach.
Is this guilt I’m feeling? Or anticipation?
Or gas.
Should I feel like an asshole for blackmailing Easton?
Absolutely.
Do I, though?
Eh.
Ask me again later because I HAVE A DATE FOR PROM!
And not only is he my date, he’s agreed to be on the decorating committee with me when none of my friends would. Under duress, sure. But on the committee all the same.
Before he got out of my car—after discarding the mascot and driving him home—I gave him my phone number. Since then, I’ve been anxiously waiting to see if he’ll text.
He has to.We have a deal.
I have photos of him doing shit he isn’t supposed to be doing, and because I’m a major dick, as extra insurance, I snapped a pic of him dumping the mascot by the flagpole, too.
Sorry not sorry. Do you blame me?
This entire evening was bonkers. Coercing a guy into being your date feels shittier than I thought it would, but after those words were out of my mouth there was no turning back.
He was in the wrong place at the right time and he needed my help, I reason to myself. Shouldn’t I get something in return forsaving his ass? This is a fair exchange. All he has to do is put on a suit and show up and I can handle the rest.
He owes me.
It’s a win-win.
