At first, what she says doesn’t register, but then my brows shoot up. “What are you talking about?”
“Will, Gabby, and a few others planned to embarrass you at our graduation. They were going to dump… well, I’d rather not say. Sometimes, I can still smell the manure in that bucket.”
I sit with that for a beat, then a laugh barks out of me. I can’t control it as it roars into the limited space of my bedroom, bouncing off the walls. “Holy shit. Are you serious? They werethatupset?”
“They were still convinced you deliberately burned down the old gym, and they wanted to get revenge, I guess.”
“It’s so weird that they considered me a criminal just because I dressed differently.”
She shrugs, smirking with amusement. “Critical thinking skills. This town lacks them, I’m afraid. I wonder if it’s rooted in some kind of karma. I guess we’re immune.”
“Thank god,” I say, resting my hand on my stomach. “Did they ever find out you’re the one who stopped it?”
She shakes her head. “No. I think they were too freaked out when they saw it was missing to question who did it. If they had admitted to it and it was a janitor or teacher who discovered it, they would get in big trouble.” She bites her bottom lip. “And it wasn’t just me. Nolan Spencer helped me.”
Out of everything she could have said, that is the most shocking. “Student bodypresident, Nolan Spencer?”
“Yeah. I think he may be immune too.” The corner of her lip turns up. “I would never have let that happen to you. Even if you were just another person and not someone who caught my eye. I wouldn’t be able to stand by during something like that.”
I believe that. For all her faults, Stacey isn’t a bystander. You could argue that her not standing up for me throughout the years was wrong, but I never needed her help. I stood on my own two feet just fine, and I’m pretty sure she’s always known that.
Her eyes go to the sliver of skin escaping at my waistband,her eyes dilating in the same fashion as before, only this time she is zoned in, completely enraptured by the happy trail she sees there.
She bends forward, taking my shirt and pulling it up to expose more of my skin. When she puts her lips there and kisses ever so slightly, I let out a deep sigh.
“I’m so glad I beat Will’s ass into a pulp,” I mutter, watching her through half-lidded eyes as she kisses down my stomach, paying close attention to each ridge and muscle in my abs.
“Me too,” she says, moaning when she gets to the hard ridge in my sweatpants. She undoes the string holding them together and pulls down, causing my cock to spring up. She wraps her fingers around me, and my breath hitches. “Now, how about we cross something else off our list?”
Then she takes me in her mouth for the first time, and I black out.
SIXTEEN
Playing: “Dirty Little Secret” by The All-American Rejects
“Didyou see Cody with Jessica Hancock?” Gabby whispers. We all look over and see the couple, their body language uncomfortable as they try to hide in the corner, their champagne glasses stiff in their palms. Jessica’s gown is a beautiful emerald and Cody’s tie matches it impeccably.
“Ohshit,” Quinn says as she gawks at them. “I have heard they’ve been on a few dates, but I thought they were just rumors.”
Gabby fixes a strand of her hair while looking into her compact mirror and scoffs. “Yeah, because he’s set to inherit his dad’s firm, so his parents set them up. They don’t look happy at all.”
No, they don’t. Still, I think it’s kind of smart for them to use this gala to announce their courtship. Several gossip-worthy things will probably happen today, and then their attendance will seem like a blip.
“Arranged marriages seem kind of… outdated?” Hannah says from her spot at the table, her yellow dress stunning under the chandelier lights. “I mean, why can’t he get to know someone he likes?”
“They have to vet the wife of their future heir,” Gabby sneers at Hannah like she is a child. “Why wouldn’t they be cautious? They know Jessica and her family, so they trust she’s a good choice.”
“But if he’sunhappy?—”
“Gosh, Hannah. He’s going to make more money than most people can dream of. Who cares about being happy? He can buy gold golf clubs and go to the country club like every other unhappy husband in this town.”
Hannah shuts up and goes back to sipping her cocktail, visibly upset at the tone in our friend’s voice. I put my hand on her shoulder for support, giving her a wink to know I agree with her. She smiles, some of the tension falling away as Quinn and Gabby continue talking about other people’s lives to feel satisfied with their own.
“Stacey!” I hear from across the way. My mother’s hand is waving out to me, trying to get my attention as my father talks to a few gala attendees beside her.
I stifle my urge to roll my eyes and drink the rest of my vodka soda. “I’ll be right back.”
When I get to my parents, their painted smiles are already in full effect.
