“As long as the entire campus won’t be there, I’m in.” Her gaze falls; she’s probably remembering the ride from earlier. “So, what do you guys want to do now? Besides being a horrible influence on my academic attendance record.” She crosses her arms with a fake angry stare.
“We could watch a movie,” Dean offers. “Orliterallywhatever you want.”
Her eyes bulge with excitement. “Oh my God, wait, in the theater?”
“Yes.” Dean grins proudly.
“I’m in,” she practically shouts.
After grabbing her phone from her backpack, she races out of the room and down the hall, hastily retrieving her clothes and chucking them into Dean’s room before continuing on to the theater.
“I’d literally kill anyone for her,” I blurt out, hearing her excitement echo down the hall to us as she reaches the cinema.
Dean sighs happily. “Me too, dude.”
“Also, how in the fuck is this not weird between us? Literally sharing a girl,” I scoff, addressing the elephant in the room.
He laughs, tipping his head back. “I’ve had that same thought a thousand times over. I don’t have an answer. I’m just glad it’s not.” He pauses. “It’s easy with her and sharing with you. I have no issues with it.”
“Same here,” I mutter, standing up to find my boxers and jeans. “I’m going to change, then head in there.”
“All right,” he says, pulling his sweatshirt over his head. “I’m going to grab Gus and get him a few treats for the movie.”
“You’re going to get Gus?” I get way too excited about seeing him again.
Never in my life did I think I would love a little mouse as a pet, but he’s basically our son now, and I shall love him accordingly.
He nods, a proud, fatherly gleam in his eye. “Duh, it’s family movie time.”
“Get snacks for us, too, while you’re at it,” I tell him, heading into the hallway.
He flips me off. “If you’re lucky.”
Dean and Asher told me to meet them out front at seven fifteen, ready for dinner.
After a long debate with Jules this morning regarding what to wear, I decided on a long periwinkle A-line gown with a slit up my left leg that reaches the heavens. The stunning silk tapers at my waist, held atop my shoulders by thin straps that flow into a V neckline. This is a piece I made back at my parents’ house, using clearance material I got at the fabric store. But you can’t tell by the way it turned out.
I slip on the pair of heels Myra lent me and throw my phone into the small handbag I’m borrowing from Jules. If it wasn’t for these two, I’d be a complete mess.
“You look great!” Jules shouts from the doorway of my room.
I nearly jump out of my skin because I didn’t hear her approach.
“Thank you.” I smile, walking her way, my heels clicking across the floor. “I’m nervous.”
She shakes her head with a laugh. “Don’t be. They’re crazy about you. Anyone can see that. It’s going to be a great night.”
Quickly, I grab Blair’s and Alora’s garment bags containing their dresses. I hook my arm in hers, and we head upstairs so I can meet the guys out front, my heart hammering in my chest.
“I finished Adrianna’s gown last night,” I mutter, telling Jules about her custom piece.
She groans at the mention of my evil stepmother. “The last damn one you’ll ever make that woman.”
“You’re right,” I say confidently.
Adrianna can threaten me or my parents’ house as much as she wants. I’m done being the dirt under her shoe. I deserve better than everything she’s given me.
We walk across the foyer toward the front doors.
