My stomach does a flip. “Shut up. He seriously hates my guts and always has.”
“This development is interesting. I gotta run! Just got to the studio.”
“Bye. See you soon.”
thirteen years earlier
Will is so hot. I couldn’t believe it when a junior asked me to the prom, especially a baseball player.
At first, I thought he might be pranking me, with Dayton’s help. When I jokingly rejected him, he actually looked disappointed. I quickly told him I was kidding and agreed to be his date. We’ve been texting and actuallyflirtingever since.
I adjust the tiny pink roses tucked into the braid around myhead. My dress was altered to fit my shape perfectly. The pale yellow silk hugs my curves in all the right places, and with the sheer sides and high split on the thigh, I feel sexy. I’ve been eating less and trying to lose weight to fit into it for the past month. I’ve never worn anything so scandalous. My mom has never been strict about the clothes I wear. She’s always said modesty is a mindset, not a clothing style.
After finishing up our third slow dance, Will leans down to whisper in my ear, “You wanna get some air?”
I nod, taking his arm and walking with him out of the dance floor area and to the open garden, where students are mingling. I bought the boutonniere he has pinned to his suit. He’s so handsome and funny. I’ve never had a boyfriend or been kissed. I’m hoping he’s planning to ask me out at the end of the night. Butterflies have been fluttering in my belly since he came to pick up.
The school rented out the Grand Palm right on the beach for the prom. In the corner of my eye, I see Dayton leaning back against the railing by the pool area. His tie matches the short red dress his date is wearing. Aurelia is gorgeous and one of the most popular girls in school, so I wasn’t surprised when he asked her. She has thick, curly black hair. Will hasn’t wanted to hang out with them, thank goodness.
“I really just can’t take my eyes off of you, Summer. I’ve kind of had a thing for you since you started here.” Will traces his fingers down my arm before grasping my hand.
I smile down at my shoes before lifting my gaze to meet his. “I honestly had no idea. I thought you’d asked me because Dayton had put you up to it.”
He throws his head back and laughs. “Yeah, well, we’ve always had a healthy competition going. It’s a guy thing, you know? I asked his new stepsister to prom, so he asked my ex.”
“Aurelia is your ex?” I gape at him.
“Yep. Dated since freshman year, up until the week before you moved here. I guess God knew something better was on its way.” He leans down, pressing a kiss to the side of my jawline.
My eyes drift closed.That was almost a real kiss.
I open my eyes to see someone moving toward us. My chest tightens when Dayton approaches Will, holding out two cups of punch. He sets them both down on the balcony railing and reaches into his suit pocket. He pulls out a silver flask and spikes both the drinks.
“Is this your way of saying sorry?” Will asks.
Dayton hands him the cup before tapping the rim of his glass to Will’s.
“You want a handwritten letter instead?”
They both drink. Will laughs as Dayton continues chugging the entire cup.
“You on a diet?” Dayton asks.
Will shakes his head before chugging his. Dayton empties the rest of the flask into both their cups. An uneasy feeling begins to swirl in my gut.
He’s trying to get him drunk.
I cross my arms, letting out a sigh. The night was going so well until Dayton. I don’t know what I could have possibly done for him to want to ruin my prom night.
Will asked me. How is that my fault?
I didn’t ask to be jerked out of my life and moved all the way to an island. I didn’t choose to move into his dad’s house and be forced to share a bathroom with him.
Another flask materializes from Dayton’s suit jacket.
“How many of those did you smuggle in here?” I ask.
Dayton ignores me, pouring two more generous shots.
