It’s January. I should be happy. I shouldn’t be at a fucking winter-themed military ball. But how could I turn down Violet’s offer? If she needs me, I will always be there for her. This is our last night together before she’s back in Texas.
I want to get so drunk that I can’t walk or think straight anymore. I don’t want to feel the grief I’ve been feeling all year—only the gratification of losing myself. I don’t even want to think about the horrible things I said to my ex-boyfriend.
Shiny, glittering chandeliers hang from the ceiling as we walk toward the ballroom. The light brown colored walls have paintings of vintage couples in love. The lighting is warm yellow with candles everywhere.
It’s beautiful. Like a European kingdom.
The ballroom is decorated with snow on the floor. A massive dark green winter tree so tall it almost touches the high ceilings. A star at the top shines bright, glimmering golden specks as it twirls in circles. Snowflakes bounce off the ceilings, floors, and walls.
Music plays loud and smooth. I smile as Violet hooks her arm with mine and smiles as well.
“I love military balls when they go out like this. They’re usually shitty,” Violet jokes into my ear before returning to Zeke’s arm.
We take in our surroundings. Tables are set on either side of the dance floor.
Sailors in their blue dress uniform, everywhere.
They all look the same—it’s comical.
Every man blends in with each other…except one.
Grim Reaper.
I stop breathing. My chest thuds unevenly rough, and I’m hot.
He stands with Rooker and Noel. Kane and Lopez are at the table next to them, and they’re deep into light-hearted conversations. I can’t hear them over the loud chatter and the music that drowns them out, but their body language tells me a lot.
They’re all covered with medals and achievements, and Danny has the most out of them all.
We were supposed to come here together. Our official outing as a couple was supposed to be tonight.
He brings a glass to his lips and catches me. He looks my way for a split second and blinks. At first, he does a double take. He looks back at his glass and swallows the familiar dark amber poison.
Then I spot another pair of beautiful blue eyes looking my way.
Kane eyes me with pure shock and warmth. Danny, too.
My ex deadpans as he grits his teeth, staring into my soul as he always does, sending me to melt into a pool of serenity. My vision changes to the dark-haired Navy SEAL now.
Kane looks mesmerized with his mouth falling open, licking his lips. He closes it, swallowing. His Adam’s apple bobs, and he shifts in his seat.
Meredith occupies his left, and she overlooks Violet and me. She’s talking to Lopez, throwing her head back, laughing hard, smacking her thigh as she laughs at something he said. Lopez leans in close to her ear as they laugh.
Danny looks tense, and Kane seems the same. Danny doesn’t budge. He won’t break. He’s so… intimidating. Kane is entrapping. They both are… It’s like they can’t believe I showed up.
Michael Bublé’s Christmas music begins to play, and after what feels like an hour of holding these intense expressions, I break away.
This was a bad idea.
I clear my throat as Violet holds me closer. She notices my hesitation and quickly hovers over me protectively.
“Don’t worry, we’re not sitting with them. We’re sitting with Zeke’s team over here,” Violet whispers as she guides me along. I nod, pursing my lips and forcing a small smile.
I clutch my small wallet as my breathing starts to pace evenly.
I’m wearing a long red dress ball gown that hugs my body. It’s a see-through mesh embroidery that barely covers my chest. You can see cleavage, red rhinestones threaded carefully into the fabric along my chest and I’m embracing the new me. I’m showing off the body that Danny showed me how to love.
To love myself and to be unashamed of my body.
No.
I don’t want to think of him. I don’t want to think about the night we fought. The night I yelled and screamed at him. The night that ended things.
Zeke pulls my chair out first and then Violet’s.
“Enjoy watching grown-ass adults act like children that get shit-faced,” Violet says sarcastically, shrugging.
“Looking forward to it,” I say as I turn to Zeke, tucking in the dress carefully as I shift in my chair. I want to avoid wrinkling the dress Danny bought me. He slides me a glass of sangria—my favorite.
