“Remi, sweetheart, can I come in?”
“I’m still not feeling good, Mom,” I mumble, hoping she’ll leave me alone.
“Okay, missy, I’ve given you enough time to wallow.” She slips into the room. “Time to come back to the real world.”
“Go away.” I pull the cushion over my head.
It’s Friday, and I’ve spent pretty much every second since my showdown with Michaela on Wednesday locked away in my room.
It’s too much.
The things she said about my dad.
The things she insinuated about her and Ace.
I want to know exactly what happened—it burns inside me like a firestorm—but I’m not ready to hear the truth.
Not yet.
Even if it is all another lie. Another cheap shot at trying to break me.
“Sweetheart, stop.” Mom’s fingers gently ease the pillow away from my face. “This isn’t you, Remi. Where’s the strong, brave girl I know you can be?”
“I’m just tired, Mom. I’m tired of the games and the lies. I’m tired of always wondering what she’s going to say or do next to trip me up. Why does she hate me so much?”
“That’s a question I can’t answer. But you know, I remember Michaela when you were just little girls. She was always so quiet and wary of everything around her. It hit her hard when her dad left.”
“I don’t remember,” I say.
“You wouldn’t. You were both so young back then. You were fierce and stubborn. So stubborn.” She smiles wistfully, lost in the memory.
“I think I remember that. It was Michaela’s birthday. Her mom threw her a huge party, and even though she had no dad there, I remember thinking how many people turned up.”
It had been my birthday a few weeks earlier, and all I’d wanted was to go to Surf’s with my mom and dad. But Dad never showed up, and I cried during the entire meal.
“Did you know?” I ask, and Mom blinks away the tears clinging to her eyes.
“I think part of me always knew. Of course, I had no idea it was Della until much later. After Michaela’s birthday, the two of you were inseparable. But something changed. You went into your shell and Michaela emerged from hers. I can’t pinpoint exactly when it happened, but one day I remember watching you both play in the yard and wondering when my little girl became the quiet, timid girl. But you seemed content enough, so I didn’t question it…”
“Mom?”
“Did you suspect anything? See anything?” Her voice cracks.
“You mean with Dad and Della? I-I don’t think so. I was so used to him not being around, I didn’t ever stop to think he might be having an affair.”
“Oh, sweetheart, I’m sorry.” Mom hugs me. “I’m so sorry. Michaela was always so jealous. I think it started off as her armor, a way to protect herself, but over the years, it became a weapon. I should have listened more. I should have been there for you instead of worrying what your father might think about his precious stepdaughter.”
The venom in Mom’s words surprises me.
“I’ll be honest, Remi, I wasn’t sad to see your friendship end. I thought you’d escape from under her shadow, I thought you’d find new friends. I didn’t realize how difficult life would be for you.”
“She said some really shitty things to me yesterday, Mom. And Ace is almost positive it was her who leaked the tape at my birthday party.”
Mom jerks back with a startled gasp. “It was Michaela?”
“We don’t have proof.” Yet, I think. Although who knows what Ace has discovered since whatever went down between them.
I push the thoughts far from my head.
My heart aches enough without thinking about what did or didn’t happen between them.
But Mom clearly hasn’t got the memo when she asks, “Have you spoken to him?”
I press my lips together, shaking my head gently.
“Oh, sweetheart, you should. I didn’t want to interfere because Lord only knows I’ve done enough of that already. But he sent you something.”
“He did?” That has my attention.
A knowing smile twinkles in her eyes. “Give me one minute.”
Mom disappears and I grab my cell, re-reading all of Ace’s messages. I can practically feel his desperation in every word. But he broke my trust.
He broke part of us.
And I’m not sure I can just forgive him.
Not this time.
Even if it makes me stubborn and foolish.
His last text is the hardest to read.
Ace: If you want space, I’ll give it to you… but I’ll never stop loving you Remi, ever. I can’t.
Mom reappears with a big box in her hands, and I quickly switch off my cell.
“Calling someone?” she teases, and I scrunch my nose up at her.
“No one important.” The lie sours on my tongue.
Ace isn’t important, he’s… everything.
But my emotions are all wired wrong. The hurt and pain of my past are inexplicably woven in the love I have for him.
It’s very confusing.
“I haven’t opened it.” Mom settles the box on the bed, pulling me from my thoughts.
With shaky hands, I lift off the lid and dig through the layers of tissue paper.
“Oh my gosh,” Mom breathes as my fingers meet lace, and I gently remove the dress from the box.
“A dress. He got me a dress.”
“Not just any dress, sweetheart. That is one perfect dress.”
She’s not wrong. I gingerly climb off the bed and move over to the mirror, holding the dress up against my body. It’s a black skater dress with a lace hem and matching lace Bardot bodice and off the shoulder sleeves.
It’s perfect. Pretty but not too feminine. It’s exactly the type of dress I’d pick for myself if I had to.
“Now if that isn’t a sign of a boy in love, I don’t know what is.” She reaches over to pick up the note inside the box and I pluck it out of her hand.
Every girl should get one perfect dance.
Come to Homecoming with me Remi, and I’ll explain everything, I promise.
It’s you and me baby, always.
A xo
Damn him.
Damn Ace and his persistent texts and beautiful gifts and heartfelt notes. He isn’t playing fair. Chipping away at my resolve until he thinks I’ll crack.
“Well, don’t just stand there staring at the damn thing. Put it on.” Mom gives me an encouraging nod.
“I don’t know, Mom. Homecoming really isn’t my thing.”
“Remi.” She stands and comes over to me, touching my cheek. “You are a beautiful, brave, and headstrong young woman. Surely you’re not going to let the likes of Michaela or a little fight with Ace stop you from going to Homecoming?”
“But Ace…”
“Loves you. He loves you, Remi. It’s written all over his face every time he looks at you. I’ll be honest with you, sweetheart, his intensity toward you scares me a little. You’re both so young… but something tells me he would move mountains to make you happy.”
I clutch the dress to my body. I had no intention of going to Homecoming, but Mom’s right. I’ve spent my entire life living in the shadows at Sterling Prep.
Maybe it’s time to step into the light.
Maybe it’s my time to shine.
“Do you think I can wear my sneakers?” I ask, and Mom’s soft laughter wraps around me like a blanket.
“Come on,” she says. “I think I might have something that will work.”
I’m adding the final touches to my make-up when I hear something outside the kitchen doors.
My heart flutters at the prospect of seeing Ace. I haven’t texted him back yet, so it doesn’t surprise me that he’s grown impatient and taken matters into his own hands.
Blotting my lips one last time, I walk over to the back door and pull it open. But there’s nothing there.
Frowning, I step outside. “Ace?” I call only to be met with silence. A shudder rolls through me.
“Remi?”
“I’m out here, Mom.”
“What is it?” She meets me at the door.
“Nothing, I guess. I thought I heard someone…” I glance back, but there’s nothing but the empty sidewalk and the beach behind that.
“Probably just the wind.”
“Yeah, maybe.”
“Are you all set? You look stunning, sweetheart.” Mom holds my shoulders, taking me in.
My hair is in a relaxed updo, leaving a few waves loose around my face. It draws attention to the low-cut neckline of my dress. I searched for my locket again earlier but couldn’t find it, so I’ve opted for a plain velvet choker. It looks killer alongside the black ankle boots Mom gave me.
Ace is going to die when he sees me.
At least, I hope so.
My nerves only grow as Mom drives me to Sterling Prep. Homecoming is always held in the Old Hall, one of the beautiful brick buildings on campus. Hadley had tried to talk me into going to the football game beforehand, but I didn’t want to sit through another game alone.
It’s going to be hard enough walking into the dance alone, but it’s something I need to do. I can’t really explain it, but it feels like everything has been leading to this point.
Mom stops right outside the Old Hall and twists around to me. “Ready?”
“As I’ll ever be.” I give her a tight smile.
“You’ve got this, sweetheart. Gosh, Remi, I’m so proud of you. I hope you know that.” She leans in and gives me a little hug, careful not to snag my hair.
“Okay,” I take a deep breath. “Here goes nothing.”
I’ve arrived fashionably late, so I know Hadley is already inside. But I don’t know if Ace is here yet.
Mom watches with glossy eyes as I climb out of the car and make my way inside. The music is loud, drowning out the laughter and chatter of my classmates beyond. Everyone is probably high on the win. I heard from Hadley that the Seahawks won their game by a landslide.
“Holy crap, girl.” She spots me and hurries over. “You look amazing.”
“Thank you. Ace got me the dress.”
“No shit.” Her smile is too sweet.
“Hads… what did you do?”
“Who, me?”
“Ace called you, didn’t he?” Of course he’d had some help. I should have known.
“If it’s any consolation, I only gave him your size and a list of do-nots. The rest was one hundred percent all him. And the boy did good.” She grabs my hand and makes me twirl. “He’s going to freak when he sees you.”
“About that.” I lean in, lowering my voice. “Is he here?”
“You mean you didn’t call him yet? Remi!”
“I know, I know, I just… I feel like I’m giving in too easily again.”
“Well, if you want to drive him wild, get in there, grab the first guy you see, and shake that fine ass all over him. Ace won’t know what’s hit him.”
“I didn’t come to cause any trouble, Hads. I think we’ve all had enough of that.”
“Well, I don’t know about you, but I came to have fun.” Her gaze drops to her purse and she waggles her brows. “Wanna join me in the restroom for a little pre-party pick-me-up?”
My eyes grow to saucers and she giggles. “Vodka, Remi. I snuck in a bottle of vodka. Geez, what do you think I was talking about?”
“Sorry, I…”
“It’s cool. But come on, we need to hurry. They’re going to announce the king and queen soon and I’m rooting for Michaela to get knocked off her throne.”
“I think we both know that’s unlikely, Hads,” I grumble as we both walk hand in hand to the restroom. “She’s a sure win.”
“Oh, I don’t know.” She shrugs, but I don’t miss the faint smirk on her face. “I have a feeling the odds may be in our favor tonight.”
The student committee has gone all out for Homecoming. Blue and white balloons decorate big round tables, and silver streamers hang from the ceiling and wrap around the wall lamps. It’s like Seahawk school spirit puked up all over the place. I want to hate it. Part of me does hate it, but as I stand on the edge of the dance floor watching Conner twirl a tipsy Hadley around like a rag doll, I can’t help but smile. Maybe it’s the vodka running through my veins, or the fact that I feel beautiful in the dress Ace bought me, but I don’t feel their stares or hear the hum of their whispers.
I do, however, feel the person step up behind me. “Ace—’ I spin around, the words dying on the tip of my tongue. “Oh, it’s you.”
“Is that any way to greet an old friend?” Bexley sneers, swaying slightly on his feet. He’s buzzed, his pupils blown and jaw tight. “Looking good, Remi Bear.”
“You should get lost, Bexley, before Ace—’ I see him across the room, my body humming with nervous energy.
A low growl rumbles in Bexley’s chest as he glances over his shoulder. “You have got to be fucking kidding me. You’re still going to go back to that piece of shit after he played you?”
“Newsflash, Bexley, even if I’m not with Ace, I’ll never be yours. What part of that don’t you get?”
Ace starts toward us, murder in his eyes. I let out a low groan. This isn’t going to end well.
“You should go, Bexley. I mean it.”
He chuckles darkly, leaning in. “You and me, we’ve got unfinished business…” He leaves the warning hanging as he saunters away, hands in his pockets, wearing his trademark entitled-asshole smile.
I turn to face the dance floor again, giving myself a second to catch my breath. Bexley is becoming unhinged, and I know I need to tell Ace about the texts and the fact that I’m pretty sure he’s been stalking the house.
This time, when I feel someone behind me, I don’t falter. Ace’s strong arms wrap around me from behind, his lips brushing the shell of my ear. “Do you have any idea how good you look?”
“Do you have any idea how mad I am with you?”
“I know, Princess. But right now, I don’t want to fight. I want to dance with the girl who owns not only my heart but my balls as well.” He slips around me.
He looks so good in dark slacks and a black dress shirt. The sleeves are pushed up to his elbows and he’s left his collar open, giving a hint at the ink and muscle beneath.
He looks devastating, and my heart races in my chest that I get to call him mine.
Even if he drives me completely insane sometimes.
“So what do you say, Remi?” He holds out his hand, nothing but love and lust shining in his eyes. “Dance with me?”
