AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I nodded, unable to fight the smile tugging at my mouth.
“Then that’s all that matters.” He smiled back but there was tension behind it.
“Kaiden, what is it? What’s wrong?”
“I spoke to your dad today. He said scouts from Alabama are coming out to the game.”
“They are? That’s fantastic news.” I threw my arms around him. But when I realized he wasn’t hugging me back, I pulled away and frowned. “Isn’t it?”
“Yeah, I mean, it’s all I’ve ever wanted…”
“So what’s the problem?” My heart drummed violently against my chest as something passed between us.
“Kaiden?” I asked again when he didn’t reply. But footsteps came toward us and the blood drained from my face. “I should go,” I whispered.
“Yeah. You go first. I’ll wait and sneak around back.”
“Okay.” I clutched the cupcake box to my chest. “Thank you. Best birthday present ever.” I flashed him the best smile I could muster before slipping out of the stacks and hurrying down the aisle.
It wasn’t until I got back to my desk and sat down that I realized he never smiled back.
* * *
The surprises didn’t end there.My birthday celebrations turned out to be a girl’s shopping slash dinner with Peyton, Poppy and Mom; Ashleigh and Aunt Hailee; and Mrs. Bennet and Sofia. They’d hired a sleek back SUV to chauffeur us around, and we had manis and pedis at their favorite spa before hitting Mom’s favorite boutique for a private dress fitting.
“Isn’t this the best?” Ashleigh laced her arm through mine, and we followed the owner through the store to the back where the luscious dressing room was located.
“We have champagne for the moms,” she announced, “and virgin mimosas for the girls. Make yourselves at home while I get Kylie to wheel in the selection of dresses you’ll be choosing from.”
“Choosing from?” I clarified.
“Well, yes, dear, didn’t your mom tell you? You can each pick one dress to leave with tonight. Courtesy of your fathers I believe.”
“Holy shit,” Ashleigh clapped with glee. “Did you know about this?” she asked her mom.
“Of course we did, sweetheart. Happy birthday, girls.”
“Now you don’t have any excuse not to get something knockout,” Peyton said, shooting me a knowing glance.
“Ssh,” I warned, before someone noticed.
“So do I dare ask who you’re all going to the dance with?” Sofia’s mom asked.
It was always a little weird being around her outside of school.
“Oh, we’re going stag,” Ashleigh said.
“It’s the best way, sweetheart.” Mom agreed with her. “Remember our senior Homecoming?” She glanced at Aunt Hailee. “We went so you could catch Cameron’s eye and ended up bailing and going to that party across the river.”
“Fee.” She shook her head.
“Relax,” Mom chuckled. “They know we were teenagers once.”
“Although we’d like to pretend you weren’t,” Poppy said, and we all laughed.
“I can’t imagine Dad as a senior.” Ashleigh frowned.
“Oh. Your father was quite the—”
