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“Okay, Fee, that’s enough.” Aunt Hailee clapped her hand over Mom’s mouth. “Why don’t we see the dresses now?”
Mom’s eyes crinkled with laughter. “If you don’t think our daughters are chasing after boys just like we were back in the day then you’re only fooling yourself.”
“That’s what worries me,” Aunt Hailee pursed her lips, flicking her eyes to Ashleigh.
“I think girls get a bad rap,” Peyton said. “It’s quite acceptable for guys to sow their wild oats and play the field, but if a girl wants to enjoy herself, she’s branded a slut.”
Aunt Hailee almost choked on her champagne. “Well, that’s definitely one way of putting it, Peyton.”
“Girls will always be held to a different standard,” Sofia’s mom said. “But as long as you’re being sensible and safe, then there’s no harm in having a little fun.”
“Mom, gross,” Sofia balked.
The shop assistant wheeled in the rack of dresses. “Okay, who wants to go first?” she asked.
Ashleigh’s hand shot up. “Me. Definitely me.” Her eyes slid to mine in question. “If that’s okay with Lily.”
“Be my guest.”
Hopefully she’d take longer than necessary, and I wouldn’t be subjected to parading around in front of them all in a dress I had no intentions of wearing.
But then one caught my eye. A charcoal skater style dress with silver embroidery that reminded me of Kaiden’s eyes.
It wasn’t the prettiest dress on the rack or even the most expensive, but if I had to pick one, that was the one. For a second, I imagined what it would be like wearing it, walking into the school gymnasium on Kaiden’s arm.
And not having everyone look at me and wonder why someone like him was with someone like me.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Kaiden
Saturday morning rolled around,and I felt like I’d been hit by a truck. Every muscle in my body ached, my limbs heavy and sore.
We’d beaten Levinson, but it had been a tough game. They had a huge defense who quickly anticipated our strategy. They were all over us, but in the end, we’d gotten the win which was all that mattered. And the scout from Alabama had introduced himself, complimenting me on a good game.
When the bus rolled back into the Rixon High parking lot, everyone had gone off to party at Lindsey’s house, but I’d headed straight home. She was starting to give me the fucking creeps, always watching me. Finding any excuse to come over and talk to me. I didn’t know how many times I’d told her I wasn’t interested, but she wasn’t fucking listening. So my new plan was to avoid her as much as possible.
My cell phone bleeped, and Bryan’s name filled the screen.
Bryan:All set for later. You owe me for this!
Kaiden:Thanks, man, I appreciate it.
Bryan:Yeah, yeah. Just leave everything as you found it…
When I’d invited Lilyout to celebrate her birthday, I’d forgotten that we couldn’t actually go anywhere public. So I had to get a little creative, and since she seemed to like Bryan’s pool house so much, and the last time we were there ended so fucking badly, I figured we could have a do over.
Only this time, Bryan was going to give us the entire place to ourselves.
A loud crash downstairs startled me, and I leaped out of bed.
“Lewis, for God’s sake, sit down. Before you break—”
Another crash echoed through the house, and I was out of my room in a second.
“Mom, what happ—” I ground to a halt, watching my dad as he stumbled around the kitchen trying to pour himself another drink. “Fuck,” I breathed. “What is he doing?”
“Your father only just got home,” Mom let out a pained sigh.
