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All week, I’d swung back and forth over wanting to go ahead with my plan and thinking it was ridiculous. But I had to do this. It was time to step out from the shadows and own my life.
I loved Kaiden. I was in love with him. And I wanted everyone to know it.
Including Dad.
Mom was coming with us since she knew what a big deal this was for me. She also wanted to be on hand to prevent the inevitable fallout when he realized what was happening.
The relief I’d felt telling her yesterday had been indescribable. All this time, I thought she and Dad would be disappointed or unsupportive, when the fact was, she’d been nothing but understanding.
I guess I should have known, considering she’d fallen in love with her own Raider back in high school.
“Girls,” Mom knocked on my bedroom door. “Are you ready? We need to go if we’re going to make it.”
“Hold up, Aunt Fee,” Ashleigh said, swiping her gloss over my lips. “We are almost… done. Blot.” She shoved some tissue at me.
“Holy shit, babe. You look amazing.” I stood up and Peyton guided me over to the mirror. The girl staring back barely resembled me. Her eyes were smoky and seductive, her lips stained red, contrasting with the charcoal dress hugging her body like a second skin. Dark chocolate curls framed her face in thick waves, making her icy-blue eyes pop.
“I look…”
“Beautiful, Lil. You look beautiful. Kaiden is going to die when he sees you.”
“Hopefully he won’t die,” I let out a strained chuckle. “But I’d take him being speechless.”
“I’m so fucking proud of you.” Peyton hugged me.
“Okay, ready?” Ashleigh asked and I nodded. She opened the door and Mom stood there, gaping.
“Oh my gosh, baby, you look… is that my Lily Star?”
“You don’t think it’s too much?”
“Too much? Sweetheart, Kaiden is a lucky young man. And once your father comes down from what I’m sure will be a nuclear meltdown, Kaiden is going to come over for dinner and we are going to sit down and talk like adults.”
“Whatever you say, Mom,” I murmured, dreading that particular conversation.
She chuckled as we all gathered in the living room for some photos. It was getting late. If we didn’t leave soon, we would miss the dance.
“Okay, ready?” Mom asked me and I nodded.
“As I’ll ever be.” Nervous energy fluttered in my stomach, but part of me was also excited.
Mom opened the door and ushered me outside, her green eyes softening as I passed. “Time to get Cinderella to the ball,” she whispered.
Time to go get my prince.
* * *
As we pulledup outside the gymnasium, I opened my purse to find my cell phone. “Oh crap,” I said.
“What is it, sweetheart?”
“I forgot my cell phone.” In all the chaos, I must have left it on my nightstand charging.
“You don’t need your cell phone tonight, baby. Shall we?” Mom cut the engine and the girls piled out. I took a minute to collect my thoughts. I’d come a long way since eighth grade. I needed to remember that. When my emotions got to be too much and I felt overwhelmed, I needed to remember the leaps I’d made.
Trichotillomania and anxiety were a part of me the way football was a part of Kaiden. And he’d accepted me. All of me.
Peyton yanked the car door open. “Come on, babe, I can’t wait to see his face.”
