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“What don’t you understand, princess? You’ve got a bomb pussy,” he repeats. “If I could take it off you and play with it anytime I wanted, I would. Too bad it’s attached to all this.” He waves his palms in front of my body.
“You’re a pig.”
He slides his fingers into his mouth and pulls them out with anmmm. “And you’re a fuckin’ snack I intend to enjoy later.”
I glance his way with a smirk. "Just a snack? Pretty sure I'm the whole damn meal."
"You mean, like, off the children’s menu?"
I smack his arm as his laughter flows like music.
“Watch the guns, baby.” He rubs his bicep with a broody pout.
He may be faking hurt, but the pain in my heart is all too real. What are we even doing? We fight, we fuck, we fight some more, and between are slivers of sweetness he allows me to sample before closing the door in my face. He’s too unpredictable. Every day is a new version of Jace Wilder, and I never know which one I’ll get. “I should go get ready.”
“Or you can stay.”
I stop short, my heart hammering hard against my ribs. “Why would I do that?”
“Because you’d rather be with me than him.”
I glance over my shoulder. “What doyouwant?”
His chest rises. “I want you to turn around and get in my bed.”
His words are a razor reopening wounds that just won’t heal. I can’t go on like this. I wasn’t built for casual sex. It hurts too much.
“That’s not enough for me,” I admit before walking away.
***
By the time I finished my shower, Jace was gone. Now I’m sitting beside Troy on our way to the party, but it doesn’t feel right. I’mone guy’s fairy tale and another guy’s fuck toy. This is not how I envisioned finishing out my senior year. I’m torn between two worlds. Missing the life I’d always known and loving the one I’ve just begun living.
Troy can offer me everything—money, power, privilege. He’s my ticket back to where I thought I belonged, but it’s not what I want anymore. I was dragged to this state against my will, but the months I’ve spent here changed me for the better. I’ve grown in ways I never thought possible and done things I’ve never imagined myself doing. My old life was a lie, so it’s time I start living my truth.
The car slows as we come to the country club. He punches the code into the keypad, and the wrought-iron gates welcome us in.
“I thought we were going to Robbie’s?”
“We are. I just have to do one thing first.” He steps out, then rounds the hood to open my door next. Impending doom sits in my gut. I force it down, letting him thread our fingers as we go inside. A frigid blast of air prickles my bare skin. I move closer to Troy for warmth. He offers smiles and nods as we travel through the foyer and past the great hall to the stairs in the back.
Panes of glass enclose the staircase, the outside heat battling the air conditioner for control. The Elite Gym takes up the entire third floor. Troy pushes through the heavy doors. I’ve been here before to watch him fight. However, this time, the room is drenched in black, the blinds drawn tight on the floor-to-ceiling windows. I blink my eyes, trying to adjust my sight, but Troy seems to know the way by heart.
“What is happening right now?”
He stops and sets his hands on my arms. “Wait right here, okay?”
“Where am I supposed to go? I can’t see anything.”
A half laugh ricochets off his tongue. His footsteps grow progressively faint until I can no longer hear them at all. Alonein the dark, my other senses heighten. The sound of my breath fights the rhythmic beat of my heart as I wait for Troy to return.
Light floods the space. I wince, my hand springing to my face to shield the sudden stinging brilliance stabbing my eyes. When they finally adjust, I realize I’m standing in front of the MMA ring.
A tight feeling burns in my chest. Flowers entwine the cage. On the inside mat, rose petals spell out the wordPROM?encased in a meticulously placed heart. And beside the garish display stands Troy holding a sign that reads,You must be a knockout because I fell for you.
My jaw drops. Troy’s dimpled grin spans from ear to ear, but I feel as if I’m standing in front of a firing squad. I thought Troy and I were on the same page. Clearly, I was mistaken. He wouldn’t have done this if he had thought for a second I would say no. Troy doesn’t know me at all.
Hope sparkles in his eyes. “What do ya say? Will you go to prom with me?”
