Her voice grows commanding, assured. “Come over tomorrow and dig through my closet. We’ll find you something.”
Although I appreciate the offer, I can’t help but feel like this is one of those moments where everyone is well aware of the fact I’ve never been to a school dance. And even though my social life has changed tremendously over the last few months, due to the secret nature of my relationship with Reyn, I’ll still be walking into this dance alone.
“Speaking of the dance,” Caroline says, her gray-blue eyes twinkling, “poor George looked completely heartbroken when you said no to his invitation.”
“I, uh…” The sound of an aluminum can crumpling comes from the other end of the table. I look down at the soda can crushed in Reyn’s hand.
“Dude. What the hell?” Ben shakes his head at the soda that’s spilled from the can and all over his notebook. He grabs a napkin and wipes it off.
“Sorry.” Reyn’s jaw tenses, and he sets the can down gently.
I turn back to Caroline, eyes rolling. “Heartbroken seems like an exaggeration.”
“I don’t know,” she teases. “He’s been watching you a lot in class lately.”
I push a doubtful ‘psh’ through my lips, but I don’t miss the way Reyn has gone still, green eyes watching me.
“Hey, guys!” Sydney suddenly appears at the end of the table, all sparkly and bright in her cheer uniform. “I overheard talk about the dance. Everyone excited?” There’s a feeble response from the girls. The boys simply ignore her. It’s clear no one is really into talking to her. I stare at my half-eaten sandwich. She ignores being ignored and continues on, “What about you, Reyn? You taking someone?”
Reyn’s chair is tilted back and he slows the chocolate chip cookie he’s about to shove in his mouth. His expression remains impassive, but I can see the tick in his jaw. “I haven’t decided if I’m going yet.”
Of course he’s going. We’re all going, our alibis needing to be air-tight. But if Reynolds McAllister is too cool to commit to a Homecoming dance, he’s certainly too cool to commit to a date.
“Oh,” Sydney says, bending over to adjust her knee sock, which serves to give a flash of her cleavage. “Me either.” She flips her ponytail over her shoulder. “Maybe I’ll see you there.”
He does that guy thing, where he lifts his chin in acknowledgement but never makes actual eye contact. She walks off, ass swaying under that tiny skirt, and I snap my gaze toward him, because if he’s looking at her legs, at her thighs, I swear to god—
He’s looking at me.
“Damn that was cringy,” Georgia says, breaking the awkward silence that’s settled around the table. “Right? Just coming out and basically asking Reyn to the dance?”
“Straight up thirsty,” Afton agrees, tossing her trash on her tray. “I really wish she wasn’t such a good tumbler, or I’d toss her ass off the squad.” She gives Reyn a look. “Don’t even think about it, Thigh Master.”
Ben mouths a confused, “Thigh Master?”
“Seriously?” Reyn tosses his hands. “Why does everyone think I have such bad taste in women? You’re like the fourth person to tell me that.”
“Because you were locked up for three years,” Carlton replies, shrugging. “Desperate times, my friend.”
Aubrey shrugs. “I don’t think you have bad taste, Reyn.” Her lips curve and her eyes dart toward me. “In fact, you probably have pretty outstanding taste in women.”
“Alright, that’s enough,” he says, pushing his chair back. He grabs his trash and backpack. “I’ll see you later.”
But inside, I am freaking out. Aubrey knows.
Aubrey knows!
I meet her knowing gaze with my own panicked eyes, but she just mimes zipping her lips and goes back to eating. I’m hoping that means she won’t tell Emory. She obviously hasn’t yet. I can tell by the lack of Reynolds being all dead on the lunch table.
The bell rings, saving us all from further dance conversation, but Aubrey grabs me on the way out of the room.
She clutches her hands together, begging, “Seriously, please come by tomorrow? Let me help you pick out a dress.” She grins. “I have something I think Reyn will like.”
My shoulders tense and I glance around. Maybe I can just deny. “Why would I care about what Reyn will like?” My laugh is halfhearted and full of dread. “We’re not going together.”
She gives me a look that says just how much she isn’t buying this. “Yeah, well once he sees you in this dress, he’s going to wish