Holding up my phone, I take a selfie and send it to him with the text, So you can find me in the crowd.
Taking a deep breath, I slide my hands down my sides and straighten my shoulders before going to the door. My phone buzzes just as I’m reaching for the handle, and I look down at the face. You are the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. It’s Deacon. I’m at the front door.
My breath catches, and I quickly text back. WAIT. I’ll meet you.
Grabbing the side of my skirt, I hold my shoes in my hand as I run down the stairs, through the kitchen, and out the door to the garage. Stopping at the exit to the driveway, I catch my breath, placing my hand on my stomach. Thankfully, my brother’s house is so new, my feet aren’t really dirty. I dust them off quickly and step into my heels.
When I pull the door open, I’m glad I have something to hold onto. Deacon standing on the walk, tall in a navy suit with the moonlight glancing off his full lips, his thick dark hair, streamer lights twinkling in his blue eyes… He takes my breath away. His eyes sweep up and down my body, and his grin is pure sex.
My thoughts trip back to the first time I saw him, floppy dark hair over blue eyes, doing his best to make me smile. Our first, reckless kiss…
I didn’t fall in love with him when I was fifteen, but he activated feelings in me I never knew existed. I didn’t know much, but I sure as shit knew this boy would change my life.
“Angel…” It’s a hot whisper as he closes the space between us, slipping his arm around my lower back.
I lift my chin, smiling up at him. “Hey, handsome.”
He leans down as if he’s about to kiss me, but I put up my hand. “Wait. My lipstick…” Blue eyes flicker to my mouth, and my stomach tingles. “I want you to meet my family before you ruin my makeup.”
That makes him laugh, and I know he doesn’t give a shit about smudged lipstick. Our love is nothing if not ravenous.
“Lead the way.” He takes my hand, and we walk to the front door. “This place is really nice. It’s your brother’s?”
“He just bought it.” My stomach is flying and falling as I do this. It’s so ridiculous, but it’s the first time I’ve ever brought a boy to meet my family, and Deacon’s not exactly a traditional boy. For starters, he’s a man. A rich man. A rich, white man…
He’s not one of us.
“I always thought your family didn’t have money.”
“So did I.” Reaching out, my fingers tremble, and he sees it. He puts his hand over mine, and lifts it to his lips. “Why are you afraid?”
“I’m not.” It’s a total lie. “It’s a big night for my cousin.” My voice is quiet, and I’m not sure I can say the words. “Promise me…”
His brow furrows. “What?”
“If things get weird, will you trust me? Will you do whatever I ask?” I don’t know what to expect when we walk through this door, and I can’t shake a sense of foreboding.
Deacon pulls me against his chest, wrapping strong arms around me. “I’ll do whatever you ask, my love.”
A quick kiss to my nose, and he releases me.
I square my shoulders and walk through the door. I’m bringing the enemy to make peace.
7
Deacon
Beto’s house is like something out of my world, a stone McMansion in a wealthy, gated community north of town. The joyful blast of culture that greets us as we walk through the door is very different, but I like it.
A lot.
Inside the vast, open downstairs, white twinkle lights wrap around indoor trees and over the curtains, and a DJ plays dance music at the far end of the great room.
A group of teens cluster in a circle on a makeshift dance floor. The girls are wearing floor-length gowns in vibrant colors, and they clap and laugh at the tuxedo-clad boys showing off their moves. When a familiar pop song starts, they erupt into cheers.
Everyone is smiling and talking, hugging and dancing, eating cake, drinking drinks. It puts me at ease, and my fingers tighten around Angel’s. I give her a gentle tug, pulling her against my chest and sliding my hand along her lower back.
“We should dance.” My lips brush the shell of her ear and her shoulder rises.
Leaning down, I brush