him. “Why would I?”
His incredulous gaze told me I wasn’t at all convincing.
“You’d have to get dressed up.”
His eyes swept over my body in a slow seductive sweep. “I own a tie.”
A traitorous shiver rolled through me. “People would see us.”
He shrugged, his eyes studying my legs. “So?”
I swallowed, his inspection causing ripples in my stomach. “You’d have to dance with me.”
He nodded, though his eyes zoned in on my stomach. “You don’t think I can dance?”
“I’d have to touch you.”
He nodded while his eyes moved over my chest. “I hope so.”
Sweet Jesus. “You might have to kiss me goodnight.”
His eyes focused on my lips. “Oh, sweetheart, you can count on that.”
A smile curved both our lips.
His eyes finally met mine, blazing with amusement.
And for the first time all day, the silence wasn’t uncomfortable at all.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
HAYDEN
I stared into my bathroom mirror, tying my navy tie—the only one I owned. I still couldn’t believe I agreed to go to the lame-ass formal. It didn’t start for another two hours, but since it usually took me that long to tie a tie, I figured I’d get it out of the way.
Unable to calm my damn nerves after returning from the beach, I’d taken off, clearing my head one of the few ways I knew how. Now my shoulder was throbbing like a motherfucker.
My phone vibrated on the sink. I let go of my tie and grabbed it. Shit. I had a job.
Telling Remy no would cause too many questions. But telling him the truth would be worse. It would put Alex on his radar. A place she didn’t need to be.
I dialed his number, speaking before he had the chance to. “Can we do this tomorrow? I have plans.”
“Plans?” I could hear the irritation in his voice. “What plans?”
“Plans I can’t break.”
Remy paused. “What time?”
“Seven.”
“Tell whoever she is she can wait. I’ll have you back by eight.” He hung up before I could respond. He knew I’d show. I’d never let him down.
Dammit.
ALEX
My red sequin dress hung from the bathroom door, sparkling in the fluorescent lights. I’d spotted it in a boutique window a couple weeks before, never imagining I’d have any use for it. But after the beach, I drove over and bought it.
I applied the final touches on my face—a little pink blush, some mascara, and gloss. I checked the time on my cell noticing a text from Hayden. Ripples attacked my stomach. I wished the mere thought of him didn’t make me such a stupid girl.
Gonna be late. Eight the latest.
My body deflated. Why weren’t things ever easy with him?
I walked into the living room and dropped down onto the sofa, preventing myself from redoing my makeup or messing up my hair.
I guess I couldn’t be too disappointed. What was an hour when I had all night to be seen with him? Dance with him? Touch him?
At seven thirty, I changed into my dress. It stopped well above my knees and clung to all the right places. It made me feel beautiful.
Since it was strapless, I slipped the diamond and ruby necklace my parents gave me for my eighteenth birthday around my neck. My eyes welled.
If my parents were still alive, they would’ve insisted on meeting Hayden before the formal. Sure, I would’ve been living off-campus with my friends, but they would’ve made a special trip for the event.
I could see the whole scene playing out. Them greeting him at the door. My mother taking lots of embarrassing pictures. My dad pulling him aside to give him “the talk.” It would’ve been hilarious to watch Hayden squirm under my dad’s perceptive dark eyes. My mother on the other hand, would’ve been gushing over his good looks and telling me what a cute couple we made. She never liked Preston, so she would’ve been pushing for Hayden.
I inhaled a deep cleansing breath, giving myself a moment to mourn what could have been for a little while longer. Then I dabbed my eyes with a tissue, reapplied my mascara, and headed out to the living room to wait for Hayden.
Alone.
HAYDEN
My dashboard clock read seven forty-five. Remy wasn’t ready when I showed up at his house. The next thing I knew we were headed to some pool hall in another town, a good half hour from my apartment.
Alex was gonna kill me.
We walked into the seedy dive. All eyes turned our way. Fucking great. Bikers. Their snarls indicated they didn’t appreciate us on their turf. And to make matters worse, the