It turns out my date might have a gambling addiction, because she hasn’t moved from the craps table since we got here. Not that I’m complaining. The less time I spend with her, the better.
“And even if she was glued to my side, yeah, it’s worth it,” I admit. Making love to Ella for the first time was the best night of my life. It’s an event I’ll replay every night for the five or so years I’m in my lonely cell. “If you wouldn’t do that for Val, then maybe she’s not the one for you.”
“I’m eighteen, dude. Since when do I have to find the one?” Wade frowns at his cards, and I don’t think it’s because he has a bad hand. He’s falling for Val and struggling with it.
I leave him alone because this is something he needs to deal with on his own. I guess eighteen is kind of young to be tying yourself to someone permanently, but I can’t imagine my future without Ella in it.
I just hope she feels the same way, especially since we’ll be separated for the next five years. Is she going to wait for me? I know it’s selfish to ask, but is it too selfish?
“You okay?” the object of my thoughts, the subject of all my desires, whispers in my ear.
I guess I’m frowning as hard as Wade. “Yeah, I’m fine. I spaced out for a moment there.”
Ella squeezes my shoulder. “Okay, well, I’m going to hang with Lauren for a bit. You know, since technically I’m not your date and your actual date is glaring big holes in my back.”
Ella’s only gone five seconds when someone softly taps my shoulder. I turn around to find Abby Wentworth standing there.
My chest instinctively softens at the sight of her pale pink dress and flowing white-blonde hair. What had drawn me to Abby was how gentle and delicate she is. She reminded me so much of my mom, and being around her was…comforting.
But now that I’m with a girl who’s so full of fire, I don’t think I could ever go back to one with the strength of a puff of steam.
And especially not a girl who would say all that shit about me to the cops.
The reminder has me stiffening. “What’s up?” I mutter to my ex.
“Can we talk?” Even her voice is delicate. Everything about Abby is so damn fragile.
“Got nothing to say to you,” I grunt, drawing startled glances from my friends. They’re all aware that I’ve always had a soft spot for this girl. But not anymore. The only thing I feel for Abby now is pity.
“Please?” she begs.
I get up only because I don’t want to embarrass her in front of everyone, but the moment we’re out of earshot, I pin her with an angry scowl.
“You told the cops I hurt you,” I hiss out.
Abby’s pale blue eyes widen. “Oh. I-I…” She visibly swallows and then her expression collapses. “You did hurt me!” she moans. “You broke my heart!”
Frustration bubbles up inside me. “For fuck’s sake, Abby, this is my life we’re talking about. I read your statement. You implied that I physically abused you and we both know that’s a goddamn lie.”
Another anguished moan rips out of her throat. “I’m s-sorry. I know it looks bad, but I swear to you I’ll go back and give another statement and make it clear that you never—”
“Don’t bother,” I snap. “I don’t want you to say another word, you hear me? You’ve already done enough.”
She flinches as if I’ve hit her. “Reed,” she whispers. “I…I really miss you, okay? I miss us.”
Oh shit. Discomfort wedges into every crevice in my chest. What the hell do I even say to that? We broke up more than a year ago.
“Everything okay here?”
Saved by Satan.
I’ve never been more relieved to see Jordan Carrington in my life, and maybe that’s why I lay a hand on my date’s arm as if she’s actually my date.
“Everything’s fine,” I say tersely.
But Abby viciously shakes her head. For the first time since I’ve known her, pure anger blazes in her eyes. “Everything is not fine!” she snaps at Jordan, and it’s also the first time I’ve ever heard her raise her voice. “I can’t believe you came with him tonight! How could you, Jordan?”
Her friend doesn’t even blink. “I already explained why I—”
“Because of your stupid image?” Abby is seething, her cheeks redder than apples. “Because you want to be crowned the queen of some stupid dance? I told you I didn’t want you to go with him, and you totally ignored my feelings! What kind of friend does that? And who cares about your stupid social status!” She’s shrieking now, and nearly the whole room is staring at us. “I was with Reed because I love him, not because it helped my reputation!”
Again, Jordan is unfazed. “You’re making a scene, Abigail.”
“I don’t care!”
We all cringe at the deafening pitch of her voice.
“You don’t deserve him!” Abby yells between panted breaths. “And neither do you!”
It takes me a second to realize that Ella is at my other side.
“Why did you have to move here?” Abby growls at Ella. “Reed and I were doing fine before you got here! And then you showed up in your cheap clothes and your trashy makeup and your…your…whore ways—”