“Of course you are.”
“No, I’m your date. I have a feeling some of the jerk-offs there will want to get in your panties, and I don’t want you tangled up with that kind of drama. You’re not about to become a one-night-stand girl because of that sexy dress. Also, don’t tell anyone about me.”
“When have I ever done that?” I lifted my oversized brown purse from the table and glanced around to see if I’d forgotten anything.
“Robert’s party.”
I gave him a scolding glance. “That was two years ago. How long are you going to hold that against me? I didn’t know better.”
“Yeah, well, when I want people to know I’m gay, I’ll pass out flyers and hire a fucking band to sing a song about it. Otherwise, you’re my date.”
“What if someone has gaydar and they find you out?” I smothered my laugh.
“Babe, that’s one radar I can fly under when I need to. You should know that by now.”
“In that case, you’re going to have the girls swarming all over you.”
He smiled wolfishly and we stepped out of the trailer. “No complaints here. What was in the package that came by this morning?”
“Oh, just something I ordered on the Internet.” I quickly changed the subject as I locked the door. “I don’t want to stay there all night, but do me a favor and don’t start any fights. Please?”
He kicked up a clump of dirt and tucked his hands deep in his pockets. “I can’t promise.”
“Yes, you can.”
“What if they are the ones who start shit?” He looked nervous and twitchy, which was so unlike him.
“Then let me do the fighting.”
Trevor gave a boisterous laugh. “Now that I’d like to see, babe.”
I wore a pair of slingbacks and carefully walked down the steps.
He held my hand as we strolled to his car. “We look pretty swank.”
“Maybe it’s your swag,” I suggested.
“Maybe it’s your swing,” he replied, waggling his brow. “I promised I’d find you a Mr. Right, April. I just don’t know who the hell deserves a stunner like you.”
The car radio blared a song by Pearl Jam and he turned it down.
“Trevor?”
“Yup.”
I stared at him for a second, unable to verbalize what my heart was feeling. Total admiration, but also fear. I had no idea what was in store for me later that night when I planned to meet up with Sanchez to deliver his money, and I kept wondering if something were to happen to me, how would Trevor react? He’d once said I was the only family that mattered.
“Nothing. I just love you is all.”
“See? April Showers, always showering me with love.” He kissed my hand and turned over the engine. “Hold on to your panties.”
***
By the time we arrived at the party, it was in full swing. Multicolored Chinese lanterns were strung up along the porch and in one of the nearby trees. The skies were clear and the sun had just set. Dark clouds loomed on the horizon. As soon as we parked the car and walked up the long stretch of driveway, I began to get butterflies. Trevor took my hand and lent me some of his confidence.
“April!” Lexi shouted, hobbling across the grass in her heels. “Oh my God. I should have never worn these shoes,” she said in an exaggerated voice. I gave her a hug and she whispered, “Hot damn, girl. Where have you been hiding this one?”
“Lexi, you remember Trevor? We’re old friends.”
He cleared his throat. “I’m her date,” he announced.
Oh yeah.
“Is that so?” Lexi said wonderingly.
She looked beautiful with her hair pinned up. Her silver necklace stood out against her black top, and the powder-blue pencil skirt showcased her long legs.
“Who are all these people?” I asked, sweeping my eyes across the large crowd that covered the lawn and spilled into the house.
“Austin’s friends, neighbors, and just about everyone else with a pulse,” she said, smoothing out her hair.
I could see Lexi was in a good mood from the way she kept swinging her left leg back and forth so that it peeked in and out of the slit in her skirt. Austin must have been showering her with compliments all evening—she glowed with happiness. Or maybe the glow was from the shimmery blush, or the fact she was going to get laid by a man who worshipped her.
The music was loud, but not obnoxiously so, and an old Aerosmith tune had a few people singing along. I didn’t listen to classic rock, but Lexi played it in the store during downtime. My guess was that Austin had given her full control over the music playlist.