“Cool,” I replied with less enthusiasm than the news warranted. Lakeside was a huge deal. Lots of industry types hung out looking for the next big thing, ever since the Dirt Dogs had been discovered there.
“You don’t sound too excited.”
I shrugged.
“Girl problems?”
I froze.
“Don’t I know it,” War continued on as if I’d answered in the affirmative. “Lace’s got me all tied up in fucking knots.” He laughed and pushed my shoulder. “I mean I wish she’d let me tie her up.”
I let out an uneven breath, and tried to zone out of the conversation. Dizzy was right. Keeping my feelings for Lace hidden was not a viable long term plan.
“I’ve never known a girl like her. Hot as shit. She’s one in a million, man.”
I nodded. That was Lace all right.
“You know, bitches been dropping their panties for me since middle school,” War bragged, voice lowering to a confidential level as we reached the bus stop and sat down on the bench. “But with her, when it really matters, it’s like she’s got ‘em super glued on.”
Ok that was it. Now I wanted him to shut the fuck up.
“Eighteen months we’ve been an exclusive deal and I still haven’t convinced her to go all the way.”
My eyes widened.
“I know, man.” War snorted. “I must have the worst case of blue balls ever.” He pulled a hand through his long hair. “To put up with that, I must love her, right?”
My chest burned.
“Getting ready to remedy the situation. I’ve got a plan to make her first time special, you know, romantic and all that shit. She knows I’ve got a hotel room reserved for after prom. You think you could talk Dizzy into covering for her with their uncle so she can be out all night?”
“Bryan. Hey,” War called. “You really spaced out on me. Don’t worry so much. Everything’s always gonna be cool with you and me. Bros before hoes, right?” He glanced at his cell display. “Speaking of hoes, it’s been a couple of hours. I better go find mine. Hope, I’ve given her enough time to cool off.”
13
All by myself in the front lounge of the bus, I stared out the window, watching the snowflakes drift down one after another adding to the already foot and a half high berms along I-95. We were headed south on our way to the Atlanta show. War was passed out in the back. He’d been like that since I finally returned late last night. He’d made me so mad earlier that I’d skipped the show, wandered around Philly until it got dark, and then camped out in a local book store thumbing through fashion magazines until they closed.
It was nearing dawn and I still hadn’t slept any. I rested my head in my hands. The Appalachian pines stood along the roadside, lonely sentinels, tall and dark except for their adornment of white. A similar winter wonderland scene had been the picture on the front of our prom invitations. Prom and Bryan had been on my mind nonstop since our conversation in the elevator.
2 years ago
I set the vellum prom invitation down on my comforter and crossed to the dresser, looking at myself in the mirror. I was in love with this dress. So what if it didn’t fit the winter theme. It was a genuine vintage sixties dress with spaghetti straps, a straight bodice, and a black lace skirt over a blush pink under layer. I’d added a black silk ribbon around my neck instead of jewelry and let my hair cascade long and straight around my bare shoulders.
I practiced a smile. I needed the practice, since I hadn’t been doing much smiling lately. Not since I’d told Bryan how I felt. Not since that kiss on the beach. Not since I’d bared my soul to him in that ballad.
I’d been so naive, thinking that the kiss had been special, that it had meant something. What it’d meant was that Bryan was a guy like any other, taking what was thrown at him, and not the honor bound knight on a white charger that I’d made him out to be since I was a little.
Bryan didn’t want my love or the action. He hadn’t come around since then and he didn’t spend any time with me at all unless it was with the band or in a group setting.
Any remaining doubts as to where we stood were eliminated when I came out of class a few days later, following my usual shortcut across the quadrangle, and saw him with his tongue down Misty Rivera’s throat. Misty Rivera was one of the biggest sluts in the school.
I pressed my lips together and turned away from my reflection. Tonight wasn’t about Bryan. It was about War and me, and about going forward. War loved me. War wanted me. I was lucky to have him. Most of the girls at Roosevelt High wished they were in my shoes. It was time I showed him how much I cared.
I glanced at the bedside clock and frowned. My handsome guy was late, over an hour now. I hadn’t realized. Why hadn’t he called?
“Lace.” I heard Dizzy’s voice through the door.
Dizzy’s eyebrows rose. “Where’d you get that dress?”
“A yard sale. Took it in a little bit.” I shrugged.
“You look really beautiful.” He took my hand and placed it on his arm, escorting me down the stairs.
“Why aren’t you dressed, Diz? I thought you were going with Elaine.”
“There’s been a change in plans. I’m running out to the drug store for War, then going over to his place. He’s sick off his ass. Told me he’s been retching his guts out for the past couple of hours.”
“Oh, no! Why’d you let me get all dressed up?” I heatedly complained descending the stairs, and then froze when I saw Bryan standing there.
“Hey, Lace.” Bryan gazed intently at me. “You look incredible.” In a traditional tux with a black bow tie, his long brown hair practically tangling in his long lashes, he took my breath away. “Hope it’s ok if I take you instead.”
“Sure,” I managed, practically drowning in his sexy hooded eyes. He stepped forward and slid a white rose wrist corsage bracelet on my arm. Goosebumps broke out all over me as his fingertips brushed across the delicate skin of my inner wrist.
Dizzy’s brow creased as he looked back and forth between the two of us. He cleared his throat. “Bryan can I see you in the kitchen for a minute?”
I heard the sound of harsh whispers as soon as they disappeared behind the swinging door. I started to move closer to try to hear what they were saying when Bryan suddenly came back out. “Where’s Dizzy,” I asked perplexed.
“He went on.” Bryan placed a hand on the center of my back and guided me toward the front door. “We’d better get going. We’re already too late for your dinner reservation. We’ll miss the dance if we don’t leave soon.”
I saw the limo as soon as I stepped out onto the front porch. I glanced shyly at Bryan. “You don’t have to do this for Warren.”
“I’m not doing it for him.” He stared at me, the overhead porch light illuminating the intense gleam in his eyes. He reached out and ran a hand through my hair, sifting the individual strands through his fingers. Somewhere in the distance a car door slammed. “I’m doing it for you,” he admitted with a half-smile. “You deserve a night like this. Come on.” He took my hand and led me to the limo.
The night was pure magic. For the first time in my life, I felt like the fairy tale princess I’d always dreamed of being. I didn’t even try to pretend it was the dress. I knew it was being with him. Arm in arm dressed in my
