355 500 произведений, 25 200 авторов.

Электронная библиотека книг » Jillian Dodd » Hate Me » Текст книги (страница 18)
Hate Me
  • Текст добавлен: 15 октября 2016, 06:33

Текст книги "Hate Me"


Автор книги: Jillian Dodd



сообщить о нарушении

Текущая страница: 18 (всего у книги 19 страниц)

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16TH

Dare to think.

7am

I get back to school just in time to curl my hair, touch up my makeup, and put on my day outfit for dance. There’s a home basketball game tonight and although we don’t have a pep rally today, the cheerleaders declared it a black out game. Meaning all the students need to wear black to the game. Which is sort of funny, since the cheerleaders don’t have black uniforms, only red or gold ones.

But the dance team, in supposed solidarity, is wearing our black yoga pants with long sleeved T-shirts that say Black Out the Badgers in gold glitter paint. And tonight we’ll be wearing our gold glittery spandex dresses and using our black and gold pompoms instead of the red and gold ones.

The competition between the cheerleaders and the dance team is kind of stupid to me. Next year, if I have any say, we’ll work together more.

I stop in my tracks.

Next year. 

Did I really just dare to think that?

That I could spend my senior year here?

I shake my head.

The excitement of last night must have me on some sort of high.

Once I’m ready, I sit down and type a message to my mom’s agent at the Warren Taylor Agency.

-Is there a way you could discreetly get a script for The Day at the Lake remake? I might know someone interested in it.

I’m shocked to get a quick response, especially since it’s 4:30 in the morning on the West coast.

-Any chance that someone might be you? I’d be surprised, honestly, if Vincent Sharpe hadn’t asked you yet.

I reply with:

-You’re up awfully early! And, no, it’s for Luke Sander. Apparently, they are interested in him for the boyfriend role, but he’s worried because he heard the production company is having some financial difficulties. He’s also maybe looking to switch agents and I thought of you. 

Yes, that’s sort of a lie. The part about the agent. But I could probably talk Sander into it, if necessary. He’s told me on more than one occasion that he felt like he’d outgrown his current agent.

-I’m in New York this week meeting with Tommy about your mother’s sudden leave of absence. Is she doing okay? I haven’t heard about the company’s finances. What did Sander hear?

-She’s fine. Just needs a break. And he heard that someone is buying out the company’s investors and a hostile takeover is imminent.

-Really? Interesting. I did hear the investors were rumbling about the amount of capital he’s sunk into that movie. If that’s the case, Luke Sander should stay far away from the project. 

Shit.

-Can you get me the script anyway? 

-Of course, darling. 

-Thank you. And give Tommy a hug for me.

-We should have lunch when I’m back in town. Tommy told me last spring that he expected you to follow in your mother’s footsteps. I could get you some roles very easily. 

-Thank you. I’ll think about it. Either way, lunch would be great. 

Then I text Cooper, realizing I forgot to tell him this part of my plan.

Me:  I forgot to tell you part of my plan last night. 

Cooper:  Forgot? Or purposely didn’t tell me?

Me:  Forgot. I’m having something delivered to Vincent’s office today at 4. I thought maybe your friend who met up with his assistant might text her and ask her out for Happy Hour. Like if he got her number.

Cooper:  He has her number. What did you send?

Me:  A photo I found of him from when he was doing the national search for the next Abby Johnston. I photoshopped the special effect of B’s head being blown off onto his head, put it in a picture frame, and boxed it up with some black rose petals. 

Cooper:  And purposely didn’t tell me because I would have told you not to?

Me:  Really? No, I thought you’d love the idea. And I was going to ask your friend myself last night, but forgot with the excitement. I’d really like to know how he reacts.

Cooper:  I think it’s important we know how he reacts. I’ll call him later today.

Me:  Be sure to have him wait to text her until after it’s delivered. 

Cooper:  Will do.

Me:  Have you heard anything from them? Like what he did last night?

Cooper:  He was furious about his car. Filed a police report. Took a cab home. Stayed there.

Me:  Thank goodness. I don’t want anyone else to die because of me.

Maggie comes in our room to get a ponytail holder. Her hands are laden with gifts.

She lays two on my bed and one on Katie’s.

“I feel like I only see you at dance.” I give her a big hug.

“Logan and I have been spending a lot of time alone lately. Making up for lost time, I guess.”

“You mean having sex.”

“Not just that. We haven’t every night.” She rolls her eyes. “Okay, so we have. But we’ve been talking a lot too. About senior year. About our future. College. All that.”

“That’s good. Have you gotten any fun naughty gifts?”

“Yes. I don’t know who my Santa is, but I’m in love with him. I’ve gotten a pink vibrator, a bottle of cookie dough vodka, chocolate body paint, and nipple tassels.”

“Nipple tassels? I heard about Logan’s condom lollipops. Did you actually do it eight times?”

“No. Only three.” She smiles. “I’m not complaining though. Open your presents!” She holds up a Christmas bag.

I pull the tissue paper out, finding a bottle of cotton candy vodka and two pink silky scarves.

“I think the boys are working together to give us what our boyfriends would want us to use,” she laughs. “And get us drunk. We’ll take our vodka to the party tonight!”

“I get the vodka, but pink scarves? How it that naughty? I mean, these aren’t going to keep me very warm.”

Maggie starts laughing hysterically.

“What?” I say.

“I think those are for tying you up.”

“Oh . . . I didn’t even think of that.”

“You will now.”

Katie bounds out of the bathroom, sees the chocolate Santa on her bed, says, “Cool,” and tosses it in her backpack.

Hot not sweet.

7:45am

Aiden meets me at my dorm to walk me to class. He seems much more clear-headed this morning. “So, last night, how did it go?”

“As planned. I’m glad I went.”

“And I’m glad you’re back here safe.”

“Me too. What’d you do last night?”

“Tried to catch up on homework. Passed out at nine. I’m a wimp.”

“It takes a lot of energy to heal, Aiden. You’re not a wimp.”

“I was able to put some weight on it when I showered this morning. I’m hoping not to have to wear the boot for the dance.”

“I suppose it would be hard to dance with it on.”

“Not if we’re slow dancing.”

“True. I hope we get to do a lot of that.”

“Me too,” he says. “And, more importantly, I’ll be able to take it off later. That’s the real reason I begged them not to cast it.”

“It’s sweet you’d even think of that when you were in pain.”

“What was even sweeter was you on top of me the other night.”

Before I walk into my class, I smile at him, give him a kiss on the cheek, and whisper, “There was nothing sweet about it. It was pure hotness.”

“Tonight’s Christmas party is going to be a blast,” Riley tells me. “I’m hoping you ladies bring some of your naughty Santa gifts. Make the night more interesting.”

“Aiden should bring his dice. That would be a fun thing for couples to play.”

“What dice?”

“They say things like lick, suck, and blow on one dice and then you roll the other die for which body part to do it to.”

“Are they naughty?”

“They are pretty clean, but there is a player’s choice, so you could make it that way. So, other than the furry handcuffs, I haven’t heard what you’ve gotten.”

Riley grins. “I have a secret crush on whoever my Santa is. I got the pink furry handcuffs. Still waiting to use them. Let’s see, a spinning beer pong rank. Gonna destroy Aiden tonight. Body parts bingo. Already had some fun with that game. A Tuggie . . .”

“What’s that?”

“Oh, it’s the fuzzy sock that warms your co . . .”

“Never mind! I think I saw that when I was shopping. Have you tried it? Does it keep it warm?”

“Don’t know, but it’s leopard print. And I got a matching leopard baby doll outfit for Ariela to wear. Rawr.”

“You’re funny. What else?”

“Edible body paints.”

“Nice.”

“What about you?”

“Honestly, I’m pretty sure I know who my Santa is.”

He plays dumb. “Really?”

“Riley, I know it’s you.”

“I wouldn’t tell you if it was.”

“I know. It was a good idea. And a lot more exciting than my dorm secret Santa. Although Katie and I have been enjoying all the candy.”

Our teacher comes in with a big tray of homemade cinnamon rolls in the shape of Christmas trees. “Yum. All we’re going to do in class today is eat. Best day ever,” Riley says.

In English class, Dallas is also going on about his naughty Santa.

“This morning I got this little red bong. Can’t wait to use it tonight. This party is going to be epic.”

Katie takes the chocolate Santa out of her backpack. “This is what I got. Can’t wait to get this thing in my mouth.”

She undoes the foil from the top and brings the top of it to her mouth.

“Katie!” I yell, realizing that the Santa is really a large chocolate dick.

Dallas starts laughing. Rolling-on-the-floor, tears-coming-out-of-his-eyes laughing. “Ohmigosh, you just said you couldn’t wait to get it in your mouth.”

Katie looks confused. Then she holds the chocolate out in front of her. “Ahhh!” she screams, which, even though we’re having a Christmas party in this class too, gets the attention of our teacher.

She’s marching back toward us.

“Put it away!” I tell her.

Dallas is still laughing so hard he can’t talk.

“Katie!” our teacher exclaims. “If you have candy, you need to share it with the class.”

At which point Dallas really starts crying. “Share it with the class, Katie.”

I think Dallas’ laughter is contagious because all of a sudden, I can’t stop either. I still keep picturing Katie almost putting it in her mouth. And I can picture her walking around to each desk breaking off a piece of it for each student.

“Is it solid or cream filled?” Dallas screams.

“Mr. McMahon, I don’t know what’s gotten into you,” our teacher says. Then she actually sees what’s in Katie’s hand.

“Suck on it. Let’s find out,” he continues.

“I’m not sucking on it,” Katie says. “Not if I have to share it,” she adds naughtily.

“Alright, you three. You can take your naughty chocolate down to the dean’s office.”

“Do we have to share it with him?” Dallas asks, still dying with laughter.

As we’re escorted out of class and head toward the office, I say to Katie, “You’re gonna have to bite off the tip.”

“Suck it off. Suck it off,” Dallas chants.

“We’ll get in trouble if you don’t bite it off. With the tip gone, it looks like a chocolate Santa.”

She tosses it to me. “No, you bite it.”

“I’m not biting it.” I try to give it to Dallas. “You bite it.”

“Oh, no. Not me,” he says. “No, wait. I have a plan. Wrap it back up.”

I wrap the Santa back up, making it look like it had never been opened.

Dallas takes it from me. “Watch this.”

He walks into the dean’s office and says to the secretary, “Mrs. Potter, do you have all your Christmas shopping done?”

“Almost,” she says. “What are you doing out of class?”

“Mrs. Major sent me down. She handed out chocolate Santas to our class and had an extra one. I offered to bring it down to you.”

“Oh, well, isn’t that sweet?” She gives him a conspiratorial grin and says, “I’ll have to tease the dean with it.”

Katie and I bite our lips to keep from laughing as Dallas says, “I’m sure the dean would love that. Merry Christmas!”

We all walk out of the office, run around the corner, and collapse onto the ground in a fit of giggles.

“Ohmigawd! I can’t believe she said she’d tease the dean with it!”

Dallas says, “She loves chocolate. I bet she has it open in three, two, one . . .”

“Ahhhhhh!!!” we hear her scream as the bell rings.

I’m a big girl.

Drama

When I come offstage after my improvisation exercise, I check my phone.

Damian:  Question, since you’re still alive. 

Me:  Not funny. It was a good plan. 

Damian:  Troy just told me all the details you wouldn’t tell me. Sounded more like a script for an action film than a plan. 

Me:  Well, Riley and I scripted it out.

Damian:  You told him the truth?!

Me:  Part of the truth. He thinks it was my best friend who was stalked. That her dancing in a cage a couple weeks ago was my idea. And he knows about the girl that got killed. I couldn’t hide how upset I was. He knows I went back there to take her spot and that it was kind of dangerous. Honestly, I told Riley a different story in Miami. So I had to lie about lying. The lies are starting to pile up. Getting hard to keep them all straight.

Damian:  So the video Riley did of you on the plane. 

Me:  Yeah?

Damian:  Our label hired this guy who is supposed to be a creative genius to do our video. He sucks. Like really, really sucks. Wanted to make it a piece of art as opposed to a music video that goes with the song. The video is supposed to release on New Year’s Eve. Even with my connections, I can’t find anyone who’s willing to shoot it for us over the holidays. So I was wondering if Riley might be interested in trying his hand at it. We want it fun, campy, like something we’d have shot ourselves, just better edited. And, of course, you promised to be in it.

Me:  I did. I just didn’t realize it would be so soon. Maybe you should ask Peyton.

Damian:  She’s gorgeous, but I don’t think she’d be good in front of a camera. She freaked out when the paparazzi jumped us last weekend. 

Me:  She’ll have to learn to deal with it. Thank goodness they didn’t get a clear shot of her face though. You could have put both of us in a lot of danger.

Damian:  I know. I’m sorry. I’m still not used to being followed around. But back to the video.

Me:  If my name wasn’t listed anywhere, in theory, the people who know me as Keatyn Douglas, would know it’s me and wouldn’t be surprised since we’re friends. The people that know Keatyn Monroe, I’d just tell them that I did it. It’s not like anyone is going to talk about me that much, right? 

Damian:  I think they will talk about you. But I think you’re right. And would it sort of fit into your plan of letting Vincent see you some? Are you planning more trips back home or to the club?

Me:  I don’t know yet. But probably. Let me think through it and I’ll let you know. 

Damian:  So do you think Riley would be interested?

Me:  I think Riley would be thrilled.

Damian:  We got invited to play during the MTV New Year’s Eve party overlooking Times Square. I have a bunch of tickets that I could sort of repay you both with.

Me:  You don’t have to repay us, but the party sounds like fun. I’d love to. 

Damian:  I heard you’re not coming to St. Croix for Christmas. 

Me:  I can’t. I sort of lied myself into a corner. I told Aiden I have to be with my family. But I can’t actually be with my family. And I can’t think up a good reason why I wouldn’t go see them, since all I’ve done is complain about how much I miss them. I’m filming with Tommy and your dad next week, so I’ll get to see them. I’ll stay at my loft. Aiden bought me a tree. And you’ll all be back the next week! 

Damian:  Still, it’s Christmas. I don’t want you to be alone. 

Me:  I have to be, Damian. I’m a big girl. I’ll be fine. I promise.



Girls dancing.

1:30am

We all meet up outside the chapel and get everyone into Stockton’s for the party. I brought my cotton candy vodka and Maggie brought her cookie dough vodka as well as some chocolate cookies she got from her dorm secret Santa.

When we turn the lights on, we find a Christmas tree decorated with boas, mini airplane bottles of alcohol, and condom packages.

“This is going to be the best Christmas party ever!” Logan declares.

Aiden is standing behind me, his arms wrapped around my waist. “A little different from our Christmas tree, huh?”

“Yeah, a little,” I laugh. “Did you bring the dice game? I think that will be fun to play after we drink a little.”

“You told me you used to get on the bar and dance. You gonna do that tonight?”

I look at the long bar, knowing it wouldn’t take much convincing to get the girls up there with me. “Do you want me to dance for you, Aiden?”

He spins me around. “What do you think?”

“I think you liked it.”

“Yeah, I did.”

“And you won’t get mad at me?”

“Why would I get mad at you?”

“Other guys will be looking at me.”

Aiden puts his hand behind my neck, moving my face close to his. He kisses the tip of my nose and says, “They can look all they want. They just can’t touch.”

“You’re pretty cool,” I tell him. “But maybe you should get up there and dance for me?”

“Hmmm, I would,” he points down. “But I have this bum leg. And I’m trying to get it healed for tomorrow night.”

“Are you going to tell me about tomorrow night?”

“Maybe after a few drinks.”

I go behind the bar and pour a round of shots. “Shot time!” I yell.

Everyone takes a glass and holds their shot in the air.

“Everyone do a toast,” I say. “I’ll go first. Here’s to a very naughty Christmas.”

Dallas says, “Here’s to giving the dean’s secretary a chocolate dick.”

Annie holds her shot up high and says, “Here’s to trying new things.”

Jake wraps his arm around her and kisses her while Riley says, “Here’s to pink furry handcuffs that I can’t wait to use.” He grabs Ariela’s ass and goes, “Grr, baby, grr.”

Ariela raises her shot higher. “And here’s to a leopard print Tuggie I can’t wait to laugh at.”

“And strip off me,” Riley yells.

“I think we need to drink this. Drink!”

Everyone downs the shots. We pour more and continue our toasts.

Logan says, “Here’s to Stockton’s!”

Aiden clinks Logan’s glass and says, “And to girls dancing on the bar!”

The guys look up at the bar and then at us. Aiden grins at me.

Riley says to Aiden very seriously, “Are there dancing girls coming tonight?”

“Keatyn is going to dance on the bar. Maggie, too.”

“I am?” Maggie says.

I grab her and pull her up on the bar with me.

“Music?”

Logan blasts some dance music and Maggie and I start dancing.

After a few songs, Aiden walks up to the bar and holds his hand out to me.

I smile at him and jump off the bar. He leads me back behind the black curtain to the bed. “I told everyone that it’s hard for me to sit with the boot on, so Riley suggested I lie down here.”

“So, you just want to lie down?” I ask, closing the curtain and crawling on top of him.

“No. I’d like to do what we did the other night. Before you moved off.”

“Here?”

“You asked what I wanted to do. That’s what I want. But I don’t want to do that here. And the party is just getting going. We can’t really leave yet.”

“Aiden, tomorrow night after the dance. You want to, right? I mean you don’t have to give away any surprises about what you have planned, but I also need to be mentally prepared. Like if you don’t want to, it’s okay, but I don’t want to think you do and then be disappointed if we don’t. But if you tell me now that you don’t . . .”

Aiden puts his finger up to my lips. “Shush.”

“I’m kind of freaking out about this.”

He moves his finger and shushes me with his lips. When he stops kissing me, he says, “I definitely want to.”

“I do too,” I say, laying my head on his shoulder. “And I can’t wait.”

The party, filled with beer pong, naughty dice, smoking, and a lot of fun, continues until almost dawn. Aiden keeps yawning, so I pull him on the bed with me and go to sleep.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17TH

Trying to hang on.

11:30am

We wake up around ten, go back to our dorms, and start packing up for winter break.

“It seems like we just got here,” Katie says sadly. “I can’t believe it’s already Christmas.”

“I know. It’s gone so fast.”

“I love it here,” she says.

“I do too. Are you and Bryce doing anything over break?”

“Yeah, he’s coming to my parent’s cabin after Christmas to ski and spend New Year’s together. What about you?”

“Aiden’s going to the Caribbean with his family, but we’re spending New Year’s together.” I grab my suitcase and some shopping bags full of gifts. “I’m going to run these out to my car.”

I load them up and then head back to my dorm. Cooper is standing outside.

“I just texted you,” he says. “My friend texted Vincent’s assistant. She said she couldn’t leave early. That her boss had just gotten a horrible threatening photo and had thrown it against the wall, then made her clean up all the glass.”

“So he was mad. Then what did he do?”

“Left his office and had dinner with two of his investors. Trying to hang onto his company.”

“We need to plan what we’re going to do next. I’d like to go back next Thursday but with filming, I can’t.”

“I think the company takeover stuff is enough for now. Your mom’s movie is still getting a ton of buzz. So, you’re going to the dance tonight, then going to a hotel with Aiden, then going to your loft on Sunday morning?”

“Yeah, he’s staying with me until the twenty-third, then leaving for St. Croix with his family.”

“And what are you going to do after that?”

“Stay at my loft. Everyone thinks I’m going home. I won’t go out, so don’t worry about me.”

“It’s my job to worry about you. What if you came home with me for Christmas? My parents would love it.”

“Really, Cooper?” I blink away tears.

“Yes, really. I don’t want you to be alone and I know you can’t go home.”

“That would be nice. I’ll get to see Tommy but it just isn’t going to be the same.”

“I know. Have fun at the dance tonight.”

“Have fun chaperoning.”

He rolls his eyes at me. “Yeah, right.”

Follow my script.

6pm

I’m getting ready for Winter Formal.

Curling my hair and then twisting it into a side braid that will show off my dress. Putting makeup on. Touching up my pedicure. Painting my nails.

My dress and shoes are already loaded into my Range Rover.

Aiden and I caravan to the boutique hotel where we’re spending the night, so we can drop off all our bags. After the dance, school is officially out for break.

And, since we have quite a few bags, we decide to get dressed at the hotel.

He holds my hand as we enter our beautifully perfect suite, our heels clicking on the worn oak floors. Center stage sits a modern black four-poster bed dressed in a fluffy comforter and pillows. The linens are all white except for a golden throw draped at the end of the bed. There’s a huge fireplace stacked with wood just waiting to light the room with a golden glow. A thick, white, fluffy rug that’s dying to be curled up on. A chaise to lie on. Champagne waiting to be chilled. The bathroom features golden marble, a modern free-standing tub, and a jetted shower.

As I look at each element of the room, I’m envisioning all the places we’re going to do it.

Tonight is finally the night.

And even though I wrote my script to tell him right when we get back to the room, part of me wants to wait until after.

The chicken part of me.

But my heart knows that I need to follow my script. Tell him the truth before I commit to him in that way. I don’t want there to be any lies between us when it finally happens.

I’m just worried that he won’t follow my script.

That he won’t understand.

But you have to trust the people that you love.

So I gaze again at the beautiful surroundings, wiping the negative thoughts from my mind and letting warmth fill my heart.

Knowing that things are going to be perfect.

I make Aiden get dressed in the bathroom while I put on my dress and shoes in the bedroom.

He yells, “You ready yet?”

“Yeah, I’m ready.”

He walks out of the bathroom wearing a classic black Gucci tuxedo.

Just think, Keatyn, you get to undress him tonight.

My perfect boy.

I’m wearing a pretty Catherine Deane strapless, silk-organza gown. The gown’s sweetheart neckline features polished metal beads, appliqués, and picot-edged overlays. I feel like a winter fairy. Soft and flowy, with just a little sparkle.

Aiden says, “You look stunning.”

“You look pretty stunning yourself. Love the tux.”

I pull up the skirt of my dress and show off my deep gray Nicholas Kirkwood suede pumps that are covered in pale multi-colored swirls of crystal.

“You were right,” he says. “Those are the perfect shoes for the dress. You ready to go?’

“Not really,” I say. “I want to go, but I kind of wish we could just stay here.”

He kisses me and says, “We’ll leave early.”

“Deal.”



We have fun dancing with our friends.

Sneaking into the bathroom for sips of whiskey.

Mostly, I have fun being close to Aiden.

Having him whisper to me how it drives him nuts when I grind on him. The husky, desire-filled sound in his voice.

The way he smells.

The way he looks.

The way my dress floats around me like a dream when he twirls me.

Around us, other people are dancing, but it feels like the room, the dance floor, the whole night, was made just for us.

When we take a break, I decide to give Riley his final present.

He picks me up and hugs me when he opens a high definition video camera. The kind he could actually shoot a real movie with.

“You’re my new best friend,” he says.

“I’ve always been your best friend,” I tease.

“Naw, it was Dallas, but between him defiling my rug and your gifts, you win.”

I hug him back. “Be nice. And, for the record, I’m going to miss you.”

“We’ll only be apart for about a week. Besides, I’m not up for being nice. Tonight is all about being naughty. Did you find out who your Santa is?”

“No, I thought it was you. And I haven’t kept track of who has revealed theirs already.”

“I think some people are waiting until later. Bryce said he’s having a party in their hotel room. Doesn’t he want to be alone with Katie?”

“I think they’ve been alone about every night this week.”

Riley laughs. “I’m not going to party. Are you?”

“No. Did Aiden tell you about our suite?”

“Yes, we’re staying at the hotel, too. Thought we’d meet up for lunch before we leave, so we could talk more about this video for Damian.”

“That sounds perfect.”

There’s a break in the dancing as the house Sweethearts are announced.

Hawthorne is the last to go.

Aiden whispers, “I think it’s going to be you.”

Jake, who is now onstage, announces my name, and calls me up.

I receive a beautiful bouquet of flowers and a little tiara that says Sweetheart.

The music starts back up again.

I’m so ready to leave now. To get to our room.

It’s been a perfectly scripted night.

Lots of slow dancing.

A gorgeous dress that swirls around my body like a snowflake.

The date of my dreams.

Everything is perfect.

Even though my life is so far from it.

I’m tempted not to stay for the Social Committee presentation. Whitney’s doing it all. No one would miss me.

Aiden pulls me into his arms as a slow song plays.

I’m seriously considering dragging his ass out of here this second, telling him the truth, and then making mad, passionate, amazing love all night long.

And although that’s how I scripted it, I will admit, I’m still debating about doing it, like, once—or maybe twice—before I tell him. So that if I was completely wrong and he hates me for lying to him, at least I’ll have experienced the Titan and won’t spend the rest of my life wondering what it would have been like between us.

His arms are wrapped tightly around my waist, and he keeps kissing the side of my face as we dance.

He says quietly, “I think we should start in front of the fireplace on that soft rug, then move to the chaise.”

“I noticed the bench at the end of the bed too,” I whisper.

“And the jetted shower, the tub. Eventually, maybe the bed too.” He lets out an adorable sexy chuckle. “I have something I need to tell you first,” he says.

“What’s that?”

He leans back and pulls a long white feather out of his jacket and holds it in front of me. There’s a little hot pink ribbon curling off of it, just like there has been on all my other gifts.

“You’re my naughty Santa?” I say in shock.

He nods.

“Seriously? I thought for sure it was Riley.” Then I grin at him. “The stuff you got me. Um, did it have a purpose?”

“What do you think?”

“I think you’re tricky is what I think. You wrote an M on your list. I thought you had Maggie.”

“You looked at my list? You’re a bad girl. And, just for the record, I stole all your gifts out of your car. They’re at our room waiting for us.”

“I think maybe we should get the hell out of here now.”

He whispers, “That’s why I fucking love you, Keatyn Monroe.”

“I fu—” I start to say, but Whitney grabs my elbow, pulling me away from Aiden.

“Hey, you ready to go onstage?” she says with a big smile. “End the night and officially kick off our winter break?”

“Um, we were just thinking about leaving.”

“No way. Not before this. Plus, I decided I want you and Peyton up there with me.”

Aiden gives me a smoldering look and puts the feather back inside his jacket. “Go ahead,” he says. “Then we’ll leave.”

“Should I go round up the Social Committee?”

“No. I want just you two,” she says, grabbing Peyton from where she’s dancing with Brad.

We hold hands and make our way up to the stage.

“Attention, everyone,” she says after taking a microphone off the podium and tapping on it. “I have some exciting news to share. And I’m so happy that my two best friends are here on stage with me.”

I smile at her, knowing that her surprise will be the announcement of her college of choice. She’s gotten all her acceptance letters back and has been playing coy about where she’s going. Even though I know it will be Yale with Shark.

Really, I’m surprised I’m even standing up here.

That she would consider me a good friend after our rocky start.

But coming to Eastbrooke allowed me to find myself.

To do the things I wished I had done at my old school.

To use my conscience and do what’s right, regardless of what’s popular.

To stand up for myself.

And I think I’ve had a good effect on Peyton and Whitney too. They seem to be on even ground, and, since Whitney started dating Shark, she hasn’t acted like the bitchy Alpha she once was.

I think he’s good for her.

She sets her laptop on the podium.

After her little speech, we’re going to show the video Riley made for the Social Committee highlighting our year so far. The Welcome Back carnival and dance. The Homecoming festivities. The Greek and French weekends.

She starts with, “I’d just like to say a few words from the Social Committee and then I have something fun planned for you.”

She goes on to thank the Social Committee members, the supporting clubs . . .

I tune out her voice, because I know her speech by heart.

She made us listen to it over and over.

Instead, I’m staring at Aiden.

Okay, really, I’m staring at his fly.

Imagining.

Anticipating.

“Before the presentation starts . . .”


    Ваша оценка произведения:

Популярные книги за неделю