“That really doesn’t clarify anything for me, Lex.”
“Just trust me. When you see The Dress – actually, whenFinnsees the dress – everything will be clear as day.”
When she grabbed my hand and pulled me toward her bedroom I didn’t put up a fight, mostly because I was drunk but also partly because Lexi was right – I did want to look hot tonight. For the first time in my life, I actually cared about impressing a boy.
Lexi led me into her room and immediately knelt down toretrieve a sleek box wrapped in ornate white and gold paper from the space beneath her bed. She handed it to me, an excited grin plastered across her face and her eyes twinkling with anticipation.
“What’s this?” I asked,hesitantly taking the box from her.
“Early birthday present,” Lexi shrugged. “I was saving it for next week, but tonight calls for epic, and The Dress isepicallyepic.”
I stared down at the box in my hands, then back up at my best friend. Setting the present gently on her bed, I closed the distance between us and wrapped my arms around hertall frame.
“Love you, Lex.”
I felt her stiffen with surprise, then sigh as her body relaxed and her arms came around me. “Love you too, Brookie.” She whispered, squeezing me tightly. “Now open your goddamned present!”
I laughed, pulling away and grabbing the box. Tearingaway the wrapping paper eagerly, I opened the lid and found The Dress nestled in a cocoon of white tissue paper.
Lexihad been right – itwasepic.
The Dress was a deep emerald green, nearly the exact shade of my eyes, and strapless, with a daringly low sweetheart neckline that would make the best of my cleavage. It had a tight bodice-style top, intricately embroidered with small beading around the edges, which would fit my body like a glove from the waist up. The bottom half of the dress was short – the skirt would only brush the tops of my thighs – but it was made of a gauzy, flowing material of the same deep green shade, that would float out around me as I walked.
I loved it instantly.
For the first time I was grateful to have a best friend studying fashion, and as I clutched The Dress to my chest I lifted my eyes to look at Lexi.
“The Dress is freaking epic.Youare freaking epic.”
“I know,” Lexi agreed, smiling hugely. “Now sit your ass down so I can do your hair and makeup.”
I rolled my eyes and did as she said.
***
When we stepped through the doors of Styx, Finn and the band were already well into their first set and the place was so packed with people it must’ve been well over the fire marshal’s legal capacity. My eyes cut straight through the pulsating crowd, landing immediately on Finn.
Dressed in a dark navy t-shirt and distressed jeans, hewas leaning toward the audience with both hands wrapped around the microphone stand. His eyes were closed as he sang the final note of a Red Hot Chili Peppers song, his face chiseled and beautiful under the bright stage lights.
God, he was hot.
It was clear I wasn’t the only one who thought so; his resident fangirl skanks were in attendance by the dozens, pressed tightly against the stage and flashing their girl-bits at him every chance they got.
Retract claws, Brooklyn.
I tore my eyes away and did a quick scan of the room. When my gaze passed over the bar, I noticed Gordon and several of his hulking football teammates drinking beers. He’d noticed our entrance and was staring straight at me, his eyes narrowed and his mouth twisted up in a cruel smirk. Our eyes locked briefly before his gaze lowered to travel the length of my body, so slowly and thoroughly that my every hair stood on end in discomfort.
I hoped he wasn’t stupid enough to approach me, after what had happened last time. If Finn had to pull him off me again, I wasn’t sure he’d be able to stop himself before sending Gordon to the ER.
Orthe morgue.
I kept my face expressionless, knowing that assholes like Gordon got off on scaring and manipulating women.While mentally projecting ago-fuck-yourselfhis way, I steered Lexi toward the opposite side of the bar, as far from him as we could get. Finn had launched into a new song, and I focused on his voice rather than Gordon’s foreboding presence.
I squared my shoulders.I was wearing The Dress, I’d had fantastic sex with a guy who was so amazing it scared me, and my best friend was quite possibly the coolest girl on the planet – nothing, not even Gordon Asshole O’Brien, was going to ruin this night for me.
After a few rounds at the bar, I was almost able to forget about him completely. Lexi and I were buzzed and happy, dancing on the fringes of the dance floor with drinks in hand as we watched the band – or, more specifically, the drummer and lead singer – play through their set.
Every once and a while, I’d see Finn’s gaze sweeping through the crowd as if he were searching for someone.My airway felt constricted as hope warred with fear within me; more than anything, I wanted it to bemehe was looking for in that sea of faces. Several times, I refused Lexi’s attempts to drag us closer to the stage, where Finn would be sure to spot us; I wasn’t ready to have my fears confirmed, one way or the other.