I look over at the outfit hanging on the door of my closet. Usually, I wear T-shirts and jeans, but I decided to step out of my comfort zone and purchase a new dress for tonight. It’s short, A-line, and black. I love it because the bottom flares out, giving my figure a flattering shape. Plus, the dark color is slimming.
I ended up confiding in Mrs. Palma about Phoenix because I really needed to vent. After telling me boys were stupid and that he’d come to his senses, she offered to help me do my hair and makeup for the party.
I’m under no illusion that wearing a dress and makeup will make Phoenix fall at my feet, but if he doesn’t pull his head out of his ass, then tonight’s the last night we’ll ever see each other.
Therefore, I might as well look my best.
“Lennon,” my dad yells again. “Let’s go.”
I went temporarily blind from the flash of my dad’s camera thanks to him snapping no less than a thousand pictures of me walking across the stage.
Fortunately, my vision is back to normal by the time it’s Phoenix’s turn. Somehow, he even manages to make the ugly cap and gown look sexy. My fellow classmates and I erupt in loud cheers as he accepts his diploma. When I glance back at the audience, I see Storm’s grandmother standing and yelling her heart out while she takes a few photos.
As far as I can tell, she’s the only parent here for him.
Shortly after he walks off, the announcer tells us to move our tassels to the other side and declares us official high school graduates.
I’m thrilled when we get to toss the caps in the air because those damn pins were starting to give me a headache.
It feels like an eternity by the time everyone exits the oversized tent the ceremony took place under.
I spot my dad instantly once I make it out…because he’s holding the biggest bouquet of flowers I’ve ever seen in my life.
Running over, he hugs me so tight it hurts. “I’m so proud of you, monkey face!”
I laugh into his shirt because he’s making a bigger deal out of this than necessary. “Thanks.”
After he finally lets me go, he hands me the gigantic bouquet. It’s so big, I need two hands to hold it. “I told the florist to give me the prettiest flowers in the store because my baby girl deserves nothing less.”
She most certainly did. Not only is there one heck of a variety, every single flower is so vivid and beautiful.
“They’re gorgeous, Dad.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I spot Storm, his grandma, and Phoenix talking. I really want to walk over there, but despite only being a mere ten feet away, he isn’t looking my way.
“Dartmouth, here you come,” my dad says, drawing my attention back to him.
Sheer pride illuminates his face as he smiles from ear to ear, but nerves coil in my belly at the thought of moving away from the only parent I have left. “I could always stay here.”
“Absolutely not. It’s okay to be scared, but it’s not okay to let that fear hold you back from experiencing life.” Leaning forward, he kisses my forehead. “Besides, you’ll be home every holiday and summer.”
Deep down, I know he’s right. It’s time for me to grow up.
Get out of this tiny fishbowl that is Hillcrest and jump into the ocean.
He puts his arm around my shoulders. “Come on, let’s go to lunch.”
I bat my eyelashes. “Can we go to that seafood place I like?”
It’s super expensive, but they have the best lobster.
“We can go wherever you want.”
We’re about to leave, but I halt my steps and hand him my bouquet. “Can you hold these for a second?”
In a desperate attempt to salvage our friendship once again, I pull my phone out of my purse and shoot him one last text.
Lennon: I knew you could do it.
My heart clenches when I see Phoenix glance at his phone…before shoving it back into his pocket.
CHAPTER 13
PHOENIX
I mutter a curse when I make the mistake of rolling over in bed. Even though the sharp, stabbing pain spreading throughout my side has now reduced to a dull ache, putting pressure on it wasn’t a good idea.
I’m just glad there wasn’t more damage. Drunk motherfucker.
Practice with Storm ran until three a.m., and I had to get up early for the graduation ceremony today, so I was tired as hell.
The moment I came home, I went straight to my room and passed the fuck out.
Only to be woken up hours later by a bat striking my hip.
The asshole only got one swing in before I wrangled it from him and punched him in the face so hard I knocked him out.
After that, I dragged his unconscious ass out into the hallway.
It’s almost midnight now, and the bastard is still passed out cold.
Grabbing my phone, I scroll through my texts, stopping on the one I got from Lennon earlier.
I should reply, but I don’t know what to say.
Because I royally fucked up.
I told her not to make shit complicated, and then I did by kissing her.
Goddammit. That was so fucking stupid.
Not only are we friends, I’m about to split.
Our gig at Voodoo is in four days, and a week after that Storm and I are leaving for Los Angeles.
I can’t fucking wait to get out of here.
My phone vibrates and Storm’s name flashes across the screen. Fucker probably needs a ride home because he got plastered at the graduation party.
Clicking the green button, I bring it to my ear. “You need me to swing by and get you?”
“Nah, man. Some shit just went down.”
I’m expecting him to tell me that the cops were called, and half our graduating class was arrested.
“You need me to bail you out?”
If that’s the case, it’s gonna put a dent in our LA fund.
“Not tonight.” He blows out a breath. “Anyway, I was outside in the hot tub getting a hand job from Sasha. I was about to suggest that we go inside and screw, but then I heard a ton of commotion.”
“Let me guess, a fight broke out.”
I’m gearing up to tell him not to be too disappointed about the interruption because Sasha’s a lousy lay, but then he says, “Nah. It was your girl.”
My girl? “Can you be more specific?”
“Lennon, motherfucker.”
My mind spins back to what Sabrina said after I fucked her in the band room.
I bolt up in bed. “What the fuck happened?”
I’d been so busy practicing for our upcoming gig and ignoring her, I forgot to warn her not to go to the party.
“Sabrina and a bunch of other assholes threw pig slop on her. Then they circled around the poor girl and oinked while someone kept yelling, ‘Sooey.’ It was fucking brutal.”
Jesus fucking Christ.
“Anyway,” he adds. “I have her in my truck. What do you want me to do with her?”
He says it like she’s a goddamn appliance he’s delivering. Then again, that’s Storm. The only emotion the fucker is able to register is anger.
I swipe my keys off my dresser. “I’m on my way.”
“I’ll keep her until you get here. Although I should warn you, the girl still hasn’t said anything. I think she’s in shock or something.”