She looks stunning, but hell will freeze over before I give her a compliment.
Jade fiddles with Hana’s zip, and then gets it to go up. “There you go.” She grins at Hana. “You look so pretty in pale pink. That’s one color I’m allergic to with my red hair.”
“Thanks, my friend.” Hana glances over everyone then says, “Well, we’re all ready. Let's go.”
I rise to my feet and hold my hand out to Fallon to help her up then wait for her to walk ahead. When we reach Hana, she hooks her arm through Fallon’s and says, “Oooh, the guys are going to go gaga over you tonight.”
“They better not. I’ll have Jade throat punch them all,” Fallon jokes.
Jase falls in next to me, and we leave the suite with Kao, Noah, Mila, and Jade somewhere behind us.
It’s a habit we learned at a young age — Fallon at the head with Hana in the middle, and then Jase and I behind them. Dad once explained to me it’s because we always have to form a united front, and it’s Jase and my duty to protect the girls at all cost.
JADE
Fallon asked me to give Hunter some time before talking to him about what happened, but damn it’s hard.
After Colton came to see me, I was distraught over what happened to him and Brady. Now I’m left with regret.
A shit load of regret.
Knowing I failed Brady is something I’ll just have to learn to live with, and I’ve come to realize there can never be any closure when it comes to a loved one taking their own life.
And then there’s Hunter.
I’m angry with myself for screwing up so badly. I’ve been going over the week of Brady’s passing, trying to remember what made me think Hunter was to blame. But I’ve got nothing.
My only defense is that I was a grief-stricken sixteen-year-old. Because I was upset with Hunter for interrupting Brady and me, I latched onto that anger.
But it’s no excuse.
Walking next to Mila, my eyes are glued to Hunter’s broad back.
Regret is actually an understatement for what I feel. I’ve single-handedly destroyed a friendship that meant the world to me. I was cruel and, at times, downright vile toward Hunter, and the fact that he never lashed out against me goes to show what an amazing person he really is.
An amazing person who I pushed away every damn chance I got.
Ashamed for my awful behavior, I know I have to do everything in my power to try to make things right between us.
Even if it takes two years to fix things between Hunter and me. I’ll do anything I have to.
I deserve his anger because, at the end of the day, I hurt and insulted Hunter in the worst way possible.
When we walk into the hall, Mila and I head straight for our table while Fallon, Hana, Jase, and Hunter do their rounds at the tables to welcome all the students.
My gaze follows Hunter. He stops by Jessica Atwood and her posse of friends’ table, and I frown when she says something to him with a rueful smile. My frown only deepens when she holds out her hand to him, and Hunter actually shakes it before moving onto the next table.
“Did you see that?” I ask Mila.
“Yep.” She places her elbow on the table and rests her chin on her hand. “Looks like Jessica apologized to Hunter.”
I give Mila a what-the-hell look. “She must be afraid of being kicked out after what happened to Melinda.”
“Serves them right. Hopefully, it put them all in their place.” Then Mila turns her head to Kao. “What happened to you and Summer coming together to this thing?”
Kao shrugs. “After the incident with Melinda, I thought it would be best to keep my distance from that group of girls. Besides, I’m hoping to dance with Fallon.”
My eyebrows pop up. “Yeah? You’re finally going to ask her to date you instead of eyeing her from a distance?”
Kao shakes his head, a sad smile tugging at his lips. “No, I just want to have one dance with her.”
“You should tell her how you feel,” Mila says.
Kao just shakes his head while his eyes drift to Fallon as she crosses the floor toward our table. “Let’s drop the topic.”
Fallon stops by the side of the table and pins Kao with a look that’s filled with bravery. “Kao, will you please open the dance floor with me?”
Surprise flutters over his face, but he’s up and walking toward her in a split-second, and it makes me struggle to not laugh.
I watch as he takes hold of her hand and leads her over to the floor. Their eyes lock as violin strings fill the air, and I feel the intensity all the way from where I’m sitting.
“You know, this is where Uncle Falcon and Aunty Layla’s relationship started,” Jase comments as he comes to stand behind Mila while Secrets by One Republic plays. “Maybe it’s a good thing for Fallon and Kao.”
“That would be awesome,” I say, glancing up at Jase.
He holds his hand out to Mila and says, “How about we stop pretending we hate each other for a couple of minutes, and you dance with me?”
Mila glares at Jase, but still, she places her hand in his, grumbling, “You have one song.”
“I’ll take what I can get,” Jase smiles as he leads her away from the table.
“Damn, is it just me, or is there love in the air?” Noah asks as he gets up to come to sit next to me.
“I’m hoping love is in the air,” I reply, grinning because I’m happy to see my friends dancing, and I think the song fits them perfectly.
Hana slumps down in a chair and reaches for a bottle of water. “My shoes are killing me.”
I wiggle my toes in the snug confinement of the heels I’m wearing. “I feel your pain.” I grin at Hana. “Aren’t you going to pick someone to dance with?”
Hana shakes her head, and her eyes turn to Fallon. “No, Fallon and Jase dancing is enough. Besides, there’s no one here I want to dance with.”
“Ouch.” Noah slaps his hand over his heart, feigning hurt.
Hana lets out a chuckle. “My feet are in pain. I’d dance with you in a heartbeat, but I’d rather just sit here until this night is over.”
“Just pulling your leg,” Noah says with a grin.
I glance around at the colorful decorations and beautiful flowers. “The hall looks so pretty. You guys did a wonderful job.”
“Thanks, but it’s the first and last time I’m helping the decorating committee.”
My eyes search for Hunter, and I find him at a table with Nate Sparks and his friends, which is surprising. Hunter laughs at something Nate says. I got the feeling Hunter didn’t care for them much, but I must’ve been wrong.
Not surprising, Jade. You’ve been wrong about a ton of things.
On the spur of the moment, I get up and walk toward Hunter, hoping that if I asked him to dance, he wouldn’t reject me in front of all the students. I know it’s an underhanded way of trying to talk to him, but I’m scared if I let too much time pass, he won’t give me a chance to apologize at all.
Nate sees me first, and his smile broadens. “Damn, you look good, Jade.”
“Thanks.” My eyes rest on Hunter’s face, and it takes a couple of seconds before his gaze flicks up to meet mine. “Hunter, I was hoping you’d dance with me?”