She was staying close to either Austin or me, and I was very anxious to get her home to see if she wanted to talk about it.
But first, I had to do some glad-handing, then I needed to hit the showers. Austin and Pixie told me they would wait. The team was already showered and in various states of undress when I went into the locker room. They erupted in cheers and backslaps. Even Mark acted like he’d won something as well. The other teams that were sharing the locker room with us all retreated to their sides.
“Hey! Thanks.” I struggled to stay upright under the weight of all the good tidings. I was on a high for a long time.
Chapter 64
Pixie
AFTER GETTING MY makeup done and Austin helping zip me into my gown, I was ready to face Gaze.
I checked my reflection. If I was even the least bit confused about Austin’s talent, what I was looking at now would change that.
I still looked like me. But damn, I didn’t know my eyes had that sparkle or that my lips were perfect. My hair was shiny and the waves cascaded over one shoulder.
The dress was ridiculous. It skimmed my curves and seemed more like I should be headed to a movie premier.
Austin fanned himself. “Baby, you’re a star.”
I flipped the skirt a little and gave him a spin. What he’d created from a thrift store made me feel like a million dollars. I was excited to see Gaze and see if he liked it, too. And maybe get some more of his gentle kisses.
“Blushing looks great on you. Keep doing that.”
Gaze was standing in the doorway. When I looked from my skirt to his face, he put his hand to his heart like he’d been shot. He mouthed, “Wow,” but he didn’t say it out loud. I knew from the heat in my face I was blushing more than before.
Gaze was in a version of a tuxedo that Austin put together. It had a pop of color with an ascot, and only Austin could make that look cool. He adjusted it on Gaze and then patted both of his cheeks at the same time. “So handsome. Can I video chat Mom and Dad? You know Mom’s dying to see this.”
I slept with Gaze every night, but he was so fancy he seemed a tiny bit like a stranger. I walked over to him and he held out his hand. “You look amazing. And gorgeous. And like my Pixie Rae.”
It mattered that he still saw me that way. Still acknowledged who I was.
He bent his head and whispered into my ear, “Is it okay to talk to Mike and Ronna? Too weird?”
“No. I feel like I know them anyway being in the background of Austin’s calls.”
“Teddi and Milt might be on the other end, too. Prom night is big to Teddi.”
I loved how thoughtful he was, but it was good. “Bring them on. Let’s celebrate, right?”
Gaze sat at the kitchen table and motioned an invitation to sit in his lap. I didn’t think now was the time to try that out. I wanted to be refined, like the princess outfit I had on seemed to require of me.
“Oh my gosh! Austin! What did you do to them?” Teddi’s face was too close to the camera. She had beautiful skin. It was an extremely close angle.
I had a moment of worry before she backed up, then we could see her giant grin. “That’s your best yet. Holy crap.”
Austin stood behind us and while his phone was propped on some textbooks. He gave a pretend curtsy and Teddi and Milt laughed.
“You better take some pictures of them for Insta. Do not waste all that fire. Look at them. I just totally want to be there to set up some lighting and—oh, an emo shoot? With Pixie looking over her shoulder and maybe she could put her foot on his knee in another shot and then…”
Ronna’s hands came down on Teddi’s shoulders. “Okay, little director. Let the old people in here for a few seconds.”
Ronna slid on a set of reading glasses. “Oh, Gaze. Look at you. So grown up. And Pixie? You’re stunning. I’m so excited for you both. What’s the theme again?”
Gaze looked at me, and I knew he wanted me to answer, interact. “Um, I think it’s Hollywood? I’ve seen conflicting signs, so I think there was a little back-and-forth on the whole thing.”
Ronna’s eyes were welcoming, and the way she admired Austin and Gaze just radiated love. Mike leaned into view. “Everyone looks very nice. Hey, not to go off topic, but Coach was really pleased with the scouts’ reports on you, Gaze. It’s all good things. I’m so proud of you. Thanks for trying your best.”
The praise rolled off Mike’s tongue like it was the easiest thing to be encouraging. Loving. I touched Gaze’s hand, thinking how much better it was that he’d been with these people instead of being killed by Bruce.
“Not to hammer home what your sister suggested, but I’d love for you guys to take some pictures, if it is not too much trouble?” Ronna asked. A cocker spaniel was playing fetch with Milt in the background.
Gaze smiled at me. “I’m sure that can be arranged.” Then he lifted my hand to his lips and kissed my knuckles.
Teddi’s voice came through the speaker. “Oh my gosh, look at them. They’re straight out of a Disney cartoon. I’m choking on the cute.” She proceeded to make a gagging noise.
“Whelp, you guys better get going. What time does the dance start?” Austin waved at his parents and blew them kisses before ending the session.
“I think it started ten minutes ago. We better head over.”
“Oh crap. I didn’t know we were already late!” I stood and found my shoes, and then slid on the custom decorated pumps.
“Kittens, call me if you need anything. I’m just going to be here, waiting. I’ll take pictures when you get back.” He opened the door for us.
“Will my make up last that long?” Austin had used brands I didn’t even recognize.
“Baby, that’ll be your face for like the next three days. You’ll need an ice pick and a spatula to get it off. Not because there is a lot, but because it’s an all day long formula.” I put my phone into the little pocket he’d added to the dress for just that reason.
“Thank you so much for your help with all of this.” I patted his shoulder as we walked by him.
“Anytime, Kitten. Have fun. Don’t do everything I would do. But give some of it a whirl.” Austin presented us with a corsage and a boutonniere as we walked to the door. “These are from Mom and Dad. With love.”
Gaze and Austin did a handshake that I’d seen them commit to a few times after the flowers were secure. Mine was a lovely white rose wrist corsage.
And then we were headed down the stairs of Gaze’s apartment building. “Look at us. We’re ready for tonight. I’ll tell you what, I never imagined that we’d be this dressed up in a foyer that smells like piss.”
I busted out laughing as we passed the sometimes working elevator. It certainly did hang on to a formidable urine smell.
“There we go. The laugh. As long as I get that, I’m golden.” He flashed his huge grin at me.
Stepping out into the neighborhood felt weird. The place where I was used to being in a tank top and navigating the city seemed slightly magical. The sun was just starting to set, making the light have a slight orange haze about it.
Gaze put his arm around my shoulders, clearly marking himself as my date. Around the neighborhood, the prom-goers were coming from their places and apartments. It turned the night into a spectacle. People on the street commented, praising us on our elegant attire. I knew the dress I had on was something else. All the other girls’ dresses looked very store-bought. I saw three of the same blue Cinderella one on three different girls as we settled into the line of fancy kids waiting to get in.