“What is it?”
“Maybe we shouldn’t.” She glances up at me, looking worried.
“What? Why? Who gives a fuck
what that jackass said, Sydney.” I grab her hips and pull her flush against me. “You look amazing and we’re going to spend every second in there so wrapped up in each other that you won’t notice anyone else. And if you do, I’ll distract you. Okay?”
She releases a shaky breath as she nods. “All right.”
The prom is already in full swing when we walk inside behind a guy and his date. Sydney pinches my hand and nods toward him. Ah, so that’s the motherfucker who broke up with her. And he replaced her with another date. What an idiot.
Leaning down, I kiss her neck and a bit too loudly say, “Can’t wait to get you back to the hotel, Sydney.”
She stiffens, but her ex turns around with a look of surprise.
He laughs when he sees her, which pisses me off. “Good luck with that, man.”
I grin. “I’ve already hit it. Why do I need luck to do it again?”
His mouth drops in shock. I excuse us to walk around him.
Sydney elbows me in the gut. “Why did you do that?”
“Because he needed to know that it wasn’t that you weren’t willing to have sex. It’s that you weren’t willing to do it with him.”
“What if he goes around telling everyone—”
“Stop worrying about what everyone thinks, Sydney. They don’t matter. You’ll be away from them in a couple of months anyway.” I pull her onto the dance floor amid all the bodies, but she looks dissatisfied. “What now?”
“I hate when you’re right.”
After a quick kiss and a laugh, I say, “Get used to it, babe. Now, dance with me.”
We dance for a bit. She finally relaxes and ignores everyone else, which is good because I stopped paying attention to them the moment her hips started moving. She drags me away at some point because she’s thirsty. We grab some food and drinks from the buffet table and sit down. I’m finally introduced to her best friend, Carey. It’s not exactly a warm welcome either. I’m starting to think Logan and Carey don’t like me. That’s bullshit considering there’s no reason to dislike me. Sydney doesn’t seem to let it get in the way of our relationship, and that’s all that matters.
A few of her classmates glance our way and I suspect it’s because I’m here. Why wouldn’t they be nosy about a guy they don’t know being at their prom? I do notice that her ex keeps glancing over at us. His loss. She’s all mine. I may touch her more since he’s watching, but I have to be careful since there are chaperones around.
When her friends leave the table for more dancing, I lean in. “Having fun?”
She nods, resting her forehead against mine. “Yes. I’m glad you’re here. It’s been too long.”
“I know. I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault.” She glances away and adds, “I think the line for pictures has died down. Are you going to get some made with me?”
“It’s your prom. I’m here for whatever you want.”
The grin she gives me is so not appropriate for our surroundings. “I’ll keep that in mind.” Sydney stands and we’re off to take pictures.
My energy depletes more and more every half hour, but Sydney seems to be having a blast. We dance. She talks to her friends. Eventually, I sit down while Sydney goes to the restroom. If she isn’t quick about it, I’ll doze off before she makes it back. I’m fucking exhausted. My eyelids droop because they’re so heavy, but I keep my gaze locked on the bathroom doors.
Her ex makes his way over there and I stand. He is not about to ruin her night for the second time. Sydney walks out of the bathroom and stops short when she sees the jackass. He starts talking to her and I walk faster.
“Who is that guy you came with?” I hear him ask.
“None of your business,” she answers.
“Let’s go, Sydney.”