First up: Tank.
Second up: Figure out what was going on between Piper and me—if there was anything.
Third up: Confront my father.
Chapter Thirty-One
Piper
The glittery maroon dress hugged my torso, and I wiggled to break free. It wasn’t that it was an uncomfortable dress; it was just that I didn’t necessarily want to be wearing it.
The winter formal seemed so stupid at a time like this. Every time I glanced at the clock, my nerves intensified. The only thing I could think about was Ollie and how he was at the races—alone. My heart had sped up a little each time I had caught his eye this week. I hadn’t been alone with him since he helped me with decorations on Monday, but I could feel him watching me during class. And during lunch. Butterflies swarmed my stomach, and I was pretty sure I’d formed an ulcer from all the uncertainty going on in my life.
I hated that he was racing tonight.
I hated that he wasn’t taking me to the dance.
And I hated that he wasn’t going to see me in this dress, because I totally picked the color to match his Charger. Yes, I was that pathetic.
“You girls look stunning!” Ann walked into Hayley’s bedroom and beamed at us. I’d always liked Ann, even when she was just Hayley’s social worker. I had a hunch that Hayley did, too. They shared a special relationship, and I kind of envied it, which wasn’t really fair since Hayley hadn’t had a real motherly figure in a very long time—if ever.
I did, sort of.
My parents didn’t even know the winter formal was tonight. They had no idea I’d slaved over decorations the past few days or that I was even on the committee. Maybe part of it was my fault. They had called and checked in with me last night, but I eluded talking about anything with real substance in my life. They didn’t ask, and I didn’t tell. It was as simple as that.
“Thanks, Ann.” Hayley smiled shyly as she looked at herself in the mirror once more. She ended up getting the navy-blue dress that cut at her mid-thigh. I’d already bet her an iced coffee that Christian would demand she take it off.
“Yeah, thanks, Ann,” I repeated, looking down at my dress again.
It definitely was a pretty dress, hugging my body like a glove until it reached the
curve of my hips. Then the bottom part fell gracefully to the floor, landing at my sparkly gray heels. The best part about the dress was the slit in the front that went dangerously high. The dress was almost a reflection of me: mostly innocent with just a glimpse of sin. I wasn’t as innocent as some people thought—like my parents.
Speaking of the pair… “Where are your parents? I told Hayley they could come by and take photos if they wanted!” Ann walked over to me and fixed a piece of my hair. “This maroon color looks so beautiful on you, Piper.”
I smiled, ignoring the drop of my stomach. “Oh, um…” I felt embarrassed, and I hated that. I had decent parents; they just weren’t present.
Hayley swooped in and saved me. “Her parents work a lot.” She bent down to strap her heel around her ankle. “They’re on a business trip, right, Piper?”
“Yes, I think they’re in Prague until later next week.” I was able to hide my disappointment, although I was certain Ann could see right through me.
She watched me closely, her mouth splitting to say something, but the doorbell rang, and she sighed. “Must be the boys. I’ll go get it.”
Hayley and I exchanged glances, and she gave me a crescent-like smile. I didn’t need to say thank you because she already knew how I felt.
Soon, Hayley and I left her bedroom and walked down the short hall to meet Eric and Christian. The pull in my stomach pulled even tighter with each clank of my heels against the hardwood. I should be with Ollie right now.
I glanced down at my phone, hoping I’d have a text that read along the lines of, Come watch me race. But there was nothing on the screen besides an old photo of my brother and me.
I wondered briefly what Jason was doing and if he was at the races, watching Ollie win back the money he owed.
“You boys look quite dapper!” Ann’s cheerful voice rang out into the foyer, and Hayley snorted.
Then, came the brooding voice of her boyfriend. “Hayley, you said your dress wasn’t short!”
I held back a giggle as I watched the pair of them spout off. “It’s not that short! I thought you’d like it.”
Ann was standing back with her hand over her mouth, as if she were truly enjoying seeing them argue back and forth. Eric came to stand beside me, and the three of us waited until Christian ate his words and basically groveled at Hayley’s feet. “You look amazing, Hay. Of course I like it. I just don’t like to share.”