Craving Lily (The Aces' Sons 4)

“Should we get dressed first, or—”

“No,” Rose answered me quickly. “We need to do makeup and hair first. That way if I drop something, I won’t get anything on our dresses.”

“I’m helping,” Hawk said firmly, smacking the bed. “I was never into the prom thing, but you guys are fucking adorable and I want in.”

“Not with makeup, though,” I answered, my lips twitching. I hadn’t seen Hawk’s face in years, but I remembered the Mohawk and thick black eyeliner she’d worn back when she used to hang out with Rose’s brother Mick. They were best friends until Micky died on the day I’d lost my sight. She’d shown back up a couple years later and started hooking up with Rose’s other brother Tommy, and they’d been together ever since.

“I can do hair,” Hawk replied. “What’s the plan on that?”

“I just want mine in a loose French braid,” I said quickly before Rose could go off on one of her rants.

“That’s so boring. Why don’t you put it up?” Rose argued.

“Because I like French braids. They’re classic. Plus, I don’t have to worry about it falling down and not being able to fix it.”

“It’s not like I’d let you walk around with fucked up hair,” Rose grumbled.

“I don’t want you to babysit me all night.”

“Oh, what the fuck ever. If you think I’m leaving you with Brent, you’re outta your mind.”

“What’s your date going to think of that?”

“I’m pretty sure when he asked me to go with him, he thought he was getting two for the price of one!” Rose yelled in frustration.

We both went silent for a long moment, then burst out laughing.

“Nuh-uh,” I argued.

“Oh, yeah. He asked if you were coming with us. I think he was going to get you a corsage or some shit.” Rose snorted.

“That would have went over well with your brothers,” Hawk said.

“Probably a good thing I got my own date,” I replied.

“And he’s pretty,” Rose added.

“Oh, yeah? How pretty?” Hawk asked.

“Like a model from one of those stores in the mall that smell like a broken cologne bottle.”

“Eh, not my type,” Hawk said. “I like them a bit more manly.”

“Oh, whatever,” Rose replied. “You got with Tommy. Not sure you’re that picky.”

We turned on some music that Hawk complained about and spent the next two hours gossiping as we got ready for the dance. My dress was actually two pieces. The skirt was black and sat high on my waist, just barely poofy, and went all the way to the floor to cover up the flats I was planning on wearing. High heels just weren’t an option for me, unless I wanted to land flat on my face. The crop top was a white lacy thing, high necked with bare shoulders. I’d tried on a bunch of dresses, but it was hard not seeing the colors I was trying on. I was glad I’d chosen black and white. They were classic, and the pieces were so simple that I could easily picture them in my head.

Rose was just finishing my lips when someone started knocking on the front door.

“Oh, shit,” Hawk said in surprise. “What time did you tell the guys to pick you up?”

“I told Jayden seven,” Rose muttered. “Dammit.”

“That’s what I texted Brent, too. He never answered, though,” I said.

“I’ll go see which one it is. You guys ready?”

“As I’ll ever be,” Rose answered. “You’re all done, Lil. Stay right there, I’m going to take a picture of us looking all hot.”

“Cheese,” I called out cheekily as I felt Rose press her face close to mine.

“You’re such a pain in the ass,” she complained, kissing my cheek. “But I love you anyway.”

“Back atcha, cousin.”

“Rose, Jayden’s here!” Hawk called from the living room.

I followed Rose out of our beauty salon and smiled huge as I heard Jayden’s intake of breath when he saw us.

“Holy shit. You look gorgeous, Rose,” he said quietly.

“Thanks, dude,” Rose replied, making Hawk snicker.

“You too, Lily,” Jayden said.

“Thanks!” I nervously reached down to fiddle with the bangles on my wrist. I hated when I knew people were looking right at me. It was probably a pretty common occurrence, but most of the time I had no idea for sure. It was much harder knowing that someone was checking you out and you couldn’t see the look on their face.

“Back to me,” Rose said, becoming the center of attention again. “You got me a corsage?”

I tried hard to stifle the laugh I could feel building in my throat. She’d totally called that one.

“Yeah. I wasn’t sure what shade of purple you were wearing, so my mom said to just get white roses,” Jayden chattered nervously.

“I think he’s going to pee himself,” Hawk whispered so low that I knew she was talking to only me. “And he got her roses?”

“It’s sweet.”