Page 16 of Full Throttled

He growls. “You know this dress isn’t even a dress. You need to wear something different.”

“Well, dad didn’t care so you shouldn’t either. Zip me, please.” Reluctantly, he zips the dress up. I spin around and see Drake standing at the bottom of the stairs. His eyes widen as they drink me in from head to toe. His ears flush red and I can feel the heat fill my cheeks. Drake is not a dressy guy but right now in his tux he looks beyond handsome. “Well, you clean up nicely,” I tease him.

He swallows and smiles. “You look stunning,” he says quietly, and the air between us is thick with tension.

“Thank you,” I tell him.

He steps up a few stairs. “As amazing as you look, I have a bit of a surprise for you.” He looks nervous and I finally notice the heavy garment bag draped over his arm. “I kind of did a thing.” My mind stops and I feel the emotion thicken in my throat because somehow, I know what’s inside that bag. “I wanted you to have your perfect night. You deserve it and it starts with this gold princess dress.”

Silence hangs between us and I blink to keep the tears at bay. “What?” I finally manage to croak out.

I look between Zayde and Drake a few times, both smiling from ear to ear. “I suggest you go change so we can get to this damn thing,” Zayde tells me.

Drake takes the bag and lays it on my bed once we reach my room. He leaves out of my room without another word. I unzip the bag to find the gold tulle dress with the sequined bodice tucked inside along with a few pieces of jewelry. I quickly slip off the mini dress and get the tulle ball gown on. I open the door to find Drake standing against the wall. “Do you mind zipping me?”

Drake clears his throat. “Sure.” I turn around and he zips me up and reaches around to pull the necklace from my hands before placing it around my neck and fastening it. I turn around and meet his eyes. “You look even better than before, if that’s possible.”

I blush and look away when there’s a flutter in my chest. “Thank you…for everything. You’re always saving me, Drake.”

He slips his forefinger under my chin and raises my head so that I’m forced to meet his eyes. “As long as you let me.”

Zayde appears in the stairwell, breaking the spell between Drake and I in this moment. “Liam is here. We need to go pick up Mary Ann and Tess.”

Once we get to the prom Zayde and Drake go to the dance floor with their dates while Liam goes to spike the punch bowl. Of course, he does. I sure know how to pick them. He comes back smelling strongly of whiskey. He throws his arm over the back of my chair and caresses my bare shoulder. I cringe at his touch. “You know I sure didn’t think you would wear something like this.”

“What do you mean?” I ask, slightly offended by Liam’s comment.

He chuckles. “You’re so covered up. It’s a damn shame not to see that body of yours.” He bites down on his lower lip, while his other hand tries to caress my thigh.

I push his hand away. “Not tonight.”

Liam scoffs. “You’rekidding me, right?”

“No,” I tell him harshly.

“You’re nothing but a damn tease. I’m done with this shit. Do you know how many girls would kill to replace you,” he tells me, his tone threatening.

I roll my eyes. “Then replace me because I sure as hell don’t give a damn.”

Liam gets up and stalks off. I wrap my arms around my stomach and stare as Drake and his date, Tess, as the sway to the slow song. I laugh to myself. She looks like a real princess with her long blonde waves and cotton candy pink dress, while I sit here feeling like Ursula in The Little Mermaid. You know the scene where she’s transformed for the wedding. I’m just pretending to be a princess when really, I’m just a whore dressed in champagne clothes. I shake my head and stand up before heading out to get some fresh air.

The air is thick with a spring storm on the horizon. Moisture clings to my skin and my heart aches. The realization that my father is right about me hangs heavy on my shoulders. I just wanted one night where I didn’t feel like a cheap whore that he claims that I am and for a fleeting moment I had that but just like Cinderella it turned midnight and I’m back to being a pumpkin. I really should blame all those fairy tales I loved growing up. They’ve given girls like me unrealistic expectations in life. Noknightin shining armor on a white horse is coming to save us.

“Why are you out here alone? Where’s Liam?” that thick southern accent causes goosebumps to crawl over my skin. The voice that comforts me at my worst of times. Maybe, I’m wrong. Maybe, I do have aknightin shining armor.

I shrug. “He left.”

“He left?” I nod my head yes and look away. “What the hell?”

A sarcastic laugh falls from me. “I really know how to pick them. I guess my dad is right.”

Drake moves towards me, taking my chin between his finger and thumb. He forces me to look at him. “He is never right about you. Don’t for one second allow him to win, Zo. You’re so much better than he will ever know. He doesn’t deserve to know you that way Zo.” His words hit my heart, one at a time and wraps arounditlike a warm blanket on a cold night. They make my body feel light. He’s always saving me.

I nod slowly and try to step away from him but he grips my elbow. “You should get back to your date.”

“I’d rather dance with you,” he tells me and I can see the sincerity in his eyes. I nod and he pulls me back against his chest. We sway to the music. I promise myself I’ll allow myself this one dance. This one moment to feel safe in his arms yet again but one dance turns into another and before we realize the prom is over. Tess has disappeared and Drake is driving me home.

Twelve

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