Page 116 of Wildest Forever

I should be happy.

I get to take the girl of my dreams to prom.

And maybe, just maybe... she might realize that she likes me how I like her.

Once dressed, I walk cautiously down the hallway, passing Riggs' room and the urge to go in there and make sure he is okay has me opening his bedroom door.

He is sitting in the dark and I can just about make out his silhouette.

“Riggs,” I call out, my voice timid and I have no idea why, but nerves are swirling in my stomach.

“Just go,” he says exasperated.

“But I?— “

“Pace, please,” and I hear the crack in his voice.

I nod, fingers tightening around the doorknob.

“Just promise you give her the best night, do whatever she wants, give her a prom night to remember,” he squeezes out and I find myself nodding.

“I will,” I whisper and wait for a response, but he says nothing. “I'm sorry Riggs.”

He stays silent.

So, I step back and close the door softly behind me. Turning, I walk downstairs and see my ma standing at the bottom, looking proud and my heart throbs.

Tripp doesn't look at me, just scoffs in disgust as he sits in the living room, back to me.

“Ignore him,” my dad says as he grabs the lapels of my jacket and tugs down. “Have fun, be safe.”

He pats my cheek, and I reply with a nod.

Mom places a small flower in my boutonniere, before handing me a corsage for Aspen. My eyes fall and I look at the pretty flower that matches my boutonniere and my heart thrums a little faster in my chest. She kisses me on the cheek, and I return it with a smile.

“Have fun,” she chimes in after as she opens the door and I swallow down the nerves, my dad following behind me as he unlocks the truck, the lights flooding the front of the drive and I can't help but look over my shoulder at Riggs' room and that's when I see him, sitting in the large sash window, staring down at me.

But when he sees me looking, he disappears, and I fight with myself if he was ever really there or just my mind playing tricks on me.

Glaring at the truck, my heart constricts when I see the fairy lights that are looped around the roof racks. He gave her fairy lights because she is scared of the dark.

This is so wrong.

I shouldn't be going with her.

Slamming the door closed, rage simmers dangerously close to the surface.

The engine starts and the need to bite my tongue overwhelms me.

I know I should be saying something to my dad, but I don't, because I am a coward. Easier to keep my mouth shut and do as he says.

The drive is short, and my dad leads me to the Warren's house. A soft knock on the door and within seconds, Blue is opening the door, and I see the look of confusion on her face when she sees it's me standing there and not Riggs.

“Pacey,” she breathes out as she forces a smile onto her face.

“Mrs Warren,” I smile back, ducking inside the house and I can hear my dad speaking quietly and I know he is spinning her a web of lies to cover his ass.

“Pace?” Austin says from the kitchen, and I hold my hand up. “What happened?”

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