Page 131 of Knot What She Seems
“And you have a cute…nose,” he blurts.
“I know,” Harper says, finally managing to free her hand from his incessant hand shake.
I snort and shake my head.
It feels strange for them to meet, like my two different worlds are coming together, colliding in a way that feels irreversible and irrevocable.
“Ohhh…the headmaster is taking the stage.” Harper knocks my shoulder with hers. “I think your moment to shine is approaching.”
I swallow down the razor blade that has become lodged in my throat.
“Yay me.”
“Don’t be scared,” Colter rumbles, his lips dangerously close to my ear.
“I’m not scared,” I retort instantly.
“You look a little pale,” Sam oh-so-helpfully points out.
“And there’s sweat on your forehead. Righttttt there.” Harper wipes it away with her finger.
“And you’re shaking,” adds Sam.
“And you’re?—”
I shoo them away. “Okay, okay. I get it. I’m a hot mess.”
“You’ll be fine,” Harper assures me. “Just stand up there, accept your award, smile for the cameras, fend off the groping hands of omegas, and find us afterward.”
“I won’t leave your side,” Colter vows, and the rich tenor of his voice sends a thrill through me.
After I accept the award as Teddie, I can return to my dorm, change out of these clothes, and come back down as Brylee. Then maybe… Maybe I can dance with my scent matches. Just one song. Or two. Or three.
I haven’t seen any of them since I arrived, and I wonder if they’re searching the building for Brylee. The prospect of them looking for me makes heat flare in my stomach and cheeks.
Maybe more than three dances…
“Wait a minute.” Harper’s brow furrows, and she squints at something in the distance. Abruptly, her face drains of all color. “Oh shit.”
“What?”
I turn to follow the direction of her gaze, as does the rest of the crowd. Everyone goes utterly silent at once, like a giant candle being blown out. The ballroom becomes so quiet you could probably hear a pin drop.
There, standing at the top of the staircase to the ballroom, looking as regal and imperious as ever, are the king and queen.
My parents.
Oh…fuck.
47
BRYLEE
Panic spinsinside my stomach like a dog chasing its own tail—stupid and manic. There is absolutely zero chance that I’ll be able to convince my parents that I’m Ted.
My feet are sliding backward across the marble unconsciously as I scan the crowd for the nearest exit.
“I just…need to…use the restroom,” I say lamely, turning quickly before my father’s scanning eyes can find me.
