Page 15 of Unholy Confessions
"You look beautiful," Dad says, his voice hoarse as I stand in the foyer, waiting for RJ to get here so that we can head to prom.
"Thank you." I smile up at him, happy that he seems to be so happy and at peace. There was a time when I wasn't sure whether we'd be here or not. I'm so glad we are. "Thanks for helping me buy the dress."
He laughs, slinging his arm around Mom's neck. "You did that on your own, getting straight A's this year. We're so proud of you."
Mom agrees, reaching over to fix one of the curls my hair is up in. Just as I'm about to say something to her, a group of cars and trucks pull into our driveway. I recognize RJ's, along with his parents and a couple of friends from school, namely one of my best friends, Skylar, along with her date.
RJ heads up the steps, and I have to do a double-take. He looks so hot in his suit, with his hair styled in a slight mohawk, wearing the same sunglasses that his dad is famous for. I smile at him as he comes in, a blush creeps up my neck as his eyes rake over my body. "You're gorgeous…"
"You're not so bad yourself," I wrap my arms around his waist and pull him close.
We share a hug, before our parents break us apart, wanting pictures. We stand there with friends taking so many pictures that my mouth is hurting by the time we're done.
"We gotta go," RJ says, we have a reservation.
But we don't really have one. We're going to the Waffle House, and eating some greasy food before we hit up the prom. As a caravan we head to the closest one, walking in, in our dresses and suits.
"Y'all gonna eat here on prom night?" The cook says from where he stands behind the counter.
"We sure are," Skylar answers, pushing me toward one of the booths.
RJ has a seat next to me, and we sit together, his arm slung over my shoulder, his hand dangerously close to my breast. When the tip of his finger swipes against the bare skin of my chest, I inhale deeply. His eyes heat and he dips down, taking a kiss.
"C'mon RJ, let's get some music going," Skylar's brother, Micah yells.
"Be right back," he whispers.
Skylar glares at me, her mouth open as she tilts her head to the side. "Montgomery…"
"What?" I give her a slight smile.
"You and RJ have done the deed, haven't you?"
Heat floods my cheeks, but I can't hide the smile that spreads across my face. "Yes," I whisper, leaning closer to her across the table. "We have."
Her eyes widen. "Oh my God! When? How was it? Tell me everything!"
I glance around to make sure no one else can hear us, then lean in even closer. "It was beautiful, Sky. He waited until I was ready—really ready. We talked about it for weeks, and he made sure I was comfortable with everything. He was so gentle and patient."
"That's so sweet," she sighs dreamily. "I can tell he really loves you."
"He does," I say softly, watching him across the restaurant as he jokes around with Micah at the jukebox. "And I love him too. More than I thought was possible."
The music starts up—some classic rock song that gets everyone in the restaurant nodding along. RJ makes his way back to our table, sliding in next to me with that confident grin that makes my stomach flutter.
"Miss me?" he murmurs, pressing a soft kiss to my neck just below my ear. The touch sends shivers down my spine, and I lean into him.
"Always," I breathe back.
His hand finds mine under the table, our fingers intertwining as naturally as breathing. The waitress comes by to take our orders—hash browns and waffles for everyone, because why mess with perfection on prom night?
"This is perfect," I tell RJ as we wait for our food. "I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."
"Even not at some fancy restaurant?" he asks, raising an eyebrow.
"Especially not at some fancy restaurant. This is us, RJ. This is real."
When our food arrives, we dig in with enthusiasm, laughing and joking with our friends. Syrup gets on my dress, and RJ gallantly offers to lick it off, which earns him a smack on the arm from me and hoots from our friends.
