Page 67 of Breaking Rules
Chapter Nineteen
MONTANA
Three weeks had comeand gone since Train and I had had dinner with his mom and Principal Flynn had questioned me about the graffiti. The subject had all but died. Even Nina hadn’t followed through on her idle threats that she would make my life hell or get Train back, which wasn’t a surprise to me. Girls like Nina were all talk. And for now, I had other things to worry about, like the upcoming ball that was two Saturdays from today.
My stomach rumbled with giddiness and nerves as Mom and I shopped for dresses. She’d taken a breather from writing and kept her promise that we would spend the day together. The city was bustling with tourists and locals. I couldn’t remember the last time Mom and I had hung out on a Saturday afternoon. I did have to work at five for a couple of hours. Train had plans with his dad and the football coach for USC.
Mom had found her a simple black-and-white dress that fell to her ankles with a slit that traveled up to just below the knee on one side. She was checking a rack in the small dress shop, while I ducked into a dressing room with an A-line floor-length princess-style dress. I shucked my clothes and stepped into the garment, then I walked out to show Mom.
“What do you think of this one?” I twirled around, holding the lace fabric that fell over the satin skirt.
She covered her hand over her mouth as her eyes watered. “Face the mirror.”
I turned and smiled. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”
“You’re beautiful. I love the lacy long sleeves and how the bodice sits well off your shoulder. You can use grandma’s pearls.”
Aw.I teared up. I missed my grandma. She died when I was in the seventh grade. She used to watch me when Mom traveled to promote her books.
“Do you think Train will like it?” I asked.
She grasped my shoulders from behind as we locked eyes in the mirror. “Of course he will. And I love burgundy on you. It makes your blue eyes pop.”
I held my stomach. “Oh God. I’m suddenly nervous.” The hottest guy in school was taking me to a big shindig. I’d never been to a dance, let alone a ball.
“Have you two not had sex yet? Is that what makes you nervous?” she asked as though she were my best friend and not my mom. We had an open mother-daughter relationship. She knew I wasn’t a virgin, and she’d made sure I was on the pill.
“We haven’t.” Not that we didn’t want to. We’d been busy with school, his football, and my job. Plus, anytime we’d been at his house or mine, our moms had been home. Even though my mom was cool with me having sex, I didn’t feel comfortable getting naked with Train in my room. “But that’s not it. I’ve never been to a dance. And things have been going so well between Train and me that I feel like I might lose my glass slipper like Cinderella.” I didn’t think Train would ever go back to Nina, but weird things did happen in the world.
She spun me to face her. “Stop worrying that the bottom will fall out. Besides, Train is head over heels for you. I see how he looks at you when you two are together.”
I knew he liked me a lot, and the feeling was mutual. Maybe that was the reason for my nerves. I liked him too much.
“Let’s get that dress,” Mom said, “then grab a quick bite before you have to work.”
My stomach settled, and the nerves were gone by the time we paid for the dress and found a restaurant that served good seafood. At fifteen minutes to five, Mom dropped me off at the art gallery. After we said our good-byes, she drove away. I was about to go in, when Train sauntered up with a huge grin on his face. He was dressed in a crisp white shirt and brown pants.
Whoa!The butterflies in my stomach took flight as I whistled. “Who are you? And what have you done with my boyfriend?” He looked good in nothing, in swim trunks, and in jeans and his wild-saying T-shirts. But dress pants and a dress shirt? Heat shot down my belly. His hair was even slicked back and tucked behind his ears, highlighting his clean-shaven jaw.
He grabbed my hand and ushered me around the building to a small alley that was surprisingly clean. Before I could say a word, his tongue was in my mouth. I melted into him, my hands sliding around his waist to his butt, which was tight and toned.
He broke the kiss, dragging his lips along my jaw to my ear. “I had to see you before dinner.”
“Are you addicted to me?” I teased.
He eased back. “I’m crazy for these luscious and delicious lips.” He pressed his fingers to my mouth. “I’m definitely addicted to these babies.” He cupped one of my breasts. “And I would love to dive into this.” His hand slid down to my lady parts. “My mom went up to my aunt’s house in Myrtle Beach for the night.” He pressed his body against mine.
“You mean you want to play with my jumanji?”
He shrugged. “Okay. But more than play.”
Heat rose up to burn my cheeks. “Really?” Suddenly, a wild tap dance broke out in my stomach, a mix of nerves and excitement. I hadn’t had sex in over a year, but it wasn’t so much the thought of sex as it was the boy in front of me who brought out the butterflies. Taking our relationship to the next level could make me fall head over heels for Train, and that alone scared me. “I get off at eight.”
He waggled his eyebrows. “Then again at nine, ten.”
I rolled my eyes, and my belly rolled too. “Right now, I have to work.”
He had a permanent grin on his face as he escorted me to the entrance of the art gallery. We made plans for him to pick me up later since my mom had the car. Then he gave me a chaste kiss good-bye.
