Page 4 of The Tip-Off
“We should celebrate.”
No sooner than Blair says the words I spot Joel, Wes, and Zeke walking toward us with swagger that splits the room to let them through.
“I think Joel has something planned. He was being weird earlier when I asked what the plan was for tonight.”
My throat is dry, and I have to clear it twice so my voice is more than a whisper. “Uh, guys.”
I nudge Blair and she follows my gaze to the guys.
Going to college via online classes has one big disadvantage – no boys. No running into a handsome guy at a frat party – how Vanessa met Mario. No looking across the classroom and enjoying the eye candy – like Blair and Wes. And no running into your soul mate in University Hall like Joel and Katrina.
The whole soulmate thing I don’t care about so much, but I am looking forward to the eye candy, and the three in front of me are some of the very best examples of why I decided to finally move to Valley for my senior year. The spring semester isn’t quite over, but I thought I would feel less like a freshman if I got to know some people before Fall classes start. The next few months are my own version of orientation. Though the agenda is more social than academic.
My gaze flits over each of them. From Wes’ blue eyes and crooked smile to Joel’s jet-black hair and charm to Zeke’s dark skin and large build… good God, my body shivers with appreciation as I get a good look at him.
Zeke Sweets, basketball king and NBA prospect, has traded his jersey for grey slacks and a black button-down shirt. My eyes trace the ink running up his left hand and disappearing into the rolled sleeve of his dress shirt. It’s only when I’m giving that muscular arm a second sweep that I notice the paper in one hand and the clear box in the other.
He shifts the clear box awkwardly, so it’s lodged between his side and elbow and unrolls the paper. It says something, but between the fluorescent lights bouncing off the glitter and the way Zeke’s brown eyes lock on mine, I’m having a hard time reading it.
“What’s going on?” Blair asks.
Joel responds for the guys by stepping forward, tossing me a wink, and handing Katrina a clear box identical to the one Zeke has. “Prom do-over, babydoll.”
It’s then that Wes nudges Zeke forward and the mystery box is pushed out in front of me. I giggle at the large corsage inside, a nervous reaction. A peek at Blair beside me confirms she had something to do with this. I missed my high school prom and it’s never sat right with her. In all honesty, I’m more excited about starting over than trying to make up for the past, but I appreciate the thought.
With shaky hands, I take the box and Zeke looks like I’ve taken the weight of the world off his shoulders. “Wanna go to prom with me?” he asks with just enough humor in his tone that I think he might find this as ridiculous as me.
“Love to.”
* * *
Turns out this prom is better than whatever I missed in high school. The back yard of The White House, the nickname for the mansion Zeke, Wes, Joel, and Nathan live in, is packed. A DJ booth is set up in one corner with large speakers that vibrate my insides as we pass by it. Bodies push and grind to an old jam and I raise my arms with the rest of the crowd when Busta tells us to put our hands where his eyes could see.
“This playlist is killer,” I yell over the music to Blair. “Way better than whatever you had at your prom. And I cannot believe you guys got a foam machine.” On the other side of the party, people are disappearing into the foam and reemerging with big smiles.
“You said you always wanted to go to a foam party, now you have.”
I throw my arms around her neck. “You are amazing.”
“I can’t take credit for this. I had a small idea for a party and Joel took it to a whole other level.”
We find a spot somewhere in the middle of the party and set up in a circle – girls on the inside and guys hanging back. Wes stands two steps behind Blair, beer in hand. He’s not dancing but doing a tiny little head bob to the music.
Vanessa has a similar setup – although V is turned toward her boyfriend Mario making it very clear she’s dancing just for him.
Joel and Katrina have disappeared altogether, but that’s not unusual for them. I think they spend more time naked than clothed when they have a night without Katrina’s son Christian.
The sight of Mario and Wes watching their girls so possessive and adoringly makes me happy. But also, insanely jealous like if they weren’t already my friends, I’d hate them for being so ridiculously in love.
In beat to the song, I turn to the side so I can see Zeke standing behind me. He’s not looking at me possessively or adoringly. Actually, he’s not looking at me at all.
What does it take to get Zeke Sweets’ attention? Basketballs for boobs? And I don’t mean huge boobs, I mean literal basketballs. The only time I’ve really seen him smile is when he’s on the basketball court.
We’ve barely spoken to each other since getting in the limo to drive to the party, but I can’t help but feel a little burst of pride being here with him. He’s so handsome and big and strong and intense and handsome and… did I already mention handsome?
“Gabby baby!” Nathan shouts as he enters our couple circle. He tucks one side of his long hair behind an ear and then tackle hugs me.
I let out a surprised chuckle as all the wind is knocked out of me. “Good to see you, too.”
