Page 30 of Keeper of Hearts
"You're going with me," he says. "But Corey can hang out with us."
"Gage," I whisper, smiling despite myself. He is completely crazy. I love it so much.
"I'm just kidding," he says, grinning back at me. "He's taking Laura Groves."
"Dude, seriously?" Tommy Chambers asks Corey.
I don't even have to turn around to know the entire table is officially jealous that Corey is taking a literal Hollywood starlet to Prom. But I do turn around to make sure Corey is okay with the change of plans.
"Um…are you sure?" I ask him. He's been a good friend to me this week. I don't want to hurt his feelings or make him feel like I'm abandoning him.
"Yeah, baby girl. We're good," he says. And then he looks at Gage. "But I get to dance with her."
"One fast song, three feet apart," Gage says.
I'm pretty sure he's not joking.
When Corey grins at him, I know he doesn't mind.
I glance between the two of them, and then my gaze drifts to Victoria and her group of mean girls. Victoria is glaring at me like she hates me. I'm not surprised. She may be afraid to cross Gage, but he just stole her ammunition and made her look like a jealous brat in the process. And with Laura coming to the dance, I'm pretty sure he just stole every bit of spotlight that would have been on Victoria, too.
I almost feel sorry for her. At least until I remember the time she told everyone she caught me peeping in Gage's bedroom window. That little bit of empathy shrinks quickly at the reminder.
"What do you say, butterfly?" Gage asks. "Will you go to Prom with me?"
"Yes," I whisper.
As soon as I say the word, he pulls me closer. His lips touch mine in a soft caress that I feel all the way into my soul. His tongue flicks against my bottom lip, making my knees weak. So does the sound rumbling in his chest. It's half hungry growl, half impatient grunt, as if he's just as desperate as I am.
"Enough, Bronx!" Principal Wickers shouts from across the room as half of our classmates whistle and catcall.
Gage grumbles, reluctantly breaking the kiss. But I don't even care because he wraps his strong arms around me, holding me close. And for the first time in a long time, I don't care that everyone is staring at me. I feel like I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be.
Chapter Thirteen
Gage
"It's my turn," I say, scowling at Corey as I step up behind Troian on the dance floor in the gym. It's decked out with fairy lights and tissue paper, but it still smells like ass.
Troian doesn't. She smells like peaches, and Corey is hogging her. The fucker has already danced with her twice tonight. I'm pretty sure he's doing it specifically to piss me off. He thinks it's funny. It's not.
My girl looks like a fairytale princess, and I'm tired of sharing her.
I want her all to myself for a little while.
"Fine," Corey says, smirking at me. "Ruin my fun."
"Go have fun with your date," I mutter, tugging Troian closer to me. As soon as she's pressed up against me, I dip my head, brushing my lips across her shoulder. Her skin is so soft. I've been touching her for two weeks straight, and I still can't get over how soft and sweet she is everywhere.
"You mean my beard."
"Yeah, your…" I trail off when I realize what he said. "Wait. What?"
He laughs instead of answering.
"Bye, Corey," Troian says, waving at him as he salutes me and then turns to go back to the table where Laura's signing autographs while waiting for him.
"He's gay?" I ask, spinning Troian to face me.
