Page 147 of Off-Limits (Rixon High 1)

“And risk Lindsey doing something stupid like whispering in Coach’s ear?” I grimaced. “I can’t risk it. It’s just one dance. Hopefully it’ll placate her enough so I can talk to Lily tonight and we can decide how to break it to Coach.”

“Fuck, man. I don’t envy you. He’s going to flip his—”

“Bry.” Gav shook his head. “Let’s go. The sooner we get this over with, the sooner we can leave.”

I followed them out of the locker room and down the hall, pulling out my cell phone and pulling up Lily’s number. I didn’t want to tell her everything because she would only worry unnecessarily, but I needed to tell her something.

Me:I can’t wait to see you later. We’ll leave as soon as we can… and listen, if you hear anything about tonight before I see you… just trust me, okay?

I waited for a reply,but nothing came through, so I pocketed my cell, hoping she got it before the rumor mill reached her.

We piled into Gav’s car and made our way to school.

“I can’t believe I’m doing this,” I muttered as we pulled into the parking lot outside the gymnasium.

“Duty calls now you’re king,” Bryan snorted, and I flipped him off as we exited the car. “I can’t believe the girls decided not to come in protest at Lily refusing to come.”

“Nah,” Gav said,” I think it’s neat they support her.”

“Yeah, I guess. I’m just gutted I’m not going to get to see Peyton in a killer dress.”

“You need to let that shit with her go,” I said. “She isn’t into you like that.”

“Yeah, I know.” Dejection etched into his expression. “Can’t blame a guy for trying.” He shrugged.

“The night is still young, man. Who knows, maybe you’ll find a cute, unsuspecting girl tonight to work your magic on. Someone like Carrie-Anne, maybe?”

“Carrie-Anne? Fuck off. She’s a total nerd.”

“She’s kinda cute though.” I snorted.

“You hook up with her then. Carrie-Anne Trombley,” he muttered. “She probably cries poetry when she comes.”

We’d barely reached the doors when Lindsey appeared.

“Holy shit,” Bryan let out a low whistle. “Now that’s a killer dress.”

Dread swarmed my stomach as she made a beeline for me. “I was beginning to think you weren’t coming,” she purred.

“A deal’s a deal,” I gritted out.

“Hold up,” Bryan said, wagging a finger between us. “What the fuck is going on?”

“Kaiden didn’t tell you?” A smug smile spread over Lindsey’s face. “He’s my date to Homecoming.” She laced her arm through mine and started tugging me toward the door just as Bryan said, “What the fuck?”

A chill ran through me as I realized this was probably a really fucking bad idea.

But it was too late now.

Chapter Thirty-One

Lily

“Hurry, we need to hurry,”Peyton said, fluffing my hair out. It felt strange feeling the weight of it down my back, but there was something oddly freeing about it.

After the game, we’d headed straight home to get ready. We didn’t have long, so it was all systems go. Poppy and Sofia had left five minutes ago with Aaron and Cole. I loved my sister, but I was relieved it was just the three of us.

I felt sick to my stomach. So much so, I was shaking. But it wasn’t only nervous energy zipping through me. It was anticipation too. I couldn’t wait to see Kaiden’s reaction when he saw me walk into the dance.

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