Foul Ball

Spring formal came much too quickly, and my exhaustion didn't ease up. Every time I reminded myself to go get bloodwork done, something came up that stopped me from doing it. By the night of the dance I still hadn't' remembered, but my mind was elsewhere. On the dress, the one that flowed and caressed itself perfectly around my body. On the limo that Jayce and Dalton had rented for the four of us, picking me up in style, a bouquet of roses tucked into Jayce's hand as he took my arm and led me from the front door of the apartment and into the luxurious ride.

"My god," he breathed as he scooted in next to me. "You're a vision, milady."

"You're not too bad yourself, sir," I said, fighting the warm tingle between my legs as Jayce stared at me, a burning flame of desire flickering behind his eyes. He was dressed in a crisp black tuxedo, his hair combed back, and sexy, black dress shoes polished and gleaming. We looked good. Really good.

"I knew that dress was the one," Candace said, leaning across the seat to hug me. She was dressed in a stunning red strapless, and her blond hair was pinned back, braided against her head, and I only wished I could have done my hair that well.

"You look beautiful," I told her. "Stunning, actually."

"Doesn't she?" Dalton murmured, and I realized that he hadn't taken his eyes off her for even a single second.

"I think we got the reactions we were hoping for," giggled Candace as the driver of the limo made his way to the performing arts building where the dance would be held.

"I think so, too." I scooted closer to Jayce on the open seat and kissed him, resting my hand on his upper thigh, teasing him. Jayce kissed me back as though we were the only two people in the world, uncaring, hungry for me.

"Are you ready for this?" he asked softly as the limo pulled up to the entrance of the building. The place was lit up like a spruce on Christmas, and it took a moment for my eyes to adjust to our surroundings. Shimmering lights and decorations littered the sidewalks, the trees, and the lawn. Jayce took my hand, helping me out of the limo, and Dalton and Candace followed suit. Many students were there already, and they all looked just as good as the four of us. Apparently at ERU, dances were taken seriously.

Jayce and Dalton handed the volunteer our tickets and we made our way into the auditorium. If I thought that it had been lit up and shocking on the outside, it was nothing compared to what was going on inside. There were banners, lights, streamers, a fog machine, a waterfall that trickled a bubbly stream of water, a food table stuffed with snacks and treats and actual dinner, and a beverage table where they served sparkling cider and juice, soda pop and champagne. It was perfect.

"And all this time I thought going to a school dance would be stupid," I mumbled, head swimming with the activity around us.

"Well, now that we're inside," Jayce said, turning to me. "May I have this dance?"

And so we danced. We danced slow, we danced fast. We ate hors d'oeuvres and sipped champagne and signed our names on the billboard outside. It didn't take long for the champagne to go to my head, and while it felt good to let go, the nausea in my stomach rolled.

"I'm going outside to get some air," I told Candace, watching Jayce and Dalton show off on the dance floor with moves that I couldn't determine were awesome or terrible.

"You okay?" Candace shouted over the dull roar of the crowd and music and I nodded.

"Be back shortly." Turning on my heel, I made a beeline for the back door, certain that I was going pass out right there in the middle of the auditorium. My face hit the cold, fresh breeze as I stepped out, sucking in air like a fish out of water. Breathless, I closed the door behind me, slightly muting the sound inside as the silence became heavier. Louder. A small garden table and two chairs sat on the lawn, and I stumbled over, once again going lightheaded and dizzy before I could sit again. With a groan, I folded my arms on the table and rested my head down in them.

"Macey?" a voice said, and Jayce poked his head out the back door, spotting me a second later. At once the carefree, jubilant smile he'd had only minutes ago was gone, and it was replaced by adamant fear. Before I could stand up to reassure him, he'd rushed across the lawn towards me, concern and worry etching the handsome features of his face.

"I'm okay," I said, putting my hand on his arm before he could completely lose his shit. "I just needed some air. Too much champagne."

"Sit," Jayce said, and so I did, settling back down into the chair in exhausted relief. He took the empty chair across from me, holding one of my hands between his. "Macey, what's going on?"

"I told you. Too much champagne."

"You had half a glass," said Jayce, and the worry in his voice when he said this out loud expanded tenfold. "Have you seen the doctor yet? You promised me you'd get in there."

"I've been trying, Jayce, but life keeps happening."

"You need to promise me." Jayce squeezed my hand, almost painfully so, and I detected an urgency I rarely heard from hidden in his tone. "You need to promise me that tomorrow before your shift you'll go get checked out." "I will," I said, and Jayce shook his head, unbelieving.

"If you think I won't bound and gag you and throw you over my shoulder to take you in myself, you are sorely mistaken."

"Don't be silly," I said with a grin I hoped would put him at ease. "I'm happy to be bound and gagged by you."

Jayce opened his mouth to reprimand me, and then closed it again, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. But then just as quickly as it was there, it was gone again, and his eyes were burning right through me. "I'm not kidding," he said. "Tomorrow."

"And if I don't?" Of course I would, just because it meant so much to him, but I was still curious to hear the answer.

"If you don't I'll tell Hansen."

"Dude."

"So go, Macey. Do you want me to come with you?"

"You have class in the morning," I said with a shrug. "It's okay, it won't take long."

"Good." Jayce stood up and leaned over the table, resting his lips on top of my head, allowing them to linger there a second longer than necessary. "Do you want me to take you home?"

"Yes," I said, as the fatigue and exhaustion overcame me again. Jayce helped me to my feet and then stopped, reaching into his pocket for a folded envelope.

"I meant to do this earlier but I forgot about it," he said, handing me the envelope.

"Jayce, what's this?" I fingered the envelope, almost wary to open it. Every time I thought this guy couldn't outdo himself, he managed to again.

Then again, what if it was bad news and he just couldn't tell me himself?

"Just open it," he said, and so I did, ripping the seal on the envelope to pull out the contents from inside: plane tickets. Not one, but two. To Michigan, for the weekend of the wedding. "What-"

"Before you say anything, let me just say this," Jayce said quickly, covering my hands with his. "This doesn't have to happen. I just wanted you to have the option." "For the wedding," I confirmed, holding up the tickets, and Jayce nodded.

If you're loving the book, nel5s.com is where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you!

"I got two of them, in case you wanted company. It doesn't have to be me. It can be Hansen or Kylie or Candace or whoever...but I will say that I would really love to meet your parents."

It wasn't funny, but I laughed. I laughed out of anxiousness, mostly, because the thought of putting Jayce through the nightmare of meeting my parents was all too real.

"You don't want to meet my parents," I said. "Trust me on this."

Jayce took the tickets from between my fingers and slipped them back into the pocket of his suit, eyes searching my face as he reached out and touched my cheek. "They're your parents," he said quietly. "I haven't forgotten the things you've said, the way they've treated you, but I think this is an important step."

"You'll hate it," I promised him, succumbing to the gentleness of his charms. "You'll hate everything about my old homelife."

"I couldn't hate it." Shaking his head, Jayce brought my body closer to him, molding my body to his. "There's nothing about you, your past, or your family that I could hate. I'm not dating them, I'm dating you."

"Damn boy." I placed the palm of my hand against Jayce's cheek and kissed him, savoring the way he tasted, the cool peppermint of a breath mint. "You're just bound and determined, aren't you?" "Always."

"What is today, Sunday?"

"Yes.

"The wedding is next Saturday."

"Yes."

"That means you have five days to change your mind," I said. "Choose wisely."