Page 22 of His Daring Girl

“Um…yeah,” Baylor answers. Ryeson is still mute, but that’s his usual MO. He’s always quiet. And Baylor is a chatty Kathy. It’s probably why they’re best friends.

“We can hide the trophy if you guys want to get back to the dance,” Baylor offers. “They should be announcing who the prom queen is soon.” He smiles at my girl. “You don’t want to miss getting your crown, girl.”

Shit. I completely forgot. We need to get back to the gymnasium. There’s no way I’m going to let my girl miss her moment.

“Yeah, come on, babe. We should get back in there.”

She nods and we head back out.

“Sorry, babe. You’re going to have to wait until later to have me,” I tease, wrapping my arm around her waist.

Her giggle makes my heart thump, but as we enter the gymnasium, it immediately dies. Her eyes go to the stage where they’re making the announcement. “And our prom queen is…” Mr. Stanley pulls the card. “Ruby Meyerson.”

CHAPTER 15

Ruby

I should have never come to prom.

The entire room erupts into applause. Everyone’s eyes turning to face me. They’re all smiling at me and shouting my name. Whistling loud.

Chase nudges my side. “Go on, baby. Go and get your crown.”

I can’t even move. It’s all so surreal. I was just a loser. A nobody who people made fun of. I feel Chase’s fingers lock around mine and I look down at our joined hands. He starts to lead me to the stage and up the stairs. I feel like I’m floating. This seriously can’t be happening. Yet, when I look out at the sea of happy faces, I know it really is.

“Congratulations, Ruby. I was rooting for you,” Mr. Stanley whispers, placing the crown on my head.

There’s another eruption of applause and I can’t even believe it. I’m absolutely speechless. This is crazy. I wasn’t even supposed to be at prom. Three months ago, I thought it was going to be another life event I’d miss out on. And now… Now, everyone’s shouting my name. Truly excited that I won.

“Now, it’s time for our king and queen to choose a partner and take the floor for a dance.” Kyler immediately walks to Presley, and I turn to Chase.

“I knew you’d win, babe. God, I love you.”

Those words. They’re more shocking than the crown on my head. He loves me. Me. Ruby Meyerson. The saggy tits loser.

“It looks like you got what you wanted, Chase, and now you can finally break up with the girl,” Cassie says, stepping right in front of us with a nasty sneer on her face. “That’s what you told me, right? You were going to make sure she got my crown. You were going to prove that you could take me down and destroy me. Turn her into everyone’s queen.” Her eyes shift to me. “Hate to break it to you, loser, but he was only fucking you so that people would vote for you.”

The floor feels like it’s dropped out from under my feet. The room is closing in. My pounding heart is the base drum of the horrifying gasps that are echoing around the room. Everything looks blurry, except for Cassie. The proud look on her face is crystal clear.

“You’re just never going to get it, Cassie.” Chase’s deep voice breaks through the beat of my breaking heart. “I would love nothing more than to take credit for you losing the crown to my girl, but you did that all on your own. After everything Ruby told me you did to her, I wanted nothing more than to get vengeance for her. Rip you to fucking shreds and bully you day in and day out, but she begged me not to. She didn’t want me to stoop to your wicked level. And that’s why she’s the queen and you are nothing but a bitch.”

A round of applause breaks out, but Chase’s hand shoots up, and the room grows silent again.

“As for your comment, I’m not fucking her to get her votes. I’m fucking her because it’s the hottest sex of my life.” A thrill washes over me, not just from his words but from the look on Cassie’s face. “You could stand to take some pointers from my girl.” He turns his head and gives me a smirk. “So fucking talented.”

Now my cheeks are turning bright red. He’s saying this in front of the entire senior class. And our chaperones.

“And as for your comment about breaking up with her.” He turns to face me. “I’m never going to let the girl I’m in love with go. Now…” He holds out his hand. “Before we were interrupted by the jealous bitch, I was about to dance with my queen. May I have this dance, Ruby?”

Once again, the earth shifts beneath my feet. This time it feels like the weight that has held me down for years has lifted. Years of living under Cassie’s rule have finally come to an end. All the fear, all the dread, just evaporated into thin air. I look up into Chase’s eyes and I know the truth. She didn’t win. I did.

“I’d love to dance with you.” I take his hand and let him lead me to the dance floor. The crowd parts for us like a parting tide. Everyone is looking at me and smiling, nodding with approval. Chase stops in front of his buddies. “Take the trash out, boys. No bullies allowed at prom.”

The guys start to move in, leading the pack of football players. I let the commotion fade in the distance as I wrap my arms around my boyfriend’s neck, the music drowning out Cassie’s protests. It’s over now. It’s time to put Cassie in the past and enjoy my prom.

“Thank you for sticking up for me, Chase.”

He wraps me tighter, rocking us steady to the beat.

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