Page 96 of Roses and Skulls

And I am happy.

Life is definitely looking up. I think a lot of it has to do with letting go.

I’ve realized that I don’t have to carry the pain of that night with me everywhere I go. I don’t have to introduce it to every single person I meet.

“What can I do to help?” I ask, rubbing my hands together.

“Nothing.” He points to one of the chairs. “Sit, this weekend is my early birthday gift to you.”

Don’t have to tell me twice. Watching Elijah do anything, is like a live and in stereo thirst trap. He pulls his hair back into a bun, showing off the tattoos on the sides of his head.

“Let’s get crazy while it’s still light out.” He motions for me to follow him to the rod.

We determine that he is in fact the donut king. I laugh so hard I’m afraid I’m going to pee my pants. There’s nothing like having an open space to drive fast and spin-out, without fear of hitting anything. By the time we’ve almost burned through a tank of gas, it’s starting to get dark out.

He tells me that he has an outdoor shower set up for us behind the bus. He takes his first as I sit and watch the sun dip behind the mountains. It’s so beautiful out here and not a soul in sight. When he finishes, he comes around the bus in nothing but a pair of boxers.

I swallow hard, slightly nervous about the night that is to come.

“So, I have something for you to change in to after your shower. There is a mirror back there and everything you need. Your mom helped me with this part of the surprise.”

“Okay,” I say nervously. What is all this about?

I get up and walk around the back of the bus, finding a little vanity set up and I see my makeup and things lying out across it.” I run my hand over the black bag that must contain my outfit for the night. Slowly, I unzip it to find a beautiful, sparkly blue dress.

My hand flies to my mouth. This is all so unexpected.

“Do you like it?”

Elijah is leaning against the back of the bus watching me.

“It’s beautiful.”

“I have a lot of regrets in life,” he continues. “Not taking you to your prom is one of them.”

Tears pool in the bottom of my eyes. “I didn’t go to prom.”

“I know, your mom told me. Hence all of this.” He waves his arm out.

One thing I didn’t expect from the beautifully, brutal looking man standing in front of me, was romance. Elijah just checked another box. Can he be any more perfect?

He backs away. “I can’t wait to see you in it,” he says and then with a wink he disappears around the back of the bus.

For some reason, when I sit down after my outdoor shower to do my makeup, I begin to feel a sadness settle deep in my heart. I miss my mom. She had begged me to go to prom. I didn’t have a date, but I knew Jackson would have taken me in a heartbeat. But I wouldn’t indulge her. Instead, I simply informed her that there would be no more dances for me.

Draven stole so much from me. From her.

I set my phone on the vanity and hit video call.

She picks up on the first ring, my dad hovering over her shoulder. “What’s wrong, baby?” she asks.

I smile at them and instantly they both drop their shoulders in relief. “Nothing is wrong.” My chin settles in my hand as I stare at my parents through the screen “I’m sure you both know that Elijah is giving me a mini prom out in the middle of nowhere.” I laugh and rub my hand over my forehead, watching as they both nod. “Well, I thought maybe you would want to, well, I thought you might want to help me get ready.”

My mom tears up, but answers right away. “Yes, baby, I sure do.” She gets up to assumably grab some tissues.

My dad picks up the phone. “Everything is going okay?” he asks.

“It’s perfect, daddy. Thank you.”

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