Page 39 of Yours and Mine (Friends with Benefits)

That’s right; Carter had decided to train as a firefighter for our little town. He was taking on the life that I wanted Nick to have chosen so that he could be close to me.

“Why are you shaking your head?”

“It’s nothing. I just wish Nick was staying too.” I didn’t want to be upset at him, not when we only had a week left together. “Actually, would you mind helping me pull a prank on Nick? I’m so sick of crying over him for leaving. It’s time to have some fun.”

“Now that’s the girl I remember. What do you want me to do?”

“Come on. I’ll tell you about it inside.”

We took our customary pictures as a couple by the barn door and then went inside to find our table. The barn was decorated with giant sunflowers, haystacks, pitchforks, wheelbarrows, and other farm tools, completing the farm theme we were going for. It wasn’t that difficult to come up with decorations when every second house in town was an actual farm. White lights were strung on cords that spanned the width of the barn, spaced every few feet apart. The intimate lighting sent shivers up and down my arms.

Nick and Daisy joined us soon after we arrived. We exchanged hugs and a few polite words. Nick didn’t look too happy, but at that moment, I didn’t have time to baby him. He was the one with the great idea of keeping our relationship a secret, so he could suffer some more.

There were six tables of eight set up for prom. Given that our school was so small we only had one graduating class, it was a tradition to have prom with the graduates from a neighboring town. Each year a different school hosted the event, and this time, it was our turn. The seating arrangements had been mixed to avoid rivalry and each table had almost an even number of teens from each school.

When the time came for a first dance, I took Carter’s hand as he led us to the middle of the dance floor. Nick’s face took on a new shade. It wasn’t even close to red, but more like purple.

I put my arms around Carter’s neck and he lowered his hands to my waist, the way all other couples were dancing. I was wearing a halter top long blue dress that curved just over my hips before flaring at the bottom. Feeling another man’s hands on my body felt odd, but Carter was a gentleman, which couldn’t have been easy for him. Carter was one of those guys who spoke his mind before thinking, and I constantly had to remind him how to act around ladies. But not tonight. Tonight, his acting was perfect. Was he acting?

He leaned in to my ear, whispering, “Would it be pushing it if I kissed you?”

“If you value your life, then yes. I’m not sure how much longer Nick will be able to play this game.”

“Which means that I’m doing my job. He better stand up for your honor soon, because I’d love to dance with Daisy.”

“Well, what do we do, then?”

He lowered his hands from my hips and slid them down to my ass, squeezing it, forcing my body much closer to his, feeling his every manly muscle and curve.

Oh!

I touched my hand to his cheek in the most loving manner I could muster. It took seconds for Nick to be at our side with Daisy. He bumped my shoulder, anger burning in his eyes.

“What the hell are you doing, Jo?”

“Ahm, dancing?”

“Hey, the song’s not over yet,” Carter complained.

“Piss off, Carter! And get your fucking hands off her ass.”

“Why?” he asked, dumbfounded, stopping our slow swaying motion. “I mean, it’s what happens at proms, you know. You dance, you kiss, steal a little touch here and there—”

“Because that’s my ass!” Nick growled and let go of Daisy, stepping between us, right into Carter’s face. “And if you say another word about any other part of her body, I swear I’m going to rip your balls off.”

By that time, a few of the other couples had stopped dancing as well. It felt like the entire hall quieted, and everyone was looking at the four of us. Daisy, whom I’d spoken to about our plan in the bathroom, was standing to the side, chuckling.

“Hey, the last time I checked, it was my ass!” I touched Nick’s tense shoulder.

Nick looked from me to Carter in confusion as we both said, “Gotcha!”

“Wait, what’s going on?” he asked.

“Nothing, you silly monkey. Now come and dance with me so that Carter can dance with Daisy.”

“Wait, but what about—”

“Nick, just shut up, will you!” I finally grabbed him by his neck and pulled his mouth to mine in a lip-lock.

---