Page 85 of Crew Princess
I grumbled into the phone, “Can I go to prom in fashionable sweatpants?”
“Is there such a thing?”
There had to be. All those fancy airport shots. “Celebrities fly in stuff like that.”
“Yeah. Okay. I don’t know what you’re talking about. Get the dress. Text me or call me when you’re leaving the store, then when you get in your vehicle, and when you’re driving back. Don’t forget we have dinner tonight with your brother.”
I winced. I’d forgotten that too. This is what happened on not enough hours of sleep, and a full day of zoning out while two Normal students were interviewed. When they were asked about the crews, I snapped to attention and glared. I did my best glaring.
Once word got out that I was taking note of what everyone was saying, I didn’t have to do much more than the occasional glare. But I got really good at it. A few times I pulled my knife out. And I had to do it when I was in the back and when I knew no camera guy would turn and see me. Cause, shit would be bad for me if that happened. It was worth it. Eyes got real big once my knife showed even for a second, and the rest of the students got through their questions without revealing much of anything after that.
“I will. Love you,” I told him.
“Remember, stay incognito.”
The store’s bells rang behind me as someone came in.
I nodded. “Consider me a chameleon. No one will recognize me. Trust me.”
I hung up and turned around, coming face to face with my ex.
“Oh, fuck. It’s you.”
Drake Ryerson grinned down at me, cocky. “You might be blending in with the dresses behind you, but I’m pretty sure it’s Bren Monroe standing before me.”
“Look at me, laughing. A comedian has entered the building.”
He chuckled, but some of his cockiness faded. He moved around me, scoping out the place. His hand traced over some of the dresses. “Imagine my shock, driving down this street in Fallen Crest and seeing one of your brother’s trucks.”
See? I really had tried for the incognito, even swiping the keys for one of Channing’s vehicles.
“And I’m pretty sure the girl I saw leaving that truck and heading in here was not Heather.” He touched on the end of my braid. I smacked his hand away, “Your future sis-in-law does not have dark hair.” He skimmed me up and down, the same way the store clerk had, but a whole layer of dirt followed his path. “And Jax shows more skin than you do—not that I’m complaining. You could showwaymore skin.”
God. That grin.
I wanted to punch his throat, wipe it clean. “What are you doing in here, Drake?” I looked behind him. “And alone?”
“Why areyoualone?” he countered.
I didn’t think Drake was my enemy, currently anyway, so I really needed to get this damned thing and go. The clerk hadn’t come back. I kept looking, just for more options.
“I’m shopping, and hiding from Taz since she thinks I should already have this dress. My excuse is justified. Why are you alone? You’re a part of the buddy system, you know.”
He followed along, pulling out a dress for me. “This would look good on you.” He pointed out the short hemline. “Lots of thigh. Cross would thank me.”
I took the dress, hung it back up, and squared against him. I guess I shouldn’t be multitasking here. One opponent at a time.
“You are here for a reason. Youfollowedme in here for a reason.” And I wasn’t forgetting what Alex had warned us about him—that Drake wasn’t here to lead the Ryerson crew.
Was Alex wrong? Was Drake actually here for me? That didn’t feel right. Drake would’ve been pestering me long before now. Too much time had gone by when he was scarce.
Drake went after what he wanted. I’d once thought it endearing. Now I used it as a warning sign.
No. Drake didn’t want me, but what then?
I pinned him with a look. “Just say it, whatever you came in here to say.”
He hesitated, and I knew I was right.
