Page 15 of Hell Hath No Fury
“Rent a car,” he shrugs. “It’s what? Nine, ten-hour drive? A piece of cake.”
“Maybe if the weather was nice, it’ll be much longer with snow and people driving for the holidays,” Jimmy chimes in.
Eric waves him off. “It should still give us enough time to get there in time.” He lifts his brows at me, a big grin on his face. “What do you say, Hades? Ready to get to your girl?”
CHAPTER FIVE
Callie
“I can’t believe we’re actually here this year.” I grab two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter, handing one to Yasmin. “Alone, no less.”
“What I can’t believe is that we’re here voluntarily. Our freshman selves would be horrified.”
“We’ve come a long way, that’s for sure,” I say, clinking my glass against hers.
“Cheers to that. And for looking hot.” She gives me a once over. “That dress looked amazing in the store, but now with the whole package, you look stunning.”
I’ve tried different dresses but ended up settling on a black long-sleeved, floor-length gown. It looks pretty simple from the front. The fit is tight, the material clinging to my every curve. There is a gap on the right side of the dress that reaches my knee, and then there’s the back. Or, well, the lack of one.
It would have been the perfect dress to wear tonight if Hayden were here. To feel his fingers skim over my naked skin as we swayed on the dance floor.
A part of me wanted just to stay home and be done with it, but I promised the dean I’d be here, like I’ve been every year, honoring my parents and the kids who get the scholarships I set up in my parent’s names. So I figured I might as well look the part.
I straightened my long hair, letting it fall over one shoulder, and did a smokey eye combined with light, shimmery pink gloss.I look good, even I can say it. Although, I think it has more to do with my overall confidence. Ever since I’d started to date Hayden, he showed me just how beautiful I am, my scars and all. And slowly, over time, I’ve started to see myself through his eyes too. Started to care less about what people will think or say and just be… me.
“Why are you two sitting here?” Alyssa says as she and Maddox join us, hand in hand. Maddox’s mom had offered to babysit Edie, so they’d decided to come and make a date out of it.
“Drinking?” I lift my glass up in the air. “Want some?”
“Sure,” she grabs my glass out of my hand and drinks the rest of the bubbly liquid. “Now, let’s go dance.”
Yasmin and I exchange a silent look, but Aly doesn’t miss it. “What? It’s my first night out in ages and probably the only night out I’ll have in a while, and I’m planning to use it.” She grabs our hands and tugs us to our feet. “C’mon, one last party for the good ol’ times.”
“You’re so drunk,” Yasmin chuckles but doesn’t protest as Aly drags us to the dance floor, where the music has just shifted to an upbeat song.
“Maybe just a little bit.” Aly looks over her shoulder and glares at us. “Hey, don’t look at me like that. Who has a one-and-a-half-year-old toddler back at home? Yes, that’d be me. I can’t go around drinking champagne for breakfast, now can I?”
I scoff. “As if we have alcohol for breakfast.”
“We’re getting old,” Aly pouts.
“Talk for yourself, Mom,” Yasmin hip-checks her as she starts dancing. “We’ve still got the moves.”
I laugh as Yas lifts her hands in the air, her hips moving seductively. I let the beat pull me in, too. All jokes aside, we haven’t been out since late summer. These days we prefer staying home, eating tacos, and drinking cocktails in the comfort of our home. I didn’t mind it, but it was different.
I watch my two friends laugh and dance.
We were different.
Older, more mature.
But that is okay.
Not just okay; it’slife.
Yasmin takes my hand and twirls me toward her. I chuckle as my body bumps into hers, and then Aly joins us as we goof around on the dance floor.
Even after all this time, there is still an ache in my chest when I’m dancing. Like there is a little piece of me that’s missing. Hayden and I still go dancing every once in a while at the community center, which is always fun. There is nothing quite like seeing old people give your boyfriend dating advice while he dutifully listens and nods his head. But while he’s helped me heal, I know there will always be that small piece of me that’s going to miss dancing. Miss the idea of what could have been—in another lifetime.
