Page 24 of Forgive Me For I Have Sinned

"Does it have anything to do with the girl on the left side?"

I saw the way they looked at each other when she sat down with her friends.

"You mean the one I asked out to prom but won't be seen dead with the bus boy from the restaurant?"

"She said no to you?" I ask surprisingly. He rolls his eyes. "Okay, I take that as a yes. What a bitch."

He shrugs. "It's alright, I won't go."

"Why not ask someone else?"

"Her bullshit reason grew wings and most of the girls I would have asked, felt the same, or already have dates."

I take their drink order, but I don't miss the way the girl sitting next to the one that turned Adam down to prom glances at Adam every time he has his back turned with hope in her eyes that he would pay her some attention. The bitch next to her is pretty, wearing shiny lip gloss and a short top that shows the swell of her breasts. The girl next to her is nothing compared to her with what she is wearing, but I think it's because her friend downplays her looks. Girls can be mean like that when they have competition. Senior prom is a big deal in high school and it’s a tradition. Getting asked is a big deal.

I didn't go to prom my senior year because word traveled fast after what happened with Alaric. It's not that I didn't want to go because I did, but I had to turn everyone down that asked. The guys that did asked weren't genuine. You could see it in the way they approached me. It was clear they expected more than a dance. Everyone in my class went and I cried myself to sleep that night and more the next day when I saw the pictures of everyone having fun. I swore to Alicia that I was okay with not going. It was the last thing she dressed up for before she eloped with Chase.

After placing their drinks, I go to place their order in the kitchen when I hear someone from the table ask, "Who is that?" I turn and follow their line of sight behind me and my eyes land on Valen, sliding into a booth and giving me a wink. How did he know I worked here? "He's…wow."

"Hey gorgeous," he says, grabbing a menu like he's here for the food.

"What are you doing here?"

His lips lift in a grin while he scans the menu. "I came to check on you."

I step closer and take out the ordering pad to take his order. "What can I get you?"

He places the menu down and leans back. "Oh, I'm not here for food. I'm here to make sure you attend Draven's little party."

I laugh through my nose. "Yeah, nice try. They would never invite me."

"I'm inviting you and you're wrong. Jess and Gia told me to invite you because they know you would give them some bullshit excuse for not going."

"I don't belong at Draven's party."

"Why not?"

"You know why? It's…awkward."

He lowers his voice. "I think Gia is over the fact you had sex with Draven. It was before her and I'm sure you weren't the only one."

As much as Draven Bedford is attractive, I didn't want to. It was cold, rough, and impersonal. I didn't get off. I had to fake it and I was glad when it was over.

The girls behind me are whispering and giggling. I look up to see Adam and then turn to look at the girls, contemplating the invite to the party. Valen looks over and shakes his head. "He your friend?"

I slide my tongue over the front of my teeth because I hate catty bitches. Except the girl with the light brown hair is trying to hide her face so that the others don't catch on that she doesn't agree to whatever they are saying. "Yeah. He's a good guy."

"What are you thinking? Who are the girls?" My eyes slide over to his. "Do I wanna know?"

I tilt my head to the side. "If I go, can I bring some friends?"

"As long as they can play ball."

He means no one underage because they sure as hell are not leaving virgins if they go to a Kenyan party. The bell from the kitchen dings, signaling that their food is ready.

Catty bitch number one asks, "You know him?"

"Yeah, why?"

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