Date Me

I’m not sure.

But I do know that Shark has been having a field day. There have been numerous bets placed between girls and boys based on the game’s score that have nothing to do with money changing hands.

After the parade, he walks up to me and comments on the sucker in my mouth. “There is just something so sexy about a girl licking a lollipop.”

“Oh, it’s not just a lollipop. It’s a Blow Pop. Imagine how exciting it will be when I get to the surprise inside.”

Shark snickers. “Were you not just dying laughing the entire time? I followed your float down the whole parade route just to watch the old guys drool.” He hands me his ever-present flask.

“You’re drinking already?”

“The parents have just arrived and I’m beyond horny. What do you think?”

“Dawson’s parents about walked in on us in his dorm room today.”

“My parents did walk in on me and Shelley today, although we were just kissing. I’m not sure if they were proud or pissed. Hard to tell. Mom’s had so much plastic surgery she has a permanent smile.”

“So how are the odds looking for Queen?”

“The odds are in Peyton’s favor. Does Whitney know that you’ve been chatting up the Freshmen?”

“I hope not. She’d really hate me. I’m not doing it to be mean; you know that right?”

“I know that,” he says as he hands be back the flask. “Here, have another drink.”

My cell phone rings. “It’s Dawson,” I tell Shark.

“Hey, Dawes.”

“Come meet me in Riley’s room. The Johnson boys are wishing Riley luck before the JV game, and my little brother, Braxton, wants to meet you.”

I tell Shark I have to go.

I walk into Riley’s room to find Camden, Riley, Dawson, and a little Dawson clone who must be Braxton, involved in a loud conversation.

Cam says to Braxton, “I heard you got caught by Mom with two girls in your room, who were only wearing their underwear.”

“Bro,” Braxton says, “I was this close to a threesome.” He holds his thumb and finger an inch apart. “Damn giggly girls. Mom heard. Came storming the fuck in. Now, I’m fucking grounded for a whole month. Which is fucking shit cuz Dad was gri

“Brax, Keatyn is here now. You need to watch your mouth,” Riley scolds.

Braxton cocks his head at me. “What? You've never heard the word fuck? Fu

I'm not easily shocked. But my mouth flops open. Braxton continues. “Just wait until this summer. You go

“Uh, I don't know.”

“Well, you can be sure of this. My brothers are go

“I'd know you’re not,” I say.

“How’s that? Everyone says I look really old for my age.”

“You might look older than you are, but you cuss too much. You sound like a kid who just learned how. Makes you sound like the eighth grader that you are.”

His studies my face. “Are you fucking with me?”

“Nope. I'm serious.”

He nods his head. Smiles at me, just like Riley does, and shakes his head. “I'm go

“Your wingman?”

“Yep, I have my arm around a hot older chick at the beach, all the other hotties are go

“Now that sounded very mature. And as long as it’s okay with Riley and Dawson, I'll be there. Nice to meet you. I have to get to dance. We’re having a pizza party with some of the alumni before the game.”

Riley says, “I’ll walk with you. I’ve got to get to the locker room too.”

On the way there, he asks me about tonight. “So Braxton is spending the night with me and Dallas. I’m worried about sneaking to your room.”

“It’s been three days, Riley. I think you’re right. It must not have been him.”

“But what if he was waiting for Homecoming? There are going to be a lot of people coming and going this weekend. It’s kind of a security nightmare. Caterers. Foodservice. Delivery trucks. Rental companies. Alumni. Families. If you didn’t belong here and wanted to get in, this would be when you’d try to do it.”

I sigh. “Shit. I didn’t think of that. You’re right. Maybe I just won’t sleep?”

“That won’t work. Maybe you could go stay with Dawson? No, I have a better idea. I’ll send Braxton to stay with him. It might mess up some of your fun, but it’s worth it, right?”

“Yeah, it is. Thanks, Riley. I know it’s a pain for you to have to get up every night, sneak out, and then sleep on my floor.”

“Your rug and I are having a hot affair.”

“I think I’m going to give you that rug when this is over.”

“If we get through Homecoming weekend then I think you’re safe.”

I can’t eat anything at the pizza party because I’m feeling a little sick.

Riley brought up an extremely good point about security this weekend.

It makes me worry about Katie. What if Vincent did come in my room? What if I screamed and she woke up? What would he do to her?

And what about this weekend? All these people here? What would he do? How would he try and take me? Would he cause a commotion like he did at my party?

Or would he try to catch me when I’m alone?

I’m deep in thought when I get a text from Aiden.

Aiden: Quick. Come outside.

Me: I don’t think I can.

Aiden: Make up an excuse. Trust me, it’s worth it.

I make up a lame excuse in my head, but don’t end up having to use it. I just slip out u

Aiden is waiting for me outside the dance room.

He tells me to close my eyes.

Once we’re outside the doors, he puts his hands on top of my shoulders and turns me so that I’m facing another direction. Down toward the football field, I think.

He leans his face over my shoulder. His lips lightly touch my ear as he whispers, “Open.”

I open my eyes and see a brilliant sunset. It’s gorgeous. Today was cloudy, kind of dreary, the sky threatening rain. Now the bottoms of those puffy clouds are multiple shades of pink, gold, and blue all radiating out from a red ball of fire low in the sky.

“It’s beautiful,” I whisper.

“Yeah, I thought so too. I’m glad you like it.”

I turn away from the sunset to face Aiden. The view in this direction is just as brilliant. The colors of the sunset are bouncing off Aiden’s green eyes.

I turn back around and look at the sunset again, remembering what Aiden told me about his mom.

I say a quick thank you that I made it through another day. That I’m still here.

I start to get tears in my eyes.

Aiden has no idea how much seeing this sunset helped me. How it calmed me down from freaking out about Vincent.

For some reason, this sunset gives me hope that I’ll win.

Somehow, I have to win.

“Thank you. I was having a rough day. Showing me this sunset helped put it all in perspective.”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

I shake my head. “Remember the stuff we talked about in the chapel?”

“Is your friend having more trouble?”

“Yeah, she had a scare, I guess you could say. Something weird happened recently and she thinks he might have discovered where she is. But he hasn’t come for her yet. Like, to get her. So she’s waiting. And waiting is scary.”

“I bet.”

“But the sun just set on another day of her being safe. So that’s a good thing.”

Aiden touches my arm. “I’m glad I could help.”

“You always help,” I say before I think better of it.

Aiden smiles at me and gives my arm a little squeeze. “What have I told you before?”