Page 54 of Forged Forever

The days after the attempted abduction went back to normal pretty quickly. Other than updates from Mr. MacLeod, it’s life as usual. Erin and Joseph remain in custody, but Colette was allowed out on bail. She and her father are still in the Charlotte area as part of the condition of her bail was that she doesn’t leave the city. The drug used on Jake was a class of drugs called barbiturates, which are sedative drugs used in anaesthesia. There have been no side effects, thank goodness. The trial is set for June 23rd, and Mr. MacLeod is working his magic getting the case ready. Because they took him from South Carolina, the trial will take place in Charleston.

Jake debated how to handle picking me up for prom all last week. He didn’t want his dad to drive us because it was senior prom, but he didn’t want me to pick him up either. He’s delayed in getting his driver’s license just like I was after the accident, and Jake doesn’t want to get his permit until he’s completely recovered. He settled on having Seb and E pick him up, and then the three of them will come to my house. Since Alex is going solo, he’s coming over too. Alex surprised me when he didn’t ask anyone to prom. When I mentioned it, he just winked at me. We're having dinner in Charleston again this year before going to the dance.

I quickly slip into my dress when I get home, adding dangle earrings and my heeled booties. The dress hides the fact that I’m wearing boots, so no one will be the wiser, but my guys are well aware of my aversion to heels by now. A final check in the mirror, then I fill my clutch with the essentials.

Dad is waiting for me when I enter the living room. “Darling, you are so beautiful.” His eyes tear up as a smile breaks out. “I won’t hug you so I won’t mess up your hair, but you look so grown up.”

“Thanks, Dad,” I smile in return. The dress makes me feel beautiful.

A knock sounds at the door, so he walks over to open it, and I hear the guys before I see them. Jake comes in first with his walker, stopping when he sees me, his mouth dropping open.

“Jake, man, what’s wrong? You stopped in the way,” Seb asks, stepping around him. When he looks up, he notices me, breaking out in a wide grin. “Damn, Sunshine, you’re gorgeous!”

E gives Seb a shove as he and Alex file into the room. All four guys are wearing pale blue somewhere. Seb and E have light grey suits on. Seb in a light blue shirt and grey tie, and E in a white shirt and light blue tie. Alex is in a navy suit with a light blue pocket square, and my Jake has a sand colored suit on with a light blue shirt and tie, along with a light blue pocket square.

“You look beautiful, Summer,” Alex smiles at me.

“Incredibly beautiful,” E adds.

Dad, Alex, Seb, and E step towards the kitchen, and I realize they’re giving Jake his time with me as his date. So thoughtful. Jake finally composes himself, walking towards me, and I meet him at the corner of the couch for a hug. “Sum, I’m at a loss for words. You…you’re just stunning.”

“Thanks, handsome,” I smile, pulling back. “You look very dashing tonight.”

He slips a corsage onto my wrist. A small rose, a calla lily, and two sweet peas. “Everyone is with us tonight,” he whispers, kissing my hand, and my eyes fill with tears at his gesture.

“Time for pictures, everyone,” Dad announces, so we line up along the dining room wall. He takes a group pic first, then several of me and Jake, individual shots, and every other combination he can think of. Seb takes a few of just me and Zander as well. Once everyone is happy, we pile into my Jeep, with Alex driving.

E chose a small Italian restaurant for dinner this year, and Bay and Penny are waiting for us in a large booth at the back of the restaurant when we get there. Bay's wearing a black suit and tie to match Penny’s black velvet fitted gown. “You guys look amazing. Penny meet Jake. Jake, this is Bay’s girlfriend, Penny.” They both say hello as we sit.

E pre-ordered our meal, so the staff serves drinks and appetizers quickly. Conversation is light, revolving around graduation, college, and summer plans. The meal is scrumptious, with handmade pasta dishes and sauces, and dessert is an assortment of gelatos.

The prom this year is at the conservatory, which I’m very excited about. There’s no valet parking, but there is a vast parking lot. Alex drops Jake, Seb, and me off in front of the building before finding a parking spot. A few steps up and we enter the stone foyer. The glass dome is directly ahead through a set of double doors, and red ropes hang across the hallways to prevent wanderers from going down them.

Seb opens the door for Jake and me. As we enter, soft, warm lighting greets us, and scattered in front of us are cream and gold decorated round tables. A dance floor is in the middle of the room, with a stage set up at the far end. Sconces line the walls, but it’s the glass dome that steals the show. With a full moon and few clouds, the stars are glittering above us. They seem larger than usual, sparkling better than any chandelier. “Wow.”

Seb touches my arm, pointing to a table near the dance floor where Holly is waving. He leads Jake and me around the edge of the room. “Hey girl. You look fabulous,” she greets.

“As do you. That dress looks fantastic.” Gabby did an amazing job. She cut layers into the bottom third of the dress, adding the satin sash as ribbons to the bottom of each layer, creating ruffles. You would never know she altered it, and I think it looks more expensive now than it did in the store.

“I love it. Gabby’s a true talent,” she beams, swishing back and forth.

We take our seats, and then Holly extends her hand. “Hi Jake. I’ve heard so much about you. I’m Holly.” Jake smiles and shakes her hand before she introduces Jaxon, and then she leans closer to me. “I thought a table beside the dance floor was best so Jake has an unobstructed view and there’s no other tables in front so he can move around easily.”

“Thanks. I appreciate it.” I smile at her. Alex and E find us just before the band steps on stage. I look around, finding Bay and Penny at a table further back with her friends.

The music is wonderful, much quieter than last year, so we can actually talk to one another. I people watch as the room fills up and conversations flow around me. Jake is already talking to Jaxon about track and field.

Seb lasts two songs before he’s dragging me onto the dance floor, followed by E, Jaxon, and Holly. We have a blast dancing around each other, staying close to the table. My eyes keep straying to Jake, but he seems fine, watching me and talking to Alex. When the first slow song starts, I take a seat at the table, and Alex offers to go grab water for everyone. I lean my head on Jake’s shoulder as I watch Seb and E. “Having fun, Sum?” Jake asks.

“Yeah. How are you doing?”

“I’m good. Grateful to be here with you. Not how I imagined our prom, but after what we’ve endured, it’s more precious.”

Leaning up, I kiss his cheek. “Very precious handsome.”

Alex arrives back just as the song is ending, with his hands full of water bottles. Thanking him, I crack one open and take a drink as Seb and E join us for a break.

We spend the next hour taking turns dancing and chatting. The guys naturally rotate so Jake is always sitting with one of them if I’m dancing. My friends are the absolute best.