Page 102 of Taking Sides

Her gaze snaps to mine. “Are you kidding? I love them! This is so nice, but you didn’t need to do this.”

“I fucked you out of your other ones, remember?” I joke. “That was a proud moment for me.”

“All I needed was a new back for one of them,” she reminds me again.

“Yeah, well, I didn’t know how to do that. This was easier.” And way more fun.

Short, strained laughter leaves her lips. “These are stunning and entirely too much. Thank you.”

“I would have gone bigger, but the sales lady said they weren’t very practical for everyday wear.”

She laughs again. This time, the sound is melodic and happy. “Should I wear them tonight?”

“They’re yours.” I shrug.

I lean against the dresser as she puts them on. My heart’s racing the entire time. I don’t know if it’s her or the impending speech, but I feel like I can’t catch my breath. Once she’s done, she tucks her hair behind her ears to show them off.

“What do you think?” she asks.

“Gorgeous, but you always are.”

“Always so charming.” Whitney steps to me and presses her body to mine. She places a quick kiss to my lips and then meets my stare. “How are you feeling about tonight?”

“Like I’d rather stay here and try to fuck you out of another pair of earrings.”

Her lips pull into a wide smile. “Later.”

I’m going to cling to that promise like a lifeline.

At the high school, I park and stare at the brick building. I haven’t been back since graduation, but it looks exactly the same.

The ping of Whitney’s phone pulls my attention to her. I can’t read her expression, but it’s something like concern.

“Everything okay?”

Her face flushes. “Yeah. It’s great. Sorry. One second.”

She taps out what I assume is a reply without any more explanation and then tucks her phone into her purse. After, she gives me her undivided attention.

“You don’t have to hide that you’re talking with Victor,” I tell her.

Her brows tug together, and I motion toward her purse.

“I know. That wasn’t Victor. It was . . . doesn’t matter.” She shakes her head, then hits me with a big smile. “Ready to do this?”

“No,” I say through a strained laugh. “But the ceremony starts in ten minutes, so I suppose we should go in before they think I’ve bailed.”

I move to open the door, but Whitney places a hand on my leg and stops me with a single word.

“Wait.”

Gladly. I sink back into the driver’s seat.

“I know how much you didn’t want to do this and how big of a deal it is that you agreed anyway. Coach Carson might not realize the sacrifice, but I do. It’s inspiring. You inspire me.”

“Me?” I stop trying to hide my nerves from her. I doubt I was succeeding before anyway. “The guy over here shaking like a leaf inspires you?”

I hold up a hand to show her I’m literally shaking.