Unforgiven (Wanderers #3) (54 page)

Josie tossed me a cup and a cherry coke. “Oops, I
forgot the ice. I’ll be right back.” Josie popped out and not a
minute later I heard a scream. Josie popped back in with a bucket
of ice. “I never get tired of scaring people,” she giggled.

I poured myself a drink and began to get ready. “So
what time is everyone meeting?”

“Everyone is coming here around six. So that gives us
a few hours to get ready,” Josie confirmed by checking her
cell.

We managed to get Josie a dress when we went shopping
for school clothes. It was a hot pink, chiffon dress that grazed
the floor. The top tied around the neck and cut low in the front.
Josie liked anything that was low cut. She always said if you
got’em, flaunt’em.

Josie helped me with my hair and I helped her with
hers. I smoothed out her hair into nice waves and let her borrow
one of my barrettes to pin on the side. We curled my hair and piled
it on top, letting loose tendrils fallout all over the place. By
the time we were ready to get dressed I was already on my third
drink and having a hard time getting into my dress. “Suck it in
Ella,” Josie complained, trying to tighten the corset part of my
dress. She was sitting on the bed with her one foot on my behind,
pushing to pull the strings.

“Josie, I need to be able to breathe,” I gasped as
she pulled at one of the strings.

“Do you want to breathe or look good?”

“It’s not going to do me any good if I die from lack
of oxygen.”

“If your face turns blue then it will at least match
your hair and dress.”

“Just loosen it!” I yelped. It started to pinch my
skin it was so tight. She cussed to herself and began to pull out
the strings when Cameron knocked on the door, letting herself
in.

“What. The. Hell. Are you two doing?” she asked,
looking at us disturbed.

Josie still had her foot on my behind and was sitting
in her bra and underwear. “Glad you’re here, now you can do this
while I finish getting ready,” Josie said.

“Wait, I think you bruised a rib,” I said, taking off
the dress.

“Stop being a baby.”

I made a drink for Cameron while Josie did her makeup
and I regained my breath. I skipped the next drink and opted for a
snack instead. I was pretty buzzed and didn’t want to be too tipsy
or worse…sick. “If you keep stuffing your face you’ll never fit
into that dress.”

“Shut up Josie,” I said, throwing a pretzel at her.
“Alright Cameron, the boys should be here soon so I need you to
help me back into this dress.”

Thankfully Cameron had not tied it as tight as Josie
and I was able to breathe. Just as we finished, Austin, Justin, and
Riley showed up with Brennen in tow. “I hope you don’t mind I tag
along,” Brennen said, looking like he felt like the annoying extra
friend who couldn’t find a date.

“The more the merrier,” I said, hoping to help him
not feel like a third wheel. I offered him a refreshment and he dug
into the beer, feeling better. Riley looked beautiful in her bright
orange dress and by the looks of all her curls, I could tell Sienna
had her hands in Riley’s hair.

Sophia had joined us with Kyle as her date. He looked
incredible in a tux. He looked just like he did the day we went to
prom. The only difference was now he had a glow to him, one that
only I could see. “Hi,” I said.

“Ella, you look…beautiful.”

“Thank you. You don’t look too bad yourself,” I said,
adjusting his tie for him.

He blushed slightly. “Thanks.” I smiled at him
feeling my cheeks get hot. I was about to walk away when he stepped
in front of me. “Hey…I’m sorry about the way I acted at the
party.”

“Hey, don’t worry about it. Friends fight, it
happens.”

“Friends, yeah,” he smiled, but it didn’t reach his
eyes.

I quickly turned to Sophia wanting to avoid the
awkwardness. “Love the dress.”

“Thanks,” she cheered. “Sienna let me borrow it.”

“It suits you perfect. You guys can help yourselves
to anything. If you’ll excuse me,” I said, making my way over to
the door, but Kyle grabbed my arm to stop me.

“Save me a dance?”

I relaxed and smiled. “Yeah, I can do that.” He
squeezed my arm once before he let go and this time his smile was
genuine.

Sienna showed up with Reagan and then finally Lucas
and Roman. “Wow, how did I get so lucky to have the prettiest girl
in the room as my date?” Roman gloated.

I stifled an eye roll. “Maybe it’s because I’m so
nice I took pity on you.”

“Ha-ha,” he said, placing a gentle kiss on my
lips.

“Dude, if you’re going to date my sister how about
keeping your hands to yourself when I’m around.”

“Dean, get over it already.”

“Gladly,” he said, taking a sip of my drink.

“What is Mackenzie doing here?” I scoffed. She stood
in the doorway looking disgusted. Like she couldn’t believe she was
subjecting herself to this kind of torture.

“
She’s my date and before you start I asked her
because I wanted to. It has nothing to do with your twisted plan so
save it,”
Dean projected, walking over to Mackenzie and
offering her a drink.

I couldn’t believe Dean asked her to be his date. Of
all people he could have gone with, why her? He could have taken
anyone. “Whoa, who pissed you off?” Roman asked, wrapping his arms
around me.

“You really have to ask?” I said, looking in the
direction of Mackenzie.

“Don’t let her ruin your night.”

“I can’t believe Dean asked her. What was he
thinking?” I said, fuming.

“Ella, it’s Dean, he doesn’t think.”

“But that…”

Roman turned me to face him. “Ella, calm down. Let’s
not let Mackenzie ruin tonight. Tonight it’s just you and me,” he
said, pressing his lips to mine and pushing away any unwelcomed
anxiety I was feeling a moment ago.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

“For what?” he asked.

“For being you,” I smiled, laying my head on his
chest and slipping my arms around his waist. I caught a glimpse of
Dean who was seething in the corner. I rolled my eyes at him.
Seriously, sometimes I swear he was worse than our dad. I felt
prying eyes and I shifted slightly to see Kyle standing not far
behind us. His lips were pulled into a tight line and I knew he had
just witnessed the kiss between Roman and I. Josie, always the one
to step in when needed, latched her arm with Kyle’s and turned his
attention back to Sophia. Tonight was going to suck.

Once Dixon and Cassidy arrived, we decided to make a
toast before we headed to the dance. “To good friends and a good
night,” Roman saluted, holding his drink in the air. I looked
around the circle to see Lucas and Kyle watching me. I shifted my
eyes and caught Brennen staring as well. A cold chill ran down my
spine and I shivered.

My head sprung up and the door to my room blew open.
I seemed to be the only one to notice. I stepped out of the circle
and took a step toward the door. I looked out into the deep dark
hallway. I was being pulled closer and closer till I was at the
entrance of the door. I placed my hands on the paneling and peeked
out to the left. There was a figure standing not ten feet in front
of me. The glow from his eyes was what froze me in my spot. I
blinked and then he was gone.

A strange hand was placed on my shoulder making me
jump. “Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you,” Lucas said. “You
okay?”

“Yeah,” I lied.

“You seem spooked,” he replied.

“Just a little nervous. You know how we girls can
get,” I laughed uneasily.

“You’re not like most girls,” he smiled
charmingly.

“Ella, you ready?” Roman called.

“Yes.” I hurried back to him, threw my arms around
his neck, and kissed him with a passion. I ignored the giggles and
jeers and the projection from Dean
‘to get a room.’
” When I
pulled back his eyes were glazed and his cheeks were red. I smiled
and he blushed even more.

“What was that for?” he asked.

“Just because I love you.”

He smiled and bent down for another kiss. “Alright
you two, enough, or we’ll never make it out of here,” Cameron said,
breaking us up.

When we arrived, everyone was handed a mask to put on
before entering the newly renovated hall. Each mask was intricately
decorated and each one was different. Some were painted with
delicate designs while others were plastered with feathers, jewels,
and glitter.

Roman helped me tie on my mask and then waited while
two men dressed in all black and wore plain white masks opened the
door for us. We stepped into a fairytale. The celebration was known
for its decadence. It was a time to finish old business as we ready
for a period of rest, relaxation, and reflection. That was
something I could relate to.

The hall was decorated with gourds, pinecones, and
different colored leaves. Ivy stretched up and down the pillars
intertwined with tiny sparkling lights. Paper leaves fell slowly
from the ceiling, crowding the dance floor. Each table had a
colored bowl filled with apples and pomegranates, a tradition for
this day. Brown, gold, and orange colors filled the room.

Each student was allowed one glass of wine tonight to
celebrate. After the many drinks I already had in my room I thought
it best to sip mine slowly. The buffet style meal was filled with
breads, nuts, and vegetables, another tradition for this night.

With a group as large as ours, we occupied a few
tables in the back and before we knew it the celebration was in
full swing. “May I have this dance?” Roman bowed.

“Why yes kind sir,” I curtsied as he extended his
arm.

Roman could dance when there weren’t certain steps
involved. He claimed it was easier because when we danced together
I took all of his concentration. He said admiring me and
remembering what step to take next at the same time was too hard. I
just shook my head and rested it on his shoulder. “May I cut in?”
Lucas interrupted.

Roman looked to me for an answer. I wanted to run
away screaming, but he took the look on my face as if I was saying
he needed to be nice. “Sure,” he said, moving to swap places with
Josie.

“Shall we,” Lucas extended his arm.

I hesitated. “As long as we stay here,” I said,
trying to catch him off guard and hoping he’d slip up and admit he
knew what I was talking about.

“Did you ever think that maybe you were so caught up
in the moment that your mind took you to another place,” he said,
sweeping me in his arms and guiding me across the dance floor,
leaving me no choice but to follow his lead. “Ella, I’m not the bad
guy.”

“I never –”

“You don’t have to say it. I can see it in your eyes.
The way you look at me and how you pull away when I’m near.” He
spun me away and then pulled me back gripping my waist tight. My
breath caught and the song ended. “Thank you for the dance,” he
bowed, kissing my hand. I was left standing on the dance floor
completely lost.

My attention was then focused on the sudden yelling
over by our table. I glanced over to see Cameron and Austin
arguing. I made my way over to check things out. “You’re a dick! I
trusted you!” Cameron yelled.

“Well maybe you shouldn’t have run off to Ireland to
have a fling,” Austin spat back.

“For the last time, I went to Ireland to help Ella,”
Cameron said, on the verge of tears. “I wasn’t the one who cheated.
You did!”

Whoa, that was new.

“I only cheated because you did first.”

“For the last time. I didn’t sleep with anyone in
Ireland!” Cameron yelled.

“Whatever, say what you want,” Austin said, convinced
he was right.

“Look Austin, I can assure you that Cameron did not
sleep with anyone while we were in Ireland,” I said, stepping in to
help my friend.

“Thank you Ella, but you don’t have to say anything.
Clearly he’s made up his mind.”

“That’s right. None of this would have happened if it
wasn’t for you,” Austin glared at me. “Birds of a feather flock
together.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked, glaring at
Austin.

“All you sluts are alike,” he spat with disgust.

Dean jumped out of his chair so fast it skidded
across the floor. Roman took a step forward and I put out my arm to
stop him while directing the other one at Dean to stay put. Cameron
stepped in front of Austin and stared him straight in the eye
before she dumped her drink all over his head and kneed him in the
groin. I gave him a take that look before she pulled me away.

“You ready, they’re about to start the dance,”
Cameron said. I looked at her not fully understanding. “Gee whiz
Ella, how much did you drink?”

I looked at her surprised at how calm she was after
what just happened. I wanted to ask if she was okay. I knew she was
putting on a fake façade to keep from falling apart. Then it hit
me. All the guilt, frustration, and pain she was feeling. She had
her guard down and I was able to reach inside her mind. Not that I
purposely invaded her head, it was practically screaming at me.
Guilt, embarrassment, anger, and sadness, and then… “Oh my god! You
slept with Dean!” I almost shouted.

Cameron turned on me, eyes wide. She swallowed. “What
did you say?” she looked terrified.

“You slept with my brother!” I said, narrowing my
eyes at her. Not because she slept with Dean, but because she felt
the need to hide it from me.

“Shh, keep your voice down!” she said in a harsh
whisper.

“So it’s true. You cheated on Austin…with Dean?” It
was hard to get the words out.

“Yes…no.”

“So you lied.”

“No. I said I never slept with anyone in Ireland and
I didn’t.” She looked away.

“Then when…eww, at my house…that skank giggling in
his room was you? Oh Cam gross, just gross.” This whole thing was
very hard to stomach.

“Knock it off. You’re just saying that because he’s
your brother. He’s nothing like you think.”