Beautiful (20 page)

Walking up, I hit Jacob on the back and asked, “What’s up, Jacob?”

He looked between Skylar and me and finally said, “Not much.” Turning, he headed down the hall.

“Everything okay?” I asked.

With a nod, Skylar looked into my eyes. For the first time since I’d met her, she had something in her eyes that I’d never seen before—peace.

“I believe today is the day we spend at our spot.”

Grinning from ear to ear, I replied, “Indeed it is. You ready for our date?”

“Never been more ready,” she replied with a giggle.

Skylar

It had been a little over a month since Charlie’s confession. Things had slowly been getting back to normal. I hadn’t received any notes since that day Mitch had recorded Charlie. At school, people would say hi to me in the halls, and at work, they would come in and joke around with me. A few girls I used to cheer with had invited me to go hang out at the mall, which I’d politely turned down, opting to go to Austin with Michelle to look at prom dresses instead.

The only person who was still treating me like the plague was Jenny.

Glancing across the school parking lot, I saw her. She was laughing at something Jacob had said to her. When she looked at me, her smile faded, and she quickly glanced away.

We never could get her to confess to being the one who had sent out the pictures or who had left me all those notes. My parents had asked me how far we were going to go with everything. I’d told them all I wanted to do was move on, finish up school, and start over at college. They’d both agreed.

Smiling, I couldn’t help but think of how happy I had felt when my parents finally decided to let me go with Wyatt to Italy for a month after graduation. Somehow, Wyatt had sweet-talked them. Of course, it’d helped that Wyatt’s dad had promised them that he’d use all resources available to keep an eye on both of us.

Frowning, I wondered exactly what resources he had been talking about.

“Hey, what’s up, buttercup?” Michelle said, bumping into my shoulder.

“You sure are happy,” I said with a smile.

Michelle grinned from ear to ear. “Well, there’s a reason Mitch and I were both late this morning. With my parents out of town, things got a little…heated in the kitchen this morning when he picked me up.”

Snarling my lip, I replied, “Gross. I didn’t need to know that little bit of information.”

Laughing, she looked at me. “So…have you and Wyatt bumped uglies yet?”

Rolling my eyes, I shook my head. “You’re so romantic, do you know that? I see why you and Mitch are so perfect.”

“Oh, stop. You know you’re happy that I’m madly in love with your brother.”

She was right. I was happy for them both.

“To answer your question, we have not made love yet. Wyatt has been holding back, and I’m beginning to worry it has to do with what happened to me with Charlie.”

Michelle gasped. “Oh my gosh, Sky. You know that isn’t the reason. You’re crazy if you think that. With just one look, any fool could tell you that Wyatt is smitten with you. The boy has it bad. I don’t blame him for wanting to make your first time special. I mean…could y’all screw in the back of his truck? Yeah. But is that what you want?”

My mouth fell open as I stared at her. “Oh my gosh. Really? Screw in the back of his truck?”

“Well, it wouldn’t be making love. I mean, I guess it could be, but I don’t see that as very romantic for your first time. Do you?”

I shook my head. “No.”

She took me by the arm and pulled me over to a corner. “Have y’all at least fooled around?”

My face instantly felt warm.

Michelle smiled wide. “You have! I can’t believe you haven’t told me. Tell me, Sky! I’m your best friend.”

Quickly looking around, I chewed on my lip. “We’ve played a bit.”

She wiggled her eyebrows. “Hands or lips?”

“Ugh! Michelle!”

The warning bell rang for last period.

“What? It’s a reasonable question.”

“Hands, if you must know.”

She giggled and wrapped her arm around mine as we headed to our last class.

“Just think of how amazing it will be when y’all finally do make love. Poor Wyatt isn’t going to last two minutes.”

Covering my mouth, I giggled as we walked into class.

With all the sex talk Michelle and I’d had, I couldn’t keep my thoughts straight in class. I was beyond turned on, and I knew the moment I saw Wyatt, I’d be asking him to relieve my ache.

Once class was over, I stopped at my locker, I sighed. It wouldn’t be long now. Prom night was going to be the night. I knew Wyatt had made arrangements for us to stay at the cottage on Lake Marble Falls. I wasn’t sure how much longer I could wait before breaking down and begging him.

“A penny for your thoughts.”

I smiled as I felt his hot breath against my neck.
Shit, I want him so much.
I wasn’t sure I’d be able to take much more before I pleaded with him.

I closed my eyes and smiled. “Italy.”

He let out a laugh as he faced me. “I was thinking about it earlier. Have you picked up your prom dress yet?”

He wiggled his eyebrows and flashed me a wicked grin that caused the need between my legs to grow ten times stronger.

“Yes, I did. Michelle approved of the easy access of putting it on…and taking it off,” I said with a wink.

“I just about came in my pants,” Wyatt whispered.

Hitting him on the chest, I shook my head. “Stop that. Behave.”

“Nervous?”

I smiled as I tilted my head. “Nervous about what?”

“Dancing with me,” he replied with a smile.

“Terrified. Beyond terrified but excited.”

His smile slowly faded. “Sky, if you’re not ready—”

Shaking my head, I held up my hand. “Don’t, Wyatt. I want this so much. Please don’t doubt that.”

He leaned down and gently kissed me on the lips. “Your brother has threatened me at least ten times this week.”

Laughing, I looked over his shoulder at Mitch talking to Michelle. “You know, he and Michelle aren’t even showing up at the party, so he’s one to talk.”

Butterflies danced in my stomach with the look of love Wyatt was giving me. My heart dropped as he ran the back of his hand down my cheek.

“I promise to make it special for you, angel.”

Oh. My. God.

He was beyond perfect. I was just waiting for the floor to fall out from underneath me.

“Just being with you, Wyatt, is what’s going to make it so special.”

He closed his eyes and shook his head, as if fighting the same urge I was.

“What time should I pick you up tomorrow?”

“I guess around five. That way, our parents can take pictures.” I rolled my eyes.

I didn’t even want to go to the prom, but Wyatt had insisted. People would still look at me funny and whisper sometimes, but it was nothing like what it used to be. I honestly couldn’t wait to graduate and get the hell out of this town.

“Don’t even start thinking that you don’t want to go. I promise, angel, you’re going to have a wonderful time.”

With a shrug, I mumbled, “Yeah, we’ll see.”

I pushed him, and he lost his balance. He grabbed ahold of me and brought me down with him. We were soon both laughing, and tears were rolling down my face.

Yep, as long as Wyatt is with me, there isn’t anything I can’t do.

I was finally happy.

“Oh, Skylar, you look beautiful. One look at you, and that boy is going to be fighting like hell to keep his penis in his pants all night.”

“Mom!” I said with a giggle. “I can’t believe you even said that.”

She rolled her eyes. “Look at you!”

Peeking at myself in the mirror, I smiled. I knew she was right.

My hair was pulled up with a few ringlets hanging down to frame my face. The red fitted corset dress hugged my body perfectly. I had no doubt in my mind that Wyatt would be doing exactly what my mother had said.

“I’m not stupid, Sky. I’ve been in your shoes before. I know there is a strong possibility that something might…well, that something might happen between you and Wyatt tonight—if it hasn’t already.”

“Oh. My. Gosh. Mom! Really?”

She looked at me with that all-knowing look. “Just be careful, Skylar. Be sure. That’s all I ask of you. I know I’m one of those loosey-goosey mothers, but I’m keeping it real with you. I’m not going to sugarcoat it and pretend that kids don’t have sex before marriage. Hell…I didn’t wait. You’re eighteen, and I’m going to trust that you know what you’re doing. Now, your father, on the other hand…I’m pretty sure Wyatt will be scared to death by the time he walks out the door with you tonight. He might not even lay a hand on you all evening.”

Letting out a laugh, I hugged my mother. “I know you care. I promise, I’d never do anything I wasn’t ready to do. I do love him, Mom, more than anything.”

She smiled as she shook her head and sighed. “I know you do, and I know he loves you, too.” With a frown, she closed her eyes. “I’m also going to pretend like I haven’t seen your birth control pills…just like I pretend that I haven’t seen the giant box of condoms your brother has stashed in his closet.”

I busted out laughing.

Opening her eyes, she blew out a frustrated breath. “I’m glad you think it’s funny.”

The knock on the door had us both turning around.

Mitch smiled when he saw me and then whistled. “Wow, look at you, sis. Looking smoking hot. Dad told me to tell you that Wyatt’s here, and Michelle’s parents just pulled up with her. Ready for the fun part of pictures?”

With a moan, I turned and checked my makeup one more time. I smiled when I looked at my gray eyes. They were filled with happiness. Even I could see it.

“Ready? I’ll go down first. That way, I can see your father’s reaction when he sees you—and Wyatt’s, of course. Although I think your father is going to be much more entertaining for me.”

Turning to face my mother, I giggled and said, “Let’s do this.”

She and Mitch quickly headed out of my room and went downstairs.

I pulled in a cleansing deep breath and blew it out. I could hear my mother gushing over Michelle, and I couldn’t help but smile.

“Here we go,” I mumbled under my breath as I slowly made my way down the stairs and into the living room.

My breath hitched when I saw Wyatt in his tux.

Holy shit.

He looked handsome as hell. My breathing instantly picked up, and I didn’t see anyone else in the room but him. His dark hair and always sun-kissed skin looked amazing against the black tux. The touch of red in his bow tie was perfect.

When he turned to look at me, his smile faded, and his eyes grew bigger as they gazed over my body. He swallowed hard and looked back up into my eyes.

“Oh no,” my father said.

The room erupted in laughter. Apparently, Michelle’s father had said the same thing when she walked down from her room.

My father turned and said something to Wyatt, causing him to turn as white as a ghost.

If Dad scares him into not touching me, I swear to God…I’m going to hide his fishing poles for the rest of the summer.

Wyatt quickly recovered and walked up to me. Leaning over, he gently kissed me on the cheek. “You look stunning, absolutely beautiful.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” Wyatt’s mother, Alice, said. “Darling, you look beautiful.”

Wyatt’s father turned to my father. “I’m so glad I didn’t have a girl.”

Rolling his eyes, my father moaned. “Thanks, Joel. Thanks a lot.”

Everyone chuckled.

I couldn’t help but notice that Wyatt hadn’t taken his eyes off of me. My body trembled under his intense stare.

When we all headed outside, Wyatt leaned over and whispered in my ear, “I cannot wait to peel that dress off of you.”

My mouth parted open, and I was temporarily stupefied.

Michelle walked up to me and hugged me. “You look breathtaking, Sky.”

I took in Michelle’s stunning white dress. With the sweetheart neckline, I was sure my brother had forgotten his own name when he saw her. Her blonde hair was pulled up into a bun, and she looked gorgeous. We had both gone and gotten our hair and makeup done together, but our moms had wanted us to each be home to get dressed.

After we spent what seemed like forever taking pictures, we finally got ready to head out. I glanced over at my dad, who was giving Wyatt a dirty look, and then I turned to say good-bye to my mom and Wyatt’s parents.