“He’s not worth it, Ari. Don’t cry over him.”
Her voice shook as she said, “I know that. I’m not crying about him.”
She closed her eyes, and that gave me the courage to blurt out my next sentence.
“I’ll go with you. To prom.”
Snapping her eyes open, she went to say something, then stopped herself.
I wasn’t sure how long we stared at each other before she pulled her head out of my embrace and laughed.
“Sure. How great would it be to show up to prom with my best friend’s brother, who thinks of me like his little sister? I’m sure every girl who has ever hated me at one point in my life would love that.”
The way she stressed little sister made my stomach lurch.
“Ari,” I whispered.
She spun around and faced away from me. “Go, Jeff. Will you just go? Please.”
Standing, I took a few steps back, waiting to see if she would change her mind and spin around with a huge smile on her face, in love with the idea of me taking her to prom.
Instead, she sat there. Silently pleading with me to leave. It tore my heart into a million fucking pieces.
I turned and walked away. When I got to my truck, I glanced back in time to see Ari watching me . . . and wiping a tear from her cheek.
Everything inside of me yelled to go back to her. Tell her how I really felt about her. But I didn’t. I was too afraid of the unknown.
I got in my truck. Started it and drove off.
Dropping the weights, I let them bang against the floor. Everyone turned and glared at me.
&n
bsp; “Sorry,” I said, holding my hands up in defense. “I know . . . don’t drop the weights.”
Gunner eyed me with suspicion. “What’s going on with you? You act like you want to tear someone’s head off.”
I shook my head. “It’s nothing. I think I’m going to head to Hyde Park gym, go a couple of rounds with Billy.”
“Now I know something’s wrong.”
“It’s been a long week, and I need to let out some steam. I’m ready for this school year to be over.”
With a nod, Gunner continued to stare at me.
“You’re creeping me out, dude. Stop staring at me.”
“I will when you tell me what’s bothering you.”
With a frustrated groan, I pushed my hands through my hair.
“Tonight is Ellie’s prom, and I’m just worried about the dick she’s dating. I caught up with him yesterday and threatened his fucking life if he tried anything with her.”
Gunner laughed. “Did he believe you?”
“He sure as fuck better. I told him I’ll be waiting for him with a few of my friends when he drops Ellie off after prom. So I’m going to need you to go with me later tonight so he knows I wasn’t bluffing.”
His jaw fell open. “You’re serious?”