Page 16 of Princess and Country

“So what?”

“Vanessa wasn’t the fastest car in the left lane, if you catch my quip.”

“Shut up, man. You’re not helping. It’s seven in the morning, for God’s sake.” I dragged my hands over my face.

“You’re better off without her. I’m glad she cheated on you. Well, not glad, but— Anyway, you’re better off.”

I sighed and threw a dishcloth at him. Straight in the chest. “Just stop talking for once.” My brother raised his hands in surrender.

“Fine. But don’t be a chicken today, big bro. You have to fulfill your destiny,” he said as he gulped orange juice straight from the carton. “The coin decided.”

“Yeah,” I said with a groan. I raked my fingers through my hair.

“You made a promise.”

“I know.” My tone was harsh. Carter stared at me with arched brows.

“Don’t overthink it, Jeff. It’s just prom, not a marriage proposal. Your face is grayish. If I didn’t know you better, I’d think you’re gonna barf your breakfast in the next minute.”

I pushed him as we crossed paths in the hallway.

“Don’t get on my nerves. I’m not in the mood.”

“Whatever you say,” Carter said, a wide grin lighting up his face and a glint in his eyes. He yelled, “Mom,” at the top of his lungs. “Jeff’s in lo—” I punched him in the stomach so that he’d keep his stupid mouth shut.

Carter bent over and rubbed his midsection with one hand, his smirk reaching his eyes. “No need to kill me over this, bro. Whoever the chick is, she’d be lucky to go to prom with you.”

I clenched my hands in my pockets and lowered my head, my chin pressed against my chest. “Thanks, man.” I swallowed hard. If only he knew. In just a few hours, I’d be the one rubbing that goofy smile off his face. Great. Just great.

* * *

After school, I loitered on my way back home. In desperate need to release the built-up energy inside me this morning, I ran to school. I knew the moment my feet would land on the kitchen floor, Carter would be all over me about asking that girl to prom. I stopped by Bryce’s to grab a strawberry milkshake. It was my go-to comfort food. Or drink. Whatever.

I strolled through Milwaukee Park, taking the detour around the large grassy patch that hosted a soccer field instead of the straight-through path leading to our street. I contoured the field where I played touch football with Brendan and a bunch of guys from school every weekend during summer break.

It was a beautiful day, and the sun, still shining high, erased some of my angst. Seated on a bench, I watched a mother duck and her three ducklings playing and diving under the water. The sight of them, so clueless about everything else in the world, brought a small smile to my lips.

But it didn’t last long.

On my left, my eyes caught a movement, and I swiveled my head in that direction. A girl, about twelve or thirteen years old, with long, wavy red hair was running after a beagle on a leash. The image of her red—hot as scorching lava—hair, flowing around her face acted like a clamp around my heart.

I tilted my head back and cursed.

Not thirsty anymore, I threw my milkshake into the nearest trashcan and ambled toward my house, my back curved forward, my hands deep in my pockets, the weight of the world sitting on my shoulders.

I made a promise to Carter, and I would honor it. And I would deal with the consequences afterward. Not smart. But was there a right way to do this? I was done being miserable. And I was confident Dahlia felt something for me too.

I entered the house from the back door. The chatter coming from the kitchen stopped me in my tracks. Dahlia’s clear as crystal laughter made my heart beat faster. It sent a shot of adrenaline through my bloodstream.

On my tiptoes, I ventured upstairs without a sound but failed to make it further up when my mom noticed me from where she stood.

“Hey, Jeffrey, you’re home. Are you joining us for dinner?”

I cringed. This was the moment.

I could make it awkward or just hold my chin up, rip the Band-Aid off, and stop worrying about it.

“Sure, I’ll be there in a sec.”