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When I turn, I see her and Will Frank walking toward us. Will tries to keep his hand on her waist, but she hurries forward and takes my hands. His hand lowers awkwardly.

“You look stunning,” she yells to be heard over the music. She’s dressed in a short peach dress that nips in her small waist. Her long blond hair falls in soft waves down her back. Her eyes are bright and seem a little manic.

“You do too!” I smile, and something inside me relaxes. We’re at the high school. Nothing bad can happen in this gymnasium full of students. Teachers guard the punch bowl and line up along the side of the dance floor.

I see Coach Turner standing along the wall and Mr. Flack, who looks half asleep in a chair. But Mr. Wick is here too. It’s been weird since my mom went out with him that one night and she blew him up in front of us.

I don’t know if he really liked my mom or just had to plant something in our house. Probably to distract us from the other bugs that were planted.

“You clean up well, Luke.” Penny beams as she looks at her half-brother. Will stands behind her with his hands in his pockets, waiting patiently.

“You’ve got some place to stay tonight?” He tugs me back against his front and holds my hips possessively. Little sparks dance along my spine.

“Yeah. Planning on Natalie’s after wherever the afterparty is.” She smiles and it fades a little as she glances at her shadow, but there’s something else there. Like she’s almost nervous to be alone with him, but not because he’s a bad guy. Almost like she’s still trying to figure something out.

Will steps forward and holds out his hand to Luke. “Will Frank.”

Luke glances at his hand like Will just blew his nose into it. For fuck’s sake. I reach out and take Will’s hand.

“Nice to meet you, Will.” I ignore the low growl next to my ear and the tightening of Luke’s fingers into my hips as I shake Will’s hand and quickly release it. He’s dressed in a dark gray suit and has a peach tie on that matches Penny’s dress. He seems to be trying. And I don’t miss Penny’s eyes dipping down to check out Will’s ass while he’s not paying attention to her.

Will clears his throat and takes his hand back. “I’m just glad to finally have a date to the Homecoming dance.”

I grin because I totally understand that one. “Me too.”

Luke draws me tighter against him. I lean my head back against his chest and sigh. His warmth surrounds me, and I feel so safe. I love this part about being theirs.

“Where’s Kenz?” I ask Penny. I know they were planning to come together.

She turns and squints at the dance floor. “Over there somewhere. Brandon apparently loves to dance.”

More likely, my bestie loves to dance, and Brandon is humoring her because he loves her. That makes me so happy. I’m glad this time I get to be part of the festivities and I’m not just hearing about them over breakfast the next morning. Though I desperately miss our morning breakfasts.

“We should do breakfast tomorrow morning.” I glance back at Luke. “All of us.”

He raises an eyebrow.

“That sounds great!” Penny says. “I’ll let Kenz and Brandon know.”

Will shuffles awkwardly beside her. I want to include him, but not if it makes Penny uncomfortable. I don’t know what it is, but there’s something more than him liking her going on. Maybe as the night goes on, she’ll be more open to including him.

The song ends and the music changes to a slow song.

“May I have this dance?” Will holds his hand out to Penny.

Her eyes widen, and she looks to me for help, but I just smile softly. She sighs and turns to put her hand in his. A little shiver goes through her as he draws her close.

“Of course.” She looks at me over his shoulder with a help me look. It reminds me of how I tried to get away from the guys in the beginning. Even though I wanted them, I didn’t want to want them.

I shake my head. A dance won’t kill her.

Eli holds out his hand to me. “I believe this dance is mine.”

CHAPTER 12

The First Dance

Harper