By the time we wake up, the sun is shining brightly into the room. It was overcast and gloomy this morning which matched the mood perfectly.
One glance at the clock and I sit up straight in bed, Trent groaning next to me.
“It’s one in the afternoon! We’ve been asleep for four hours.”
He grumbles and rolls over, throwing his arm over his eyes as he mumbles something along the lines of “five more minutes.” It’s hard to make clearly as my mind is still sort of fuzzy from the deep sleep I apparently fell into.
Who knew that without kids around sleep could actually be achieved? Let alone in the middle of the day. I can’t remember the last time I’ve had a nap, let alone a peaceful one. Not even the last time I was sick.
I flop back to the bed and stare at the ceiling for a minute. Then I jolt straight back up.
The kids. I haven’t spoken to them or Becca in almost twenty-four hours. Some mother I am, I forgot all about them.
Scrambling off the bed, I fly to the table where I dropped my purse last night and rifle through it until I find my phone. Thankfully there are no missed calls or text messages which means there’s no emergencies. That’s the only reason Becca would call. If somebody was bleeding, dying, or puking. She doesn’t do bodily fluids.
With a calming breath, I step out into the seemingly quiet hallway and allow Trent to sleep.
He’s going to need it.
Chapter 26
Twelve Years Ago
TheInnissobeautifully decorated with red and gold streamers and balloons that it nearly takes my breath away. The little I have left from the butterflies doing cartwheels in my stomach that is.
It’s finally prom night, and my arm is linked through Trent’s as we walk into the ballroom. He’s looking incredible in his tux, and I just hope I can measure up even a little bit. I’m a sophomore at the senior prom.
My dress is a red sheath that makes my hair pop. Trent said I looked incredible, but that’s basically his job.
“You ready, baby?” I still get flutters in my chest when he calls me baby, and we’ve been dating for months.
“I think so. As ready as I’ll ever be I guess.”
“You look stunning. Who cares that you’re a sophomore. You’re basically a junior now anyway. And smart enough to be a senior.” He rests his hand over mine and squeezes my fingers.
With a deep breath from both of us, we walk further into the ballroom where the others are gathered. Trent has told a few friends about me, we’ve all hung out, but mostly I’m his dirty little secret.
It feels tantalizing in a lot of ways, that we’re doing something wrong even though we’re not. Part of the hesitation to tell people was me wanting to keep things a little more hush hush because of howIwould be perceived. Dating the star quarterback, a senior no less. That can paint a girl in a unique light. Especially when she’s a few years younger than said quarterback.
He leads us over to his group of friends, clapping Sean on the shoulder who turns with a wide smile. They then proceed to do that weird brohug thing that I’ve never understood.
“Leslie, you look perfect and stunning, as always.” Sean’s always been quick to compliment me and can be a little overly friendly. I’ve told Trent about it, and he said Sean would bend over backward to be the one dating me.
I never believe him, but Trent always says I’m more of a catch than I realize.
The music is so loud that Sean had to lean in for me to hear him and he lingered longer than acceptable, which Trent notices and clears his throat. He throws his arm over my shoulder and pulls me into his side, kissing the top of my head.
“Let’s dance,” he murmurs against my temple.
Without giving me a chance to answer, he takes my hand in his and leads me to the dance floor, twirling me around and pulling me into him. I crash into his chest and giggle as he mouths the words to the rap song that’s currently playing.
We don’t have the same taste in music. Where he leans more into rap and R&B, I lean more toward rock and emo.
I can’t stop laughing as he holds me with one arm around my waist and the other with our hands entwined in the air. We’re basically slow dancing to a fast song. My cheeks flush as I feel ridiculous.
But I’m with Trent, and he can do no wrong in the eyes of most of the people in the school. If he wants to slow dance, he’s going to. And nobody will be able to tell him he shouldn’t or laugh at him.
Chapter 27
