Chapter 19

Chapter Nineteen

Nova

Waylen whistles and claps as I descend the stairs in my dress. He looks handsome with his curly hair tamed with product and his face clean shaven. I stole a tux from Nexus’ closet for him and he fills it out better than that snake ever could. I found a black dress when I went with Vivian, it's a simple black silk gown with an open back and crisscross straps in the back, exposing a lot more skin than I normally do. The front has a plunging neckline, exposing the sides of my ample chest.

“You look fucking beautiful, babe,” Waylen says as he meets me at the base of the steps and places a kiss to my cheek. I smile up at my best friend and my heart swells, I wouldn’t be where I am today without him or Mom. Waylen is my rock and my partner in crime. He smirks and pushes my long raven hair over my shoulder. I chose to wear it straight and left it loose tonight. My makeup is simple and just enough to add some color to my cheeks and a bit of mascara to make my eyes pop but nothing too serious.

“You don’t clean up too bad yourself.” He laughs and steps back, turning a circle for me to take him in. It’s true, he looks fucking beautiful. Waylen isn’t like most guys who know they look hot. He really doesn’t see his own beauty and that just adds to his sexiness. Unfortunately for me, I may be able to appreciate his beauty but it doesn’t get my libido ticking.

He offers me his arm and I take it as he leads us out the front door to my car. Unlike all the other kids who I’m sure will be arriving in a limo, I chose to drive us. Mom did offer to spring for a limo saying Thomas wouldn’t mind but I declined, taking anything from him feels… wrong right now. I’m anxious for her to get home tomorrow, I just need her close so if this shit does go wrong at least she is close and safe.

As we cross the drive I come to a halt at the sound of Vivian calling out my name. I turn around and smile at the beauty rushing toward me in her yellow gown. She looks fucking radiant. Her long train trails behind her, her black hair is done up in some fancy updo with a few curls loose that frame her face. Her blue eyes are alight with happiness when she comes to a stop before us. She looks us both over, smiling her approval.

“You both look edible!” Waylen and I both laugh.

“You look gorgeous,” Way says kindly.

“And you look like you’re going to need a new set of fucking teeth.” I dart my gaze over Vivi’s shoulder to see Vox, Ezekiel, Hayze and Archer standing there, glaring at my best friend. Vivian steps to the side and instantly Vox’s gaze cuts to me. I fight the urge to fidget under the pressure of his perusal of me. I watch him swallow and immediately heat internally when his gaze meets mine and I see lust in the depths of his blue eyes. Vox in his daily clothes is hot but Vox Hatchett in a tux with his tattoos peeking out of the collar and his inked hands on display is a fucking weapon.

“Calm down, man, it was a compliment,” Waylen says, breaking the spell I was under. Vox shakes his head and masks his emotions as he turns his focus back to Waylen. He opens his mouth to say something but snaps it closed when two women dart in front of them and come toward us. I know one of them is Vox and Vivian’s mom, Jane, but I have no idea who the other woman is. She is clutching Mrs. Hatchett’s arm like it’s a life line, her eyes are filled with tears. I look to either side of me to find both my friends look just as confused as me. Vox and the other’s creep forward as the women come to a halt before me.

“Are you okay?” I ask the woman, she sniffs and smiles nodding her head.

“I’m Olivia… Tempest.” My brows furrow. I cut a glance to Ezekiel who is standing stoically behind the woman, looking uneasy. I turn back to the woman and smile.

“I’m Nova and this is my friend Waylen.” The woman nods but doesn’t take her eyes off me.

“It’s so nice to meet you, Nova,” she whispers as more tears cloud her eyes. I cock my head to the side feeling awkward.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” I ask.

She nods and quickly wipes her eyes, she tries to hide her tears but fails. “You must take some photos,” she says, trying to sound cheerful.

“Mom, she has her own family to do that shit with, why?—”

Olivia cuts Ezekiel off. “Enough! Nova and her friend will take photos, won’t you?” I shoot Ez a look imploring him to help me but the asshole just huffs and looks away, leaving me no choice but to smile and agree to the woman’s terms. Waylen is a good sport and doesn’t complain as we cross the lawn to stand in front of Vox's house. Their mothers position us how they want us but when they step back and ready their phones, Jane calls for Waylen to switch with Vox. I nearly choke on my own spit when Vox shoulders Waylen from behind and claims his place. I shoot my best friend an apologetic look, as he stands beside Vox.

My breath hitches when Vox wraps an arm around my front and pulls me back until I am flush against his chest. I gasp just as they begin snapping photos. The moms tell us which way to look and turn but the whole time Vox never takes his hands off me. I’m starting to feel overwhelmed and the need to get the fuck out of here is strong. Just as I’m about to say we have to go, Olivia speaks up.

“Ezekiel, I want a picture of you and Nova.” Both Ez and I snap our heads toward his mother utterly at a loss for words.

“Why?” he grits out.

His mother narrows her eyes. “Do as you’re told,” she scolds, then looks at me with a smile. “You don’t mind, do you?” I open my mouth to refuse her but to my horror no words come out and I just nod. I shift to free myself of Vox’s hold but he doesn’t release me. I look up at him over my shoulder only to find him glaring at his best friend.

“I’m gonna need you to let go now, Voxy.” He keeps his glare pointed at Ezekiel as he reluctantly releases me. I force myself not to read too much into whatever the fuck that was as I walk toward Ezekiel stiffly. Out of the four of them, he is the one I genuinely fear as there is a darkness that clings to him. I stand beside him, keeping a body space between us. To his defense he looks just as awkward as I do. His mother purses her lips and looks disapprovingly at us.

“Come on, you can do better than that.” Both of us sigh and take a step closer to the other but there is still space which his mother clearly doesn’t like. “Ezekiel, wrap your arm around her.” My eyes widen in horror, I can feel Vox glaring at the both of us and it takes everything inside me not to turn on him and tell him that none of this is my fault.

“Fuck,” Ez grits out, then closes the space between us. When his arm comes around my back, I tense and hold my breath.

“Smile,” Olivia calls out.

“Take the freaking photo, Mom!” Ezekiel snaps. She doesn’t argue as she snaps a few pics. The second she lowers her camera, I tear free of his hold and rush to Waylen, grabbing his hand and dragging him to my car as I call out my goodbyes. The second we are inside the car I still don’t relax, until we are out of the driveway and halfway down the street.

“What the fuck was that?”

I shake my head. “I have no idea,” I answer truthfully.

“Why the fuck did his mom want a picture of just the two of you?”

I shoot Waylen a perplexed look that has his face softening. “I have no idea. I have never met her before and it's not like me and Ezekiel are even friends.”

“Does she know your mom?” I shake my head again. “Maybe try calling your mom and ask her.”

“I tried calling her last night, this morning and while I was getting ready but she hasn’t called me since Friday morning,” I admit bitterly. I know I said I was fine with Mom being away and everything but I never thought she wouldn’t call. This is my first dance and I guess a part of me had hoped she would come home and surprise me.

“Oh, that’s not like her.” I nod my agreement. Waylen knows my mom is a helicopter mom and is always there and wanting to know everything and to make sure I am okay. I’ve never gone this long without speaking to her. Waylen reaches over and places his hand on top of mine. “Hey, let her have this time to enjoy herself.”

I force a smile to my face and nod but I can’t shake this feeling that something is wrong. It’s not like her to not call or even text. She always checks in and makes sure I have eaten. It’s stupid, I’m turning eighteen soon and I shouldn’t need my mom to check in on me but… I do.

“Come on, get out of your head. We have a couple of hours of fun before the doom and gloom looms over us.” I can’t help the laughter that bursts out of me. “What?” I can hear the mirth in his tone.

“Doom, gloom and loom, seriously?” Waylen’s boisterous laughter sounds out and I can’t help but join him, he always knows how to get me out of a funk and make me smile without even trying.

“Babe, we have the rest of the night to be angry and scared out of our minds but for right now, let’s have this moment of teenage fun and enjoy this stupid dance. If I have to feel like a penguin for a few hours the least you can do is smile and enjoy my torment with me.”

“Deal!” I concede. He’s right. The least I can do is try to have fun before we go in search of the Filthy Few and ask the favor that will cost me my freedom.