Epilogue

I fidgetwith my bowtie in the mirror, taking a slow breath and trying to still my shaking hands. My eyes dart up in the mirror, inspecting the curls in the back of my head to be sure they’re still subdued by the jarful of product Mom helped me comb through earlier. I take a step back, twisting to take in my outfit.

My white shirt is tucked into my black slacks, and the suspenders mom bought me have gold buckles clipping them into place. The tie is a dark teal, matching the boutonniere sitting on my dresser waiting for me to pin it on Cam. The shiny black shoes I borrowed from Dad squeak as I shuffle nervously in place, trying to keep my breathing steady as my mind whirls.

Is this a mistake? What if I look silly? What if Cam takes one look at me and changes his mind? What if we walk in there and it’s some kind of setup, like that movie with the girl and the bucket of pig’s blood? God, I would just-

A knock at the door bumps me off my train of thought, and I jump as I turn to look. Cam’s shadow fidgets in front of the door, rocking from side to side, and I can’t stop the smile that slips past my nerves. I swipe the flower off the counter and nearly run to the front door, pausing to clear my throat and brace myself before I open the door.

I’ve seen Camden Holt in many things. I’ve seen him in costumes and football uniforms, in band tees and Sunday best, and (most notably for me) I’ve seen him in his underwear, but none of that compares to the way he makes me feel when I open that door and see him dressed for the Homecoming dance. My eyes start their slow ascent at his shoes, black like mine, then up the charcoal gray pants that hug his thighs to the matching vest buttoned over his white shirt. His tie is burnt orange, expertly knotted at his throat and tucked down into the vest, and his hair is neatly styled in a way that makes me immediately want to run my fingers through it and destroy it. His good arm rises to adjust the knot, the white shirt sleeve pushed up to his elbows to match the one gathered at the end of his black hard cast. When we make eye contact Cam grins at my shameless perusal, and a hint of a blush rises across my cheeks as I clear my throat.

“You look so handsome,” I manage in a voice just slightly deeper than my normal timbre.

“Thanks,” he murmurs back, taking a step closer.

“You both look great,” Mr. Holt chuckles from behind him, breaking the spell as he steps to the side and raises a camera. “Y’all ready to take some pictures?”

“Oh, right, yeah,” I shake the flower in my hand. “I got you this.”

“Wait!” Mom calls, running in while pulling her second shoe on. “Don’t you touch that! Go outside, by the tree!”

“Mom,” I groan. “Really?”

“Scoot!”

I roll my eyes, but can’t help but smile when I take in Cam’s grin. We shuffle out the door and down the porch steps to the oak tree in the front yard. Mom and Mr. Holt beam proudly, pulling up their cameras. Behind them, Dad and Beth step out of the house to watch. Beth’s hair and makeup are impeccable, in contrast with her sweatpants and zip up jacket, running behind as always.

She’s wasting time out here watching us, she better hope Casey gets here late…

They grin as we’re directed into one pose after another, standing next to each other, one in front of the other, now Cam’s arm around my shoulder, then the endless clicking of the camera’s lens as I pin the flower to his shirt (No, not like that! Slow down, let us see! Elliot, stop it, come on, you’ll be glad you have these later…) until I rest my hand flat on his chest and smile up at him. Camden reaches around into his pocket, and I laugh in surprised delight as he presents me with a paper flower that matches the color of his tie. I help him fix it to my chest, shaking my head at the incessant clicking from over his shoulder as my hand rests over his and I glance up to look at Cam’s handsome face, which is absolutely golden in the light of the setting sun.

As much as we groan and roll our eyes, I know I’m going to love looking back at these pictures. I love that we’re here, now, taking them in front of our family as a couple, and that our parents are smiling all the way to their eyes… I love that my best friend is here, that we’re going to the Homecoming dance together. He beams down at me, and I feel the warmth like I’m staring into the sun itself. From the porch, Beth clears her throat. I take a step back, blushing slightly, but Cam tugs me back close with his good arm and plants his lips firmly on mine, cutting off the laugh bubbling up in me, until his dad clears his throat to our right.

“You boys ready to head out?”

“Sure,” I laugh, tugging Cam’s tie as he releases me.

I look up to see mom ushering Beth back inside to finish getting ready, dad taking her place with the camera as we cross over to the street where Glory waits for us. Suddenly, it occurs to me that Cam can’t drive with his arm… All week Casey or Mr. Holt have driven us to school, and my dad or Casey gave us a lift home.

“Uh,” I scratch the back of my neck. “Who’s driving us?”

“You are,” Cam snorts, tossing me the keys from his back pocket.

“Me?!” I flinch as my voice cracks, betraying my panic at that statement as I fumble not to drop the metal tags that seemed so innocent moments ago.

“Camden said you know how to drive a standard,” Mr. Holt raises an eyebrow. “Right?”

“Well, uh,” I flush, remembering the rabbit. “Yeah, I do.”

“Great!” Dad claps me on the shoulder, smiling proudly. “Then you boys go, have fun. I love you.”

“I love you too, dad…”

I wrap my arms around him, squeezing him in a hug before stepping to the side and opening the door for my boyfriend. Cam grins wider (which I didn’t really think was possible) and steps into the cab, carefully doing the buckle as I close the door and cross to the other side. With some finagling we get the window rolled down and wave to our dads, who are still clicking away with their cameras.

“Be safe,” Mr. Holt smiles. “Have fun… I’ll see you home at ten.”

“Kyle,” my dad admonishes, folding his arms and raising his eyebrows comically. “Ten? Really?”

“Thirty,” he begrudgingly mutters, and Dad shakes his head with a smile.

“I’ll have him home, Mr. Holt,” I say quickly, intervening before he can push our luck for us. “Bye!”

With a hard swallow, I disengage the parking brake and we start off at a slow pace. Cam looks like he’s biting back comments from the passenger seat, especially when I stop at the intersection to head down Main Street and the truck chokes to a halt. I sigh heavily, trying a few times before I get her going again, but his smile never falters as we make our way down the road.

“I kind of like having a chauffeur,” he comments loftily. “Is this what it’s always like for you? I could get used to this…”

“Don’t,” I say firmly, earning a laugh. “As soon as your arm’s better I’m back to being a passenger princess.”

“Is that right?” Cam laughs again.

“Yeah, it is, actually.”

We sit in silence, my focus on the driving as we navigate the turn onto Main Street and a few stoplights before we turn onto the highway.

“You’re doing a great job,” Cam comments as we pick up speed. “Step on the clutch, and shift it up a gear… Beautiful.” He beams at me. “I’m really proud of you.”

“Thanks,” I murmur, smiling to myself but keeping my eyes on the road.

Everything goes smoothly, until we rise over the hill just before the turn into the school parking lot. A tickle of unease starts up my spine as I register that I’m going to have to slow to a near stop to complete the turn, and I’m not sure how that’s going to go… Swallowing hard, my hand tenses on the shifter and I sit a little straighter in the seat. My descent down the hill is going alright, truck shuddering only slightly as I reduce in speed, but the closer I get to the gates the harder my stomach clenches… I push a little harder on the brakes, slowing further to safely make the corner, but it’s too much.

With a groan and a jolt, the engine stalls and Glory stops just before the entrance. A flush covers my face and neck as the vehicles behind me brake hard, and I scramble to get her started again. We ease into the lot, making our way to the front of the school and pulling her through to park in our regular spot. I engage the parking brake, sitting back in my seat with a huff before turning to face my boyfriend, who has been suspiciously silent through this ordeal… I raise an eyebrow, noting the tears welling in the corners of his eyes from the effort of keeping a straight face.

“Nice parking job,” he comments, glancing out the window. “And you only stalled out twice!”

“Shut up, Holt,” I roll my eyes, smiling despite myself as his laugh finally booms through the dark cab of the truck.

“No, really! You did a good job.” Cam’s laughter phases out. “Do you remember when I taught you to drive a stick?”

“Of course I do,” I laugh, tilting my head against the back window. “It scarred me for life, pretty sure I will never forget that day, jerk.”

“Me either,” he grins, sighing happily as he rests his left hand in mine. “I was so in love with you.”

“You were?” I nearly whisper. Cam nods.

“Hopelessly.”

“I love you, too.” Our lips meet in the middle of the cab, foreheads drifting together as we smile. “I think I always did. I’m sorry it took me so long to realize it.”

“You were worth waiting for.” He smiles, blue eyes crinkling and drawing me in even as he leans back. “Come on, Graves… I was promised a dance.”

I step out of the truck and cross quickly to the passenger side, opening Cam’s door for him and offering a hand to help him out. The fingers of his left hand intertwine with mine, and I squeeze as we wind our way through the parking lot. We’re nearly to the doors when a flash of red catches my eye, and we slow to wait for Casey to park and catch up. I hear the heavy clunk of her heels on the pavement and turn, taking her in with a smile.

She’s wearing a dress covered completely in sequins that start out silver on the strapless bust and fade seamlessly into shades of blue, ending in a deep navy that sheathes tightly around her thighs. Her silver heels are giving her an extra six inches of height, and it should be no surprise to anyone that she looks absolutely stunning. What I am surprised to see is that there’s only one set of heels in front of me. Where I’d expected to see my sister, instead she’s standing next to Colton Harrel.

“Hey,” I nod to Colton, who looks a little nervous despite my smile. “You guys look great… but, Case, I thought you were coming with Beth?”

“I was going to,” she hooks her elbow into Harrel’s and smiles at him. “But Colt asked me Saturday, after the game.”

“I figured it was officially okay,” he flushes, scratching the back of his head. “You know, since you’re dating someone…”

“Yeah,” I laugh. “You’re good, man. But, uh, I just didn’t realize Beth was going to be alone…” I frown, concern for my little sister coloring my voice. “We should have brought her with us, Cam…”

“I didn’t say she was alone,” Casey grins in that way that never means anything good.

I open my mouth to ask what she means, but I’m distracted by the arrival of Samson’s lifted black Chevy growling as he rolls through the lot to a parking space near the front row. Casey’s smile only widens, and my eyes narrow in suspicion as I watch Mike park and hop out of the driver’s side, crossing around the front to open the passenger door for his date. A sigh of resignation crosses my lips as Beth’s silver Converse slip into view, and Cam wraps his arms around my shoulders with a chuckle.

Beth steps around the edge of the door, the flared skirt of her emerald green dress twirling slightly around the tops of her knees as she turns to smile up at Mike. He grins back as he shuts the door, putting an arm around her and resting his palm on her bare back. She looks beautiful… I cast a warning look to Samson as they approach, until Beth notices me and shoots me a glare that has me swallowing hard and shifting slightly behind my boyfriend.

“This is new,” Cam laughs, offering Samson his good hand for a clapping shake before dropping it to take mine. “You guys look great.”

“I know,” Beth spins, giggling and smoothing down her skirts.

“You’re beautiful, Bethie.” I smile, nodding to my captain. “Let’s go inside, yeah?”

As we walk into the entrance I position myself next to Mike, leaning over to warn him in a low tone that I’ll be watching him with my baby sister this evening. My mouth is hardly open, however, when a sharp elbow to my gut steals my breath… I bend over, gasping for air, as my tiny evil sister glides innocently past, hooking her arm into her date’s to urge him to the photo station.

“Oh, Elliott,” Casey titters, not even trying to hide her glee. “When will you learn that Beth isn’t the one who needs looking after?”

“Did you see that?” I demand to Camden as Casey pulls Harrel over to join Beth and Samson. “I’ve been assaulted!”

“My poor baby,” Cam laughs, rubbing my side with his thumb and kissing the back of my neck as he whispers. “I’ll protect you from that mean girl…”

“You’re on their side!” I gasp dramatically, my jaw dropping even as I melt back against Cam’s chest as his chuckle rumbles through me. “Maybe we should just leave, sneak away, so no one else can pick on me…”

My tone is joking, but there’s a part of me that thinks this might be a very very good idea… Visions of pig’s blood raining over us, of people pointing and laughing, of the lights going out, rough hands on my arms, flashing through my mind one after the other, and then- Cam’s good hand smooths over my shoulders as he turns to stand in front of me, ducking to look me in the eyes.

“I love you.” Cam says, as if it’s the answer to life’s questions.

“I love you too,” I smile, biting my lip, and stand a little straighter. Cam nods, and we follow the rest of our impromptu group to the backdrop.

We’re directed to stand in pairs, then as a group, we take photos as couples and I grab Beth and pull her closer as she squeals and laughs a protest for a photo of the two of us for our parents, until we’re all laughing and pushing each other off the carpeted walkway and closer to the gym where music pulses through the open doors. I stand to Cam’s left, holding tightly onto his hand as we make our way closer.

“Hey,” Cam leans down, speaking close to my ear in a low voice. “If you need to go, we will. Anytime. Just, let’s give it a chance?”

I nod, squeezing tightly again, but unable to speak past the knot in my throat. We walk together into the room, past smiling teachers who nod and usher us in, and my eyes widen as I look around. They’ve really outdone themselves this year, transforming the gym into a beautiful dance hall with streamers and lights all around. Balloons float around the floor and hang on the wall, drifting as people walk through like bubbles in some fantasy world. Casey tugs us along to the side where a table is set up for refreshments, and we all pour an inch into clear cups and find a spot on the wall away from the chaos.

Everyone in the school must be here, smiling and dancing. They look like they’re laughing, but the music is just loud enough I can barely make out the sound. I feel myself relaxing, shifting in place to the beat. Before long people start to drop by, slapping Camden’s good hand and leaning in close to ask him how he’s feeling. He rests his left arm around my shoulders, pulling me against him as he chats with a couple of senior boys he knows from Music Appreciation, and I start to tense… But they just smile and nod, laughing at what he’s saying before peeling off to return to their dates.

The beat shifts into the next song, and my jaw drops as I spin to face Camden.

“I love this song!” I laugh, drifting into the light in his eyes.

“I know!” Cam grins. “Let’s go dance.”

For a beat I consider declining, but as Jake Wesley Rogers begins to sing I stand a little taller and pull him along. Beth and Mike notice and join in, and I laugh as she grabs Casey’s arm and pulls her so off-balance she nearly spills her drink. Colton catches her hand with a grin, steadying her cup as he shimmies along and before I know it we’re in the middle of the floor surrounded by our friends and classmates. Teacher monitors shift around the floor, smiling as they watch us dance before turning to make sure no one is having too much fun tonight.

Lights flash in the dark gymnasium, strobes of yellow and pink and blue coating the smiles of my friends as we dance and sing. My boyfriend reaches for my waist, pulling me closer to him and resting his hand on my right hip as I drape my arms over his shoulders and sing up at him. A slow smile spreads across his face as he leans closer, and I feel the spray of lights over my closed eyelids as his lips touch mine…

And just like that we’re dancing, and kissing. In public.

And it’s just like all the movies said it would be.