Chapter 51

“Honey, Carter’s here!”
I hear Mom calling up the stairs, announcing Carter’s arrival. My tummy flutters with nerves as I spin sideways, watching the swish of my dress.
“Diamonds are forever” is the homecoming theme. I don’t have any diamonds, but I bought a pretty pair of cubic zirconia earrings that glimmer prettily in the light.
My dress glitters in the light. I love this dress so much, I would get married in it. It’s not white, it’s champagne with a glittery gold overlay that sparkles every time I move, but it’s the prettiest dress I’ve ever worn. It was embarrassingly expensive for just a homecoming dress, but Carter was paying, and after all he’s put me through this year, I figured I deserved a gorgeous homecoming dress. I’ll wear it to prom, too, and get a little more value out of it. Hell, I would wear this dress to buy groceries if I wouldn’t get funny looks.
I can’t help smiling at my reflection one more time, spinning so I can watch my gown glitter in the light. I sigh happily, then grab the small purse Caroline picked out to go with my dress. I slide it on my shoulder and walk over to the mirror for one last check.
Caroline booked me an appointment at her salon in the city earlier today, so I look fancier than I ever have. I got a manicure with white French tips, and my blonde hair is pulled half-back and gathered at the crown of my head, long, shiny curls cascading down the back and sides. Caroline had them do my make-up to compliment my gown, too, so that all I had to do when I got home was put on the dress.
I look like a princess. I probably won’t look this good on my wedding day, so I might as well enjoy it.
Carter is waiting for me at the foot of the stairs. He looks incredible in a black tux with gold accent pieces to match my dress. The way he looks at me as I descend the stairs is everything. There’s a gleam of softness in his eyes, a sense of awe that makes my stomach sink and my heart soar.
My foot barely touches the living room floor and Carter is already reaching his hand out to grab my waist and pull me close. I feel his breath on my neck as he leans in to tell me, “You look amazing.”
I want to touch him, too, so I brace one hand on his shoulder and run the other down the length of his gold tie. “So do you.” I lower my voice, since my parents are in the room, and lean in to whisper, “I wore those panties you bought me, but if I’d known you’d look like this, I wouldn’t have bothered.”
Carter chuckles, his hand around my waist tightening ever so slightly. “Don’t worry, I’ll take them off you later.”
“Too late, they already disintegrated,” I tell him, cheekily.
He pulls back to smile at me, then leans in to kiss me, like he can’t quite make up his mind what he wants to do with me. I’m not used to seeing indecision on him, but that alone tells me he really is impressed. I already felt beautiful tonight, but now I’m glowing.
“Oh, don’t you two look so perfect,” my mom croons, walking over to us with her camera. “Let me get a picture of you in front of the stairs.”
Carter turns to her. “Just one second.” Turning back to me, he says, “I know you said you didn’t want a corsage, but I figured I shouldn’t show up empty-handed.” He draws a thin, square box out of his jacket pocket and informs me, “Now, my mom says you can’t have this unless I marry you, but you can borrow it for tonight.”
“This must really be something, if it requires marriage,” I comment.
Carter nods, cracking open the case. “Family jewels. Passed down a couple generations. It’s worth about the cost of a new car, so, you know, don’t take it off anywhere.”
“Whoa, wait, what?” I blink a couple times, then look down at the necklace nestled in velvet in the box. When I do, I can’t stifle a gasp. This is exactly the image that would pop up in my head if someone referred to family jewels. An incredible diamond and gold necklace set in gold sparkles up at me. It belongs on the neck of a queen, not me. It’s incredibly elegant without being too much.
I wish I had the story of the woman who was originally given this necklace. I picture a French courtesan, worshipped by a man in a much higher station. In a scandalous gesture, I picture him handing over his prized family jewels since he can’t offer her marriage, living his life with her, regardless of the rules.
It’s all terribly romantic in my head, and then Carter takes the necklace out of the box, carefully moves my hair over my shoulder, and fastens the elegant necklace around my neck.
I walk over to the large mirror on the wall so I can see how it looks, and it’s absolutely stunning. Carter looking so handsome standing beside me, me wearing his mother’s necklace and this gorgeous dress. We haven’t even left the house, and this night is already perfect.
Gazing at me in the mirror, Carter asks, “Like it?”
I touch the lovely piece, shaking my head. “Love it. I’m afraid you’re gonna have to marry me now.”
Carter chuckles, taking my hand and tugging me back toward the staircase. “Let’s get these pictures taken so I can maul you in the car.”
Carter and I pose in front of the staircase and let my mom take her pictures. Then she tells me she needs to get one of us in front of the door, and then the front porch, and then in front of the limo Carter is picking me up in. I finally cut her off before she tries to climb into the car with us.
I try not to fiddle with the necklace, but I’ve never worn something so expensive, so I feel like I’ll be checking on it all night long. My earrings feel too cheap to wear with something so grand, though, so before we get to the dance, I take them out and put them in my purse.
The dance is held in the ballroom of the nicest hotel in town. Originally, it was going to be held at the high school, but the senior class made a big push for the hotel instead. The darkened ballroom is decked out with colored lights and strings of faux diamonds hanging like waterfalls around the room. Tables are set up around the room with black and white linens, a handful of fake plastic diamonds sprinkled across the center of each table. A lot of girls are wearing shorter dresses, but I expected as much. Grace got a long gown like I did, but Kasey’s red dress barely hits mid-thigh.
I don’t really care what anyone else is wearing. I feel like I’m in my own little world with Carter, and I like it that way. Of course, our own little world gets immediately more populated when we get to the dance. Carter gravitates to the table where his friends have set up camp. The music is playing already, but no one is dancing yet. The way our school does things is sort of like a wedding—no one dances until the king and queen have had their first dance, then the floor opens up to everyone else.
“Everyone bow, the king has arrived,” Sutton announces, bowing sarcastically as Carter approaches.
“Damn right,” Carter says, his hand still at my hip.
“Damn, Ellis, you brought it tonight,” Cartwright says, openly checking me out.
“I love your dress,” Brianna tells me, flashing me a bright smile. She went with a short one that boldly flouts the “no excessive cleavage” rule of the homecoming dress code. My dress is strapless and I have some cleavage over here too, but the necklace is such an attention-stealer, I hardly expect anyone to notice my breasts. When Brianna’s eyes land on it, her eyes widen. “Holy shit, is that real?”
I nod, absently touching it again as she comes over to peer at the pearls hanging from the necklace.
“This is, like, royal wedding jewelry right here,” she informs me.
“Isn’t it? Carter’s mom let me borrow it for the night.”
She fusses over my dress, hair, and necklace for a minute while Carter visits with the guys. We got here a few minutes early, but they wait for the people who got here a few minutes late to wander in before the principal takes the stage and starts yammering about what a wonderful start we’ve had to the school year and the football season.
Carter comes over and grabs my waist, nodding toward the stage. “We should probably head over there.”
Somehow I managed to forget that—to the surprise of exactly no one—Carter was announced homecoming king at the football game last night. Cartwright is on the homecoming court, too, so he wanders up by Carter.
“Yeah, we probably should,” he agrees.
Brianna comes up beside Cartwright, glancing up at him hopefully. “You’re picking me for princess, right?”
“Eh, I don’t know. I might pick Erika.”
Carter slides a dry look his way. “Not funny.”
Cartwright grins. “Come on, it’s kinda funny.”
“If you pick anyone but me, you better be sure they’re sucking your dick tonight, because if I don’t get that damn sash, I’m sure as hell not,” Brianna informs Cartwright.
“Well, shit, I guess you get a sash then.”
Smiling victoriously, she mutters, “Damn right, I get a sash.”
It also slipped my mind that at our school, only the guys get voted to homecoming court. Then the guys pick their own counterparts. Blinking in sudden realization, I look up at Carter. “Oh, God. Does this mean I’m…?”
Carter’s attention is on the stage, not on me. The junior class court has already been called to stage, and now it must be our turn. Carter flashes the principal a smile, nods, and grabs my hand to drag me closer to the stage. He stops at the stairs, drops my hand, and heads up on stage.
My heart beats irregularly. I don’t like being the center of attention, but unless this is the long con from Hell, I don’t see Carter picking anyone else to be his queen.
Everyone on the floor claps as Carter takes the stage. Last year’s homecoming queen is up there with his crown and sash. Other than the sizeable baby bump she’s rocking, she looks like a retiring pageant queen, all smiles as she stands on her tiptoes to reach the sash over Carter’s head, then she puts the crown on him. Carter doffs the crown and winks at the crowd, causing a few chuckles and more than a few dreamy sighs.
I crack a smile at the reaction and look back up at him under the spotlight. Cartwright is called up next. He doesn’t get a crown, but he does get a sash, then the former queen hands him a tiara and the “homecoming princess” sash.
He knows what’s good for him, so when the principal asks who his princess is, Brianna is called to the stage. She grins and waves as she ascends the steps, then pleasantly thanks him and grabs the sash, putting it on herself. He tries to put the crown on her, but it gets caught in her hair and she ends up doing that herself, too. I can’t help laughing a little. Poor Cartwright.
When the focus is back on Carter, the principal can’t help praising him some more for the incredible football season we all know he’s largely responsible for. Finally, the principal is done kissing Carter’s ass.
“Well, son, don’t keep us all in suspense. Who is going to be your homecoming queen tonight?”
Carter leans in to the mic, flashes me a smile, and says lightly, “She’s my queen every day, Mr. Cousins. Zoey Ellis, get up here.”
Even though I knew it had to be me, my heart plummets. Everyone claps and I gather my dress, heading up the steps onto the stage.
After watching Cartwright fumble with the sash, the former queen decides to drape that on me herself. It’s a gold, satin sash with black font, while Carter’s is black with gold font. I’m not sure if it’s by coincidence or design, but they match our outfits like they were made specifically for us. Carter takes the crown before she can put that on my head, then he meets my gaze, smiles at me, and puts it on me himself.
“Perfect,” he murmurs.
Last year’s queen turned away to retrieve a big bouquet of roses from the table. She hands them to me now and I’m struck by their beauty. Ordinarily I believe the homecoming queen gets red roses, but these are white with gold glitter lining each petal.
“Wow, these are beautiful. Thank you,” I tell her, though I’m not sure who I’m supposed to thank. Never in a billion years would I have expected to be homecoming queen at this high school or any other.
The former queen leans in to confide, “Your boyfriend ordered ‘em special for you.”
Carter leans in to whisper jokingly, “Why are you giving away all my secrets?”
She smiles at me. “You’re a lucky girl.”
I do feel like a pretty lucky girl tonight. Even luckier, since my class didn’t pick me, I don’t have to touch the microphone or give any kind of “thank you” speech. Since I’m going to be dancing, I give the girl the flowers back and she tells me to make sure I come get them before we leave the dance. I assure her I will, and turn back to watch the principal finish up the crowning ceremony.
“Now, ladies and gentlemen, the king and queen will have their first dance. After that, everyone is welcome to join them on the dance floor and dance the night away! Have fun, be safe, and don’t do anything your parents wouldn’t approve of,” he tells them, shaking a finger at the assembled audience. He gets a few polite chuckles, but there are a lot of blank stares, too.
Carter takes my hand and leads me down the steps. The spotlight follows us out onto the dance floor. Carter takes me in his arms, heedless of the rule about distance between dance partners. Ben E. King starts crooning Stand by Me from the speakers and Carter pulls me closer.
“She’s my queen every day, huh?” I murmur playfully.
Carter shoots me a mischievous smile. “You liked that line, huh?”
“Your audience sure did. You tryin’ to make all the other girls wanna steal you away from me?”
“Nah, I’m not a necklace; I can’t be stolen.”
“I can’t believe I’m homecoming queen,” I tell him.
“Perks of dating the king. Better get ready, come prom you’ll sweep up that crown, too.”
“I doubt that. Senior class picks that one, not you.”
Cocking a disbelieving eyebrow, he says, “You cannot honestly doubt my ability to get shit done at this point. Come on now, Zoey. I’ll make sure you win.”
I shake my head indulgently. “I don’t want you to fix it.”
“You want me to dance this close with some other girl, then?”
I pause to consider, then tell him, “Fine, you can fix it.” It’s not like he’ll need to break any rules, just wield his considerable influence and tell people what he wants them to do. I’m sure his minions will help him out. “What are you gonna do when high school ends and you have to start over at Columbia? You won’t have any minions to do your bidding.”
“Not right away, but it won’t take long to break some new ones in,” he says, confident in his leadership skills. “Besides, New York is home. I have plenty of friends there.”
“Any I’ll like?”
His lips curve up faintly. “One you might like a little too much. I’ll have to keep you away from him so he doesn’t try to snatch you up.”
“Impossible,” I declare. “I am also not a necklace.”
“Can’t be stolen, huh?”
I shake my head. “I’m all yours.”
“I’m gonna hold you to that,” he tells me.
“Well, until we live too far apart to be together, at least,” I amend, knowing he will hold me to that. “Will we see your friends on the visit?”
Carter shakes his head. “Doubt it. Only staying the weekend doesn’t give us much time and I want to show you the city.”
Smiling at the mental image of us walking the sidewalks in a crowded Time Square, I tell him, “I can’t wait. I think we’ll have fun.”
“You know when I think we’ll have fun? When this stupid dance is over,” he murmurs, bending his head to kiss my bare shoulder. “When I can haul you out of here and get you the hell out of this dress.”
“I love this dress,” I tell him.
“I love it, too. I’ll love it more when it’s on the floor and you’re naked in bed with me.”
“What kind of animal would put this gorgeous dress on the floor?” I demand, wide-eyed. “Surely there’s at least a chair we can lay it out across.”
“You’re focusing on the wrong part of this story,” he states.
“I’m aghast at your rough handling of my beautiful gown. You’re allowed to handle my body that way, but my dress? Over the line.”
Carter rolls his eyes. “Fine, we’ll throw the dress on a chair. As long as you’re naked, I don’t care where your discarded clothes are.”
With a perfunctory nod, I say, “Much better.” Barely missing a beat, I ask, “Now, where is your mouth in this scenario?”
The beautiful mouth in question curves up in a smile. “Oh, my mouth is doing good work. You’re tummy down on the soft bed, I’m kissing my way down the small of your back, palming that beautiful, bare ass.”
“Mm, that does sound nice. I wonder where your mouth is heading…”
“Well, see, you have a wet pussy just begging for its attention.”
I bite down on my bottom lip, leaning in to murmur, “Keep talking like that and I’ll drag you out of here before the dance even gets going.”
“Don’t threaten me with a good time,” he returns.
I grin and lean up on my tip toes to give him a kiss. “We’re not going to be here for very long, are we?”
“Not a chance,” he verifies.