Page 99 of The Fadeaway

I open the door as Blair studies me. “How did you guys pull this off without us knowing?”

“I had some help.” I motion inside where Vanessa and Mario sit waiting for us.

We pile in and I pop the champagne.

“This is amazing.” Katrina looks me over like she’s ready to reward me for good behavior. Excited for that, but first… we prom.

“You’ve got glitter sort of… all over you.” Vanessa’s voice temporarily distracts me from all the dirty plans I’ve got in store for later.

I look over in time to see Gabby biting back a smile as she tries to wipe glitter off the big man.

Tonight is gonna be baller.

The White House is madness. The eight of us pile out of the limo to an already wild party. A Thursday night party wouldn’t normally attract this many people, but next week we’re off for spring break, so everyone is looking to let loose before they head out of Valley for a week. Plus, the guys and I pimped the hell out of it to make sure it lived up to every expectation Gabby and Kitty could have possibly had.

Clutching my arm, Kitty smiles at her corsage and back to me. “Did you pick the biggest one you could find?”

“Custom ordered, Kitty. Nothing but the biggest and baddest for my girl’s prom.”

“What exactly awaits inside?” Gabby asks.

It’s that moment that a group of squealing girls runs around from the back of the house covered in foam, stripping off clothes like they’re about to go streaking through the quad.

“This may not have been the brightest idea you’ve ever had,” Wes says as two girls stand in the front yard in their bra and underwear.

“Don’t look at me.” I chuckle. “This was all your girlfriend’s idea.”

“A foam party?!” Gabby screeches and jumps with such excitement even Z cracks a smile.

Gabby kicks off her heels and makes a run for it, Blair follows behind, and Wes and Z have little choice but to do the same.

“Impressive,” Katrina says to Vanessa and I don’t even try to take the credit for this because as long as that smile stays on her face, it’s moot.

“Oh no, this was all Joel. I only kept it a secret so I could see the looks on your faces when we got here.” She grins and holding hands, Mario and her, walk away.

“Shall we?”

Instead of following the others, I take her through the front door and up the stairs toward my room. She’s quiet but wears a smile that tells me she thinks we’re going to bang. I mean, maybe that too if there’s time, but it’s not why I’m taking her to my room.

“I know it’s not quite as cool as the Zack Morris surprise prom, but…” I open the door and watch her expression carefully.

“Oh my God, what did you do, Joel?” She enters the candlelit room, hands covering her shocked face. She stops in the middle of the room and turns to me. “This is better. So much better.”

“There’s more.” Taking her hand, I lead her out to the balcony. The music pumps and we’ve got a view of the foam party going on below. I pull her close and wrap my arms around her waist. “It wouldn’t be prom if you didn’t get to check out my awesome dance moves.”

She rolls her eyes at me but places her arms around my neck and we sway to the music. “Were you always this cocky?”

“Always.”

She lays her head on my chest and I wonder if she can feel my heart pounding inside. “Thank you for this. It’s better than any high school prom could have possibly been.”

“Only one thing that could make this night better.” She lets out a little snort, clearly thinking I mean better by bringing my penis into the equation, but nah, I already mentioned I didn’t bring her here for that. Summoning more courage than it takes to pull a spin move on Z, I drop to one knee all dramatic like.

“What are you—”

“Relax, sweetheart. I have a proposal for you, but not the kind you’re thinking.”

At least not yet. Took Zack Morris five seasons to seal the deal with Kelly, I don’t have any intention of waiting that long, but I want that NBA contract first. Preferably in LA. Not just because the Lakers is my dream, but because it’s where she wants to be too. Not quite sure how we’re gonna work that out yet, but I’ve got an entire year to figure it out and I think my dedication to getting what I want is clear.

“O-kay.” My fearless girl looks nervous.

“Prom tonight.” I pull out the key to my family’s vacation house in Puerto Vallarta from my pocket. “Spring break trip tomorrow after the show?”

“Really??!!”

I expected a whole slew of questions about logistics for Christian – and I’ve thought of them all, but it’s just excitement she wears as she jumps up and down. A whole lot of things she gave up to be the most amazing mom and still work toward her dreams. But I’m gonna give them all to her, one Thursday at a time.

And every day in between.

THE END