Chapter 39
Pregaming
CHARLOTTE
The Friday before prom, my mom insisted I stay home. She mentioned something about expecting a package. It seemed odd, but I wasn’t going to complain about a quiet evening with TJ—especially since Tracy had declared him persona non grata for tomorrow’s pre-prom preparations.
TJ and I were in the middle of a board game, which I was winning, when the doorbell rang. I jumped up to answer it, assuming it was our pizza delivery. But when I opened the door, I was immediately enveloped in a hug before I could even see who was there. I squealed in surprise and pulled back to see who had ambushed me. The sight left me speechless.
“Hey, gorgeous,” Plut greeted me.
I was so shocked, all I could manage was a series of confused sounds.
“Jup, I think I broke your girlfriend,” Plut called out, laughing.
TJ came rushing into the hallway, looking just as surprised as I felt.
“What are you doing here, Plut?” he asked, wrapping his arms protectively around me.
“I heard there’s a dance tomorrow. Thought I’d crash it,” Plut replied nonchalantly.
I was still struggling to form coherent sentences.
“Sorry about breaking her,” Plut said, grinning.
“I think what Charlotte is trying to ask is, how did you hear about our prom and are you going with someone?” TJ clarified.
“Easy. I was invited. And yes, I’m going with someone—my girlfriend,” Plut replied, smirking.
I was still stuck on repeat, unable to process the information.
“Breathe, baby, it’s okay. Since when do you have a girlfriend, Plut? Do we know her?” TJ asked, trying to keep the conversation going.
“We’ve been officially dating for about three weeks now. And yes, you know her. It’s…uh…kind of Tracy,” Plut admitted.
I finally found my voice.
“HUH!? WHAT!?”
“Now you’ve broken her at a higher volume. Cut it out, man. And please explain how you’re dating my twin sister and why you didn’t tell me,” TJ said, sounding more amused than angry.
“Well, we exchanged numbers at the tournament and have been texting and talking since. I really like her, so I asked her out and we’ve been together ever since. Since we don’t live in the same town, you know I’m not just after her body. I care about her,” Plut explained.
“You better. If you hurt my sister, I’ll kick your ass,” TJ warned.
I was still struggling to process everything.
“Uh, here? Why? What?”
“You owe me a new one if you broke her,” TJ told Plut, grinning.
“Hey!” I protested, elbowing TJ in the stomach.
“Welcome back, love. I didn’t follow the last set, so you’ll have to translate that one yourself,” TJ teased.
“Um, sorry. Not that I mind, but why are you at my house? How did you even know where I live?” I asked Plut.
“Oh, simple. Your mom gave me the address. I’m crashing with you this weekend. You know my mom and yours are friends? Mom didn’t want me staying with TJ, since she has an issue with me staying with my girlfriend, so I’m staying here—with his girlfriend instead. Maybe we can have some drunken fun after prom,” he said, waggling his eyebrows suggestively.
TJ’s glare could have melted steel.
“I’m kidding, man. I like your sister and, as much fun as it is to tease you and Mars, she’s more like a sister to me than a romantic interest. Even if she wasn’t all sickeningly in love with you, I’d still be happily friend- zoned,” Plut assured him.
“Um, Tracy is getting dressed here tomorrow, so you probably shouldn’t be around,” I told him.
“No problem. Jup, can I get dressed at your place?” Plut asked.
“Sure, man. I’ll come over and drop off Tracy and pick you up in the morning. We can pregame before prom,” TJ agreed.
“Please don’t come pick us up drunk, guys,” I said.
“Don’t worry, baby. But I do plan to get you drunk after,” TJ promised, grinning.
“Ugh. Ignoring that, does everyone want to come hang out here after?
Mom will be home when we leave, but then she and Dad are going out for the night, so the house will be empty. Mom said it was fine to have you and Tracy over, and obviously she must have known about Plut,” I suggested.
“Sounds great, I can’t wait,” TJ agreed.
“In the meantime, let’s call Tracy over to hang out tonight. I’m sure you want to see her,” I told Plut.
I quickly dialed Tracy’s number, and she started screaming in excitement before saying she’d be right over. She must have broken several speed limits to get here so fast because she arrived about ten minutes later and immediately ran over to give Plut a hug and a kiss.
“Gross!” I exclaimed.
“Shove it, I get to see you making out with my brother constantly,”
Tracy retorted. I guessed that was fair.
The pizza arrived a few minutes after Tracy did, and I was glad we had ordered extra. We all sat around eating and chatting. It was great seeing Plut again. I had missed him, and I agreed that he was like a brother to me.
Actually, all the guys were like family to me, although TJ had managed to break out of the family zone. But then again, he had always been special.
It was almost midnight when Tracy and TJ left to head home. I showed Plut to the spare bedroom, and he immediately asked where my room was. I just laughed and told him he was lucky TJ had already left. With that, we both went to our rooms to go to bed.
· · ·
“Hiyah!” a loud voice yelled just before I was squished into my bed.
“Ugh,” I groaned. Why does everyone like to wake me up this way?
“Get up, sleepyhead!”
“What are you doing here, Tracy?” I asked, still half asleep.
“TJ was whining about not getting to see you today, so I told him he could see you until noon. He’s downstairs making breakfast with Frank,” she explained.
“TJ is cooking?!” I exclaimed, sitting up in bed.
“That boy can’t cook to save his life. He’ll burn down my house!”
I jumped out of bed and raced down the stairs, not even bothering to put on decent clothes over my skimpy pajamas.
“Wow, I could get used to this sight,” TJ said as I burst into the kitchen, only to find him and Plut sitting at the bar chatting.
“Yeah, she dressed like this at my house until I scolded her and told her to put clothes on,” Plut added casually.
“What are you guys doing? Tracy said…” I was interrupted by Tracy’s laughter.
“I was hungry, and you were asleep. Will you make me food, please?”
Tracy asked sweetly.
“Wait, so that panic was just to get me up to cook?” I asked, feeling a bit betrayed.
“Pretty please with a cherry on top?” she pleaded.
“Oh, fine.” I gave in and started to make pancakes for everyone.
“OMG! Will you marry me? These pancakes are delicious!” Plut moaned.
“Sorry, man, she’s taken,” TJ said, giving me a kiss on the cheek while Tracy glared at Plut.
“I’m just kidding, babe, sorry,” Plut apologized.
“You better be,” Tracy warned him, making me laugh. They were actually pretty cute together.
