Ash shoved his hands in his pockets and stood next to Graham while Kincaid stepped onto the stage and accepted her crown. He wet his lips and glanced at Graham. “She looks beautiful up there. Every dude’s going to be jealous she’s not with them.”

Graham’s fist flexed at his side. “Not Justin. Fucker gets to put his hands all over my girl. Look at that shit-eating grin on his face.”

Ash looked toward the stage. Justin had wrapped his arm around Kincaid’s waist and was mugging for the photographer who was snapping photos from every angle. Justin looked more concerned about the camera than Kincaid, though. “They’re just old friends.”

Graham didn’t look Ash’s way. “Yeah, old friends who’ve seen each other naked. Look how flirty she’s being. She doesn’t even see what she does.”

Mrs. McCreedy announced that it was time for the royal dance, and “She Will Be Loved” by Maroon 5 started up. Justin took Kincaid’s hand, bowed dramatically, and kissed her knuckles. Ash could feel Graham tense next to him. Kincaid, oblivious to anything at the moment but the high of winning prom queen, laughed and gave Justin a quick kiss on the cheek before they walked hand in hand to the dance floor. The crowd parted, and Justin pulled Kincaid closer than he needed to and danced while everyone watched.

Ash couldn’t help but notice how breathtaking she looked under the lights. She was having such a good time, glowing with happiness, and a pit settled in his stomach because he could feel the anger wafting off Graham like a cloud of poison. The combo of alcohol and jealousy was swirling into a dangerous mix Ash was all too used to recognizing. A rope coiling tighter and tighter.

The song seemed endless, but as soon as the final bars finished, Graham was striding forward. He reached Kincaid, a razor-sharp smile on his face, and took her by the elbow, extracting her from Justin’s hold. Kincaid looked up at Graham, clearly startled, but then an easy smile touched her lips, and she let him lead her away. Another song immediately started up, but Ash didn’t move from the dance floor. His eyes were glued to his two friends.

They walked toward him, Kincaid beaming and Graham on edge. Kincaid adjusted her tiara when she reached Ash. “Hello, loyal subject. Your queen has arrived.”

Ash bowed slightly, trying to play along. “Your Majesty.”

“We’re going to get out of here,” Graham said abruptly.

Ash straightened at the harsh tone.

“What?” Kincaid frowned over at Graham. “But there’s still an hour left. I’m supposed to take more pictures with Justin.”

“Justin,” Graham bit out, “can take pictures without my girlfriend draped all over him.”

Kincaid rolled her eyes. “Not this again. I’m not into Justin. Stop freaking out about it.”

“I’m not freaking out. I just want to be alone with my girl,” Graham said, his tone softening, words slurring a little, a smile breaking through the tense line of his lips. “Is that too much to ask?”