"This is a dance," Daryl replied teasingly. "We're dancing."

"That's not what I mean," I argued weakly. "We're friends, Daryl."

"Friends," he said flatly. "So, that's what this is, huh?"

No, of course that's not all this was.

"Should we really be considering risking our friendship on an itch?"

"An itch?" He arched a brow. "I'm an itch to you?"

I blushed. "I don't want to get hurt here."

His green eyes seared me. "And you think I'll hurt you?"

Guilt flickered in my eyes.

I couldn't deny it.

Blowing out a pained breath, he tightened his hold on my waist. "I've made some mistakes, and I'm well aware that I'm far from perfect, but this, Molls? You and me? We fit. We work. It's good. I want that. I want you. I don’t know what other way I can say this so you hear me."

"You know what Elvis says about fools rushing in, D," I whispered, shivering.

"Sure do, Dolly," he replied. "I also know what Elvis says about things always being on his mind." She stiffened, but I continued. "Well, you were, Molls. Always on my mind, that is."

I sucked in a sharp breath. "Don't."

"It's the truth."

My heart bucked wildly against my ribcage as I frantically tried to digest what I was hearing. "Are you saying…"

"I'm saying be with me, Dolly," he urged, tone serious, eyes laced with sincerity. "I'm done playing these games. I'm done with this walking on a tightrope shit. I can't hide the way I feel about you anymore, and I sure as hell can't change it. So, be more than just friends with me –"

The music was suddenly cut and I jerked away from him in surprise.

Moments later, a voice boomed through the speakers.

"At this time, we ask you to turn your attention to the stage as we announce this year's homecoming king and queen…"

"For fuck's sake," Daryl groaned. "I can't catch a damn break."

Faking the brightest smile that I could garner, I stepped out of his arms and clapped when the words, "Make some noise for this year's homecoming king and queen; Brittany Beckett and Daryl King!"

28 Daryl

I had finally plucked up the courage to ask my best friend to be my girlfriend, and my name was called through the speakers around us.

Jesus Christ.

I couldn't catch a damn break.

A chorus of screams and cheers erupted around us, and I suddenly realized what was happening.

I'd been crowned homecoming king.

"Congrats, QB1," Molly said, forcing an enthusiastic smile that was as fake as the recently crowned queen's tits. "Go get your crown."

Moments later, she was lost in the crowd as my teammates flocked me, pushing and shoving me towards the stage to where Britt was standing like the crowned queen of Ocean Bay.

Fuck.

My.

Life.

I didn't want any damn crown.

I wanted to stand next to the bitch of the bay even less.

Reluctantly, I climbed onto the stage, took my crowning like a man, and posed for the mandatory picture with the rest of the homecoming court, all the while my eyes sought Molly out in the crowd.