Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 138775 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 694(@200wpm)___ 555(@250wpm)___ 463(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138775 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 694(@200wpm)___ 555(@250wpm)___ 463(@300wpm)
“You guys want to get out of here?” Kyle asked once we had.
I exchanged a glance with Jayden.
“We have to find someone first,” he told Kyle. “Our friend—she’s had a very rough day.”
Kyle nodded his understanding. “Great. That kind of thing, plus beer, always leads to good decision-making.”
“Exactly.”
We split up, me going with Kyle, since he didn’t know what Mia looked like. I stuck close to his side, a little embarrassed. Inhibitions were clearly lowered, and I saw couples doing things that made me blush. We were on our second pass of the living room when I saw a woman writhing up and down on the lap of a man sprawled out on the couch. He had his hands on her ass as she ground against him, the skirt of her dress barely covering her ass. I had to look closer. Were they actually—? And then I saw the black cat ears and the red highlights in the woman’s hair. “Shit.”
I dragged Kyle over there. “Mia, we’ve been looking for you.”
There was no response as she kissed the guy harder. If I thought she was in control of herself and her emotions, I would’ve let her be, but that clearly wasn’t the case.
I looked up at Kyle. “Can you find Jayden?”
He nodded and disappeared into the crowd. I crouched down next to the arm of the couch and put my hand on Mia’s shoulder. “Mia? Hey, Mia. I have to tell you a secret.”
She surfaced for air at that moment. The dude under her groaned as she pulled away. “Is it the same secret your friend Hailey has?”
My cheeks turned red. Of all the things for her to remember when she was this drunk.
And then Jayden was there, lifting her up. I was very relieved to see that the man she’d been crawling all over still had his pants zipped. “You stay there,” I told him as I got to my feet. He nodded, looking like he was seconds from passing out. But then his expression cleared, and he looked up at Mia. His mouth opened, and I thought he was going to say something, but he didn’t.
His gaze cut to me, his eyes bleak. I had a sudden feeling that maybe Mia wasn’t the only one who’d had a really difficult day. But he wasn’t my concern—Mia was.
I stood up and helped Jayden as he half carried Mia. She was completely wasted and kept trying to wander off. But between the three of us, we got her out the front door.
“Do you know who that guy was?” she said loudly, trying to throw her arm around my neck.
“No, who?”
Jayden shook his head. “I think she’s asking you if you know his name.”
Oh. “No, but he was hot,” I said, in part to cover the awkward moment.
“I know, right?” she giggled. “Do you think he’ll call me?”
“Did you give him your number?” Jayden asked, his arm around her waist, supporting her. “Or exchange socials?”
“No, why?”
Kyle gave a low laugh. “Don’t hold your breath.”
We got her to Kyle’s truck, pausing once when she was sick. Kyle made Jayden hold her on his lap in the passenger seat, which was where I wanted to be sitting—but it was probably a good idea that she was near the door, just in case. Kyle was rightly protective of the interior of his beloved truck.
It took some coaxing, but we got her to tell us where she was staying. It broke my heart a little, too, because at one point she turned to me and said, “But Sara’s not there.” Her eyes were suddenly clear. “It’s just me.”
I patted her back. “I know, and I’m sorry.”
When we pulled up to the building where the students in the Stepping Stones program were staying, Kyle carried Mia while Jayden and I convinced the student at the front desk that we were just looking out for her.
After we found her room, Kyle went in search of water while I got her settled under the covers. Jayden pulled the trash can next to her bed.
She was asleep almost instantly. After making sure her phone was near her, we left.
The cool night air hit me as we walked back to Kyle’s truck. “Thank you,” I said, taking each of their arms. “You guys were great.”
“You helped as much as we did,” Jayden pointed out as we reached the parking lot.
“I know, but—some women don’t have anyone looking out for them at parties, and you two were so gentle with her. I love you guys.”
Kyle froze, his hand on the passenger door handle. After a long moment, he pulled it open. I smiled at them once more and then climbed into the truck, making sure not to flash anyone with my short skirt. I slid over to the middle and—
Oh my god. Had I just told them I loved them?