“Yeah, shut up,” Travis quips with what I know is a shit-eating grin.
We were chilling in the garage at Travis’s after band practice. I was about to head home, but I wanted to call Olivia first because it seemed like she was on the verge of either passing out or being too drunk to know who I was.
I knew something was wrong the minute she answered the phone, all panicky and wild-eyed. When Pacey popped up behind her with a trash bag, I just fucking knew. They went to get her stuff, even though I’ve offered a dozen times to do it.
I jumped up and ran to my truck, and the guys were hot on my heels, seeing the state I was in. I didn’t have time to stop andexplain it to them, so they hopped in too, but I’d expect nothing less.
Once I hung up the phone and had a minute to process, I filled them in. Pacey was yelling, begging me not to come. She said they were leaving and Ryan wasn’t home, but he could show up any second. Then what? He’d try to convince her to come back, or they’d argue. No good could come from that, and the last thing I want is Olivia dragged into that mess.
I whip my truck onto the street so hard that Tanner and Liam go tumbling sideways in the back. The house comes into view. There’s no car in the driveway, but that does little to ease the tension rolling through my veins.
I run up on the curb and park my ass right in the goddamn grass. I want him to fucking know I’m here.
I jump out, not bothering to turn the truck off, but I hear it shut down behind me, and I know it was Travis. Their footsteps pound behind me as I sprint inside the house, slamming the door behind us. Pacey rushes into the living room, and her shoulders slump.Mother fucking fuck.
“Get your shit and get in the truck!” I bark.
“Okay, okay!” She runs down the hall and I take a minute to look around at the fucking filth that pig has been living in. I hope to fuck she never lived like this, but I guess I’d never know.
She comes back and throws two trash bags at our feet, and I motion for the guys to grab them. Tanner and Liam do, then slip outside to load them in my truck.
I follow her as she disappears again. “Where’s Olivia?”
“In the bathroom. She’s…not feeling well.”
I scoff. “No shit. You’ve all been drinking all night, and what? Got this bright fucking idea to do some stupid shit? What the hell, Pacey?” I didn’t want her drinking, but I thought she’d be safe at Olivia’s.
“I’m sorry!” she cries.
I close my eyes. Shit, I don’t want to make her feel bad. The last thing I want to do is push her away again, but this was irresponsible.
Pacey points to the door, I’m assuming Olivia is behind, and sure enough, I hear her gagging as I step inside. My anger dissipates slightly, replaced by the overwhelming need to comfort her.
Ellie is behind her, sitting on the tub, holding her hair. She looks up, her eyes narrowing on me likeI’mthe one in the wrong.
“Olivia, you okay?”
Her head lifts from the toilet, and her lip wobbles. “You’re mad at me!”
I sigh, more anger disappearing because fuck, she’s so damn cute when she pouts. “Can I have a minute?” I ask Ellie.
She reluctantly stands. “I’ll be right outside, Liv.”
I take a seat and stroke my hand soothingly down Olivia’s back.
Her head drops. “I don’t want you to see me like this. Please go away.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
“You’re mad. You called me Olivia! You only do that when you’re upset or being serious.”
My lip twitches, a smile threatening to break out. I hadn’t picked up on that, but she’s right. “Not mad,Barbie.” I’m fucking livid, but it’s hardly fair to take it out on her when she’s in this condition.
“Please leave. I don’t think I’m done yet.”
“I got you, baby.”
“It’s not attractive to see someone puke.”
