My eyebrow twitches at the thought of her hitchhiking again. Someone has to keep an eye on her.
Heck, forget the practiced speech. I’ll just throw her over my shoulder and carry her to my truck. It’s not the first time I’ve done it and probably won’t be the last. It was the easiest way to deal with her after she’d been drinking.
A sickening doubt creeps into my thoughts. The similarity of these erratic texts she sent earlier to the random messages she used to send me during her drunken episodes. Both out of the blue and riddled with errors. It doesn’t help that Maya answered her phone and didn’t let me talk to her. Almost like she was hiding something.
Reese . . . no.I refuse to believe it.
I slam my palm into the steering wheel at the thought of her relapsing when she’s come so far. This is the longest she’s been sober, to the point I don’t even think or worry about her drinking. Despite her determination, we are all human and stumble on occasion. So if she has, Des and I will be there to set her on her feet again—no matter how many times she needs us to.
Unbuckling my seat belt, I leap down from the truck and follow the shoppers toward the event. I push my way through the crowd, scanning the sea of people for her.
When I see her, the anxious beast inside me calms and the desperate urge to plow through the crowd to find her lessens. In fact, I’m relieved. If I didn’t think she would break my arm, I’d give her a hug.
I can thank her abusive ex-boyfriend for that new trait. Now she doesn’t enjoy any personal contact... especially from me. It’s amazing how I went from holding her hand in the hospital when she recovered to her scrambling to avoid me in a room.
My fist curls in my jacket pocket. I regret not punching him a few more times that night instead of letting the police deal with him.
The other girls are chatting on the sidewalk, laughingabout something. But Reese’s tall form hunches slightly away, scanning for the nearest exit. Her dirty-blonde hair is swept up in a long ponytail resting over one shoulder, the ends swaying each time she tugs at the fabric clinging to her front.
The purple-haired bridesmaid spots me first and waves me over. At least someone is happy to see me. Maya’s and her relatives’ stiff backs and tense faces seem like they are bracing for a brawl. And as I expected, Reese glares at me like she could will me back to my vehicle by looks alone.
Even when I come to help she’s irritated at me. I can’t win with her.
The distinct aroma of wine drifts off her, stopping me in my tracks. Had I missed something? I scan her face again, taking in her clear silver eyes, and a weight lifts off my chest. She’s sober—thank God.
“You can stop frowning at me. I didn’t drink,” Reese snaps.
“I didn’t say you did.”
“Your face said it loud and clear.” She crosses her arms.
“She didn’t,” Nia says, taking a step in front of me like she’s ready to come to blows in heels.
“I’m not accusing anyone—this is just my face. But it is a bit concerning that nobody is explaining why she reeks of wine. What happened?”
With a huff, Reese glances skyward. “It’s just... such a weird story. We were walking and this tiny dog darts out of nowhere barking his head off. It starts a chain reaction of things smashing into one another untilboom, a glass of wine goes flying and spills on my shirt. You’re all caught up.”
Of course this would happen to her. I shake my head. It all sounds ridiculous enough to be true.
She holds my gaze, baiting me to disagree.Yeah, I’m not falling into that bear trap.
“Did you eat something? That usually helps with your triggers.”
“You think telling me to eat will solve everything?” Her curt tone has me backpedaling to safety.
“Well . . . it has before.”
“No, I’m not hungry. I’m stressed out and want to go home.” She holds up her trembling fingertips. “My body has apparently had enough for one day.”
That urge to pick her up and cart her off to safety returns.
“Let me buy you a milkshake or something. I think I passed a truck on the way in.”
“I don’t . . .well. . . that does sound good now that you’ve mentioned it.”
I fight back a grin. She’s always had a sweet tooth.
Reese gives Maya a hug and says goodbye to the others.
