I reached Amelia, who was already sprawled against Brian’s Range Rover.
“Don’t even think about it!” Brian shouted before grabbing the keys from her hands.
“What’d I do?” she yelled.
“You can’t even talk normally. You’re drunk and about to get behind the wheel?”
“What are you saying? I was, I wanted to, I was, um, June say something to him!” I heard her moan as she yanked my arm.
“Lie down back there. You’re trashed, sweetheart.”
I helped her stretch out on the back seat, where she took up all the space, forcing me to sit in front.
“Blaze! Where are youuuuuu?” she whined, making me smile. The only one not laughing was Brian.
“Come on, let’s go please! I have to pee!” exclaimed Poppy, rushing to the car. She took Amelia’s legs and moved them to make space.
“Blaze, where are you?” Amelia kept moaning as she collapsed against the car door like a wounded animal.
“Do you want to get a move on, Brian?” Poppy urged.
“Can’t you use the bathroom inside?”
“Eww.”
“Should we leave Blaze here?” I asked.
I looked for him among the crowd outside, but there was no trace of him.
All of a sudden, Amelia snickered and shot me a mischievous smile.
“Maybe he’ll find a six-three blond who will take him home tonight.”
“What’d you say?” Brian said, astounded, staring at her in the rearview mirror.
“Do you want me to pee on the seat? Because I’m about to.” Poppy was really suffering now.
“I was thinking, but Jackson . . .”
“Shh!Amelia, just sleep till we get home, please,” I whispered, leaning toward the back seat to get the hair out of her eyes.
“He’s not answering my texts. He must’ve stayed to talk with someone. He’ll call me if he needs me,” Brian said, putting the phone in his pocket to Poppy’s delight.
He finally started the car. I rolled down the window and waved goodbye to William. I avoided darting my eyes at the dark figure towering next to him.
>> <<
“I’m not going to ask you why you came back at this hour.”
“Mom, it’s one. I’m an hour late, and I warned you that I would be.” I’d barely set foot in the house, and she’d already hit the ground running.
“The vice principal called me!”
“When?” I grumbled, slamming the front door.
“This afternoon, before I let the house.”
“Where were you off to?”
