It seemed like forever though it was probably only a few minutes when she righted herself to stand. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. Bogs stood at her back, not saying a word. Tears fell down her cheeks. She couldn’t quite pinpoint whether it was for the situation she was in or the embarrassment of having the hottest guy on the planet hold back her hair while she hurled.
“You good for a minute? I just need to turn off the truck and I’ll get you inside.” He slowly released her waist and unraveled her hair from his hand letting it fall forward.
She nodded unable to speak. This was like a never-ending nightmare. She needed to crawl into bed, lock the doors, and not wake up for at least a month. She wiped her hand against her cheeks. The putrid smell turned her stomach once again.Make that a year.
He was at her side within a minute. She refused to look athim. No further discussion was needed with regards to going home. She knew it and he knew it. Staying with Bogs was her only option.
She gasped when her legs suddenly fell out from under her. She reached out and was tangled up against his chest.
“What are you doing?”
“Carrying you will be much quicker. It’s pretty late but if my neighbors see you stumbling around, I’ll be the topic of gossip by five am.” He chuckled softly. “Too late.”
Kenzie lifted her head to see a tall, dark haired woman approaching them. She was dressed in a plunging low-cut red dress that showed off all she had to offer. Her smile was coy as she got closer. She gazed down at them and Kenzie could only imagine what she was seeing.
“Well, what do we have here?”
“Hey Macy!” His greeting was friendly, and immediately Kenzie wondered if they knew each other intimately. It wasn’t any of her business either way.
“Got yourself a damsel in distress, I see.” She stopped a foot away and Kenzie noticed a small dog walking next to her. The puffy white fuzzball was lingering around.
“Yeah, well, you know me. I live for that white knight shit.”
She laughed. “Yes, you do.”
There was her answer. She hated knowing the man who was carrying her after watching her puke had been with a woman like Macy. Gorgeous, striking, and she didn’t smell like vomit.
“I’d ask for an intro but your fair maiden is looking a little too fair.”
Bogs passed the woman. “Kenzie, this is my neighbor to the left, Macy, and her beast, Fritz. Gotta watch him, he’s ferocious.” Bogs chuckled.
Kenzie glanced over her shoulder, giving half a smile and a slight wave. Macy grinned and wiggled her fingers. Hewalked through the garden path in silence. She knew what she smelled like and opening her mouth was not an option.
The complex was situated like a resort. She could see from the lighted path, a pool up ahead. He turned right and a few steps into a patio area with sliders.
“Gonna put ya down.” When she felt the ground under her feet, she leveled herself and stepped away from him. She glanced around at the surroundings. It wasn’t a spectacular view but he had two chairs separated by a small table and potted plant on its last leg sat in the corner.
“C’mon in.”
She walked through the door with her arms folded. She stepped just inside as he slid the door closed.
“Can I use your bathroom?”
“Yeah, sure.” He walked through the living room and into the entry hall. Then reached in through the doorway and the small room illuminated in a bright light.
When he stepped away, she walked in, unable to bring herself to look up and thank him. The door closed behind her. She walked over to the sink and slowly lifted her head.Holy shit!
She was pretty sure this was the worst she’d ever looked in all her twenty-four years. Her hair, which was usually one of her best assets, was a stringy mess. Her make-up from six hours ago, looked as though it had melted onto her face. Her eyes were bloodshot and her nose was bright red. She looked exactly the same as she felt.
She was living a nightmare and had the starring role.
****
She had been in the bathroom for a while. He considered checking on her, even walking down the small hall to the foyer, but stopped at the stairs. After everything she went through tonight, she needed a little time to get herself together. Andclean herself up. He reached for his shirt and took a whiff then stepped back as if he could get away from the stench. Puke had a distinct scent.
She’d probably be in the bathroom for a little longer. He climbed the steps, making his way down the hall to his bedroom. His shirt was completely off before he made it into the room. He tossed it in the overflowing hamper. Fuck, he missed laundry day. He scanned his room seeing the mess scattered throughout. He was a self-proclaimed slob. He hadn’t quite rid himself of the college dorm life. Not even six years later.
For some odd reason, the sight of his room in disarray had him regretting not hiring a cleaning crew. His sister, Roxanne, had suggested he hire professional help. He refused. Damn, he hated when that little shit was right. With one last look around, he made his decision.
