“I’ve got her,” I say, wrapping a hand around Riley’s shoulder and tucking her closer.
“Take care of her, alright?” Rebel says, as she passes by with Kinsey. “I think she was upset about something earlier.”
I nod.
“Drink lots of water when you get home, Riley,” Rebel says in a motherly tone.
Cordelia hugs Renthrow with a smile and then says, “See you at home, neighbor.”
Renthrow, Cordelia, Kinsey and Rebel leave and I turn my attention to Riley. With her face smushed against me and her eyes tightly shut, she looks unbelievably adorable.
“Why’d you drink so much tonight, shrimp?” I whisper.
“My stomach hurts,” she complains.
“I’ll get you home soon.”
The perfect little bubble around me and Riley bursts when Layla shrieks, “Nat, who’s that girl?”
My ex’s voice sounds like nails on a chalkboard.
I can’t take this anymore.
Holding Riley steady with one hand, I pull out my wallet and produce enough bills to cover her drink tonight.
Layla stares at the money that I offer, making no moves to take it.
Rather than play this game with her, I lead Riley closer to the bar and set the money down.
“There. I paid for your drink. Keep your end of the deal.”
Layla’s eyes settle on Riley like a snake on an injured squirrel. “Is she your girlfriend?”
“Who she is to me is none of your business,” I say firmly.
Then I whisk Riley outside to my car.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
RILEY
My head is pounding and my stomach feels like I’m strapped to a crazy rollercoaster of death.
Something hot gurgles up my throat.
Pain emanates through my entire body.
I launch to my feet, eyes barely cranked open and hurl myself into the bathroom. My hands are shaking and I barely get the toilet seat up before I collapse against the throne and empty the contents of my stomach.
When I’m done, the pain continues.
I crumple into a heap on the floor.
This is what you get for acting like you can drink, Riley.
I spent my entire life studying and working to be the best airplane repair technician in the room. Forget about building an alcohol tolerance, I barely had time to shower and come back to work.
However, I was upset about seeing Nat with Layla, so I indulged a bit. Now, I’m paying the price for my impulsive decisions.
