Page 19 of Wilde Flame

Ensley giggled. “Hey, big brother! Here for your monthly date with your fuck buddy?”

I giggled again—but not because seeing Caden made me the least bit happy—as I looked from Ensley to a very angry-looking Caden. I’ll blame it on the alcohol for sure because seeing him up close was the last thing I wanted.

“Are you serious right now, Ensley?” Caden asked.

Ensley pointed to Mike and Steve. “Look! It’s Mike and Steve. I didn’t even know who they were at first, but I’ll be goddamned if they didn’t know you from football.”

Caden exhaled. “Thanks for coming to get me, Steve.”

“I’ll give Lilibeth a ride home,” Mike said.

Before I could decline myself, Caden said, “You let them get this drunk and you actually think I’m going to let you take them home?”

“He’s a police officer…er…er,” Ensley said with a laugh. “He can be trusted. Right, Mike?”

Mike remained quiet this time.

“Can you help her out to my truck?” Caden asked Steve, who quickly helped Ensley stand up.

“There you go, sweetheart,” Steve said, as Ensley struggled to get her balance. I hadn’t realized she’d drunk so much.

“Why, thank you, handsome!” Ensley replied, as she leaned against him heavily.

Mike reached out a hand to help me stand—although I didn’t need any help—when Caden shoved himself between us. “I’ve got her. Thanks, Mike.”

Lifting his hands in surrender, Mike stepped back. “Sure thing.”

Caden took me by the elbow and started to guide me through the bar.

I tugged my arm away. “I don’t need any help.”

It was such a shame I didn’t see the chair in my way before I said that, which caused me to trip and fall to my knees.

“Damn it all to hell, Lilibeth,” Caden said, picking me up and carrying me as if I weighed nothing.

“I can walk!” I protested, as I attempted to get out of his arms, but to no avail. Once we got outside, I figured he’d put me down. Instead, he carried me through the parking lot and to his truck.

“Put me down, Caden!” I shouted.

Once we were at his truck, he carefully put me on my feet. I was about to yell at him again, but my stomach lurched—and I swiftly covered my mouth with my hand.

Caden stared at me, then closed his eyes. “Please tell me you’re not about to throw up.”

When he opened his eyes again, I nodded, then quickly turned and started to hurl.

Caden was suddenly there, holding my hair back as I threw up repeatedly, until all I had left were dry heaves.

When those finally stopped, it felt like all the energy had been poured out of me. I stood and swayed. Caden produced a bottle of water from God knows where.

“Here. Rinse your mouth out, Lilibeth.”

I took the bottle with shaking hands. It was strange how I suddenly felt a bit sober. Maybe it was because I’d just thrown up every ounce of alcohol I’d consumed.

“Moreen? Ensley?” I called out, attempting to look around without getting sick again.

Caden put his arm around my waist and guided me to the open door of his truck. “They’re in the back seat already.”

He held out his hand and helped me into the passenger seat.