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I pretend those four words didn’t just manage to sober me up in the worst way.
“I’m not letting you walk near that mess with bare feet. I've got it.” I find the broom tucked in a corner of her small kitchen and start to sweep the mess together.
“I can do it,” she protests, reaching for the handle.
“I said I’ve got it,” I snap, pulling it out of her reach.
She looks so heart-wrenchingly sad for a split second, but then it’s gone. As if I completely imagined it. The tone of my voice must work because she’s turning back towards her friends. I notice how hard half of them are staring, like they just witnessed something they’re going to talk about later. All I did was keep her from cutting open her foot.
When the glass is in the garbage, I know I have to get out of here. She’s back to chatting and drinking, and standing way too close to that guy.
Please don’t touch me,hersoft voice plays in my mind again. Now it’s obvious that she’s avoiding looking in my direction.
I snatch my car keys off of a hook and head out the door.
“I don’t think so,” comes Vic’s voice from behind me. I turn to see her hand held out expectantly. “I’m not letting anyone drink and drive tonight, buddy. Hand them over.”
I shake my head, not having planned on driving anytime soon.
“I was just going to sit in my car and wait it out for a bit.”
“Can’t wait it out inside?” She gives me a knowing smile.
“No,” is all I say. I manage to get the door open, but I don’t get it closed behind me before she’s got a hold on it. I let go and keep walking, my sour mood making me lack any patience.
“Then I’ll wait with you for a while, just to make sure.” She skips towards me, looking accomplished when she’s by my side.
“I swear I’m not going to drive. I just want to be alone.”
She gives me an assessing look, up and down. “I believe you. Doesn’t matter, because I’m still following you. You and I should get to know each other better.” There’s something in her tone that makes me feel uneasy.
“I’m not looking to get toknowanyone.”
“Oh, dude.” She shakes her head, and holds up her hand to show off a huge diamond ring. My shoulders sag a little in relief, and we continue towards the parking lot.
Vic talks the entire way.
“Autumn doesn’t let a lot of people in, but it’s usually a good pick when she does. She brought us together, Reya and I." She sighs. "I couldn’t stand that girl at first, and now she’s one of my favorite people on the planet. Maybe I’ll be able to say the same about you someday.”
“You can’t stand me?”
She laughs warmly. “You’re pretty tolerable, actually. We’re already halfway there.”
I raise my brows at her when she walks around to the passenger side of my car and tries the handle.
“It’s cold out here.” She motions toward the door as if I don’t realize I’m leaving us to stand out here. I’d love to get in my car and turn the heat on considering I can see my breath in front of my face.
“Am I signing up for an interrogation if I unlock that door?”
“Possibly.” She shrugs like she hasn’t decided yet.
I don’t know why I accept that as good enough, but the locks click and she looks pleased. It’s almost colder in my car, and I waste no time turning it on so I can get the heater going.
“So, you left without saying goodbye.”
I nod.
“Because you want to wrap your arms around her and keep her away from Ben, but you can’t.”
