Page 155 of Always: A Legacy Novel

“Drop it; Derik’s coming this way,” Catherine muttered.

Liliana cringed. “And that’s my cue to leave.”

“Call me tomorrow?”

“Yeah,” her cousin agreed.

Derik slid in beside Catherine, and snatched her red solo cup out of her hand, only to replace it with a new drink. His glazed eyes said he had already sipped on too much, and she would likely be driving him home.

“Fresh one for you,” he said, nodded at her cup.

His hand pushed the sandy blond hair out of his gaze, and he surveyed the room. Catherine was acutely aware of how different Cross and Derik were in moments like these. Derik’s attention went to only one thing, while Cross always kept at least part of his attention on her. Derik was light, with his blue eyes and blond hair. Cross was dark, from his gaze to his hair, to his fucking personality.

Entirely different.

Catherine downed half the cup in a single drink.

“Slow down,” Derik joked.

“We should probably head out of here soon.”

“Yeah, soon, Catty.”

Catherine hid her disgust by glancing away. “Don’t call me that, Derik.”

“Everyone else does.”

“No, my family does, and it’s a name I use when I’m working with my cousins. That’s it.”

“And Cross,” Derik challenged. “He uses it.”

“Well, he gave it to me, so he can use it if he wants.”

But not you.

Derik chuckled. “Whatever, drink up.”

If it meant she was going to get home sooner, she’d drink five more cups.

Catherine turned to set the red solo cup to the counter behind her, and was surprised at how the room tilted on its axis at the same time. “Whoa.”

“You all right?” Derik asked.

“I think I drank too much, maybe.” Catherine thought about her bag at her feet. “I’m going to call my dad.”

Dante would pick her up, no questions asked. It was his rule. As long as she didn’t drive drunk, and didn’t allow someone who was drunk to drive her. He would pick her up anywhere, and she would never be punished for calling and asking for help.

“Yeah, my dad,” Catherine said again.

She didn’t get to pick up her bag. Derik already had it in his hand, and his other was on her face, making her stare up at him.

“Shit, you’re lit, now.”

Catherine blinked, but her eyelids felt so heavy. “I’m gonna be sick, maybe.”

What was wrong with her?

“Yeah, come on. We’ll head out, then.”