My head hits the back of the seat, and I scrunch my eyes tight.Oh good lord.I’m gonna die of embarrassment.
Patti laughs softly in the back.One day, I swear.Paybacks are hell.The shoes will be reversed.I buckle my seat belt, still slightly mortified, my head swimming in a not so little buzz, woefully regretting not eating a thing today.“Alright you two.Enough fun and games,” I tell them feeling the effects of alcohol flush my skin.
Beckett pulls out onto the main street.I glance over at him, and he’s still wearing that sexy little smirk.But when I turn to Patti, she quickly puts her smile away and gives me a set of wide eyes, glassy with a couple drinks and a whole lot of mischief.
My head spins just from turning in my seat and my stomach slightly rolls as we hit a bump.“Take Main Street to the light, turn right, and then a quick left.It’s not far,” I tell him groggily, laying my head against the coolness of the window’s glass to stop the waves of nausea that threaten to ensue.
5
Beckett
The little chatterbox is out cold before we even reach her street.“How many drinks did she have?”I ask, looking into the rearview to make sure we’re not being followed by anyone before we pull up to her house, because I plan to set a trap for them, not the other way around.
Patti glances up and her eyes meet mine in the rearview.“Just her normal two.She forgot to eat today, so that probably didn’t help.Krissy’s usually designated driver.Thanks for driving us.”
“Yep, I figured as much.She’s sound asleep.”
“Ever since she heard that the Eldridges hired people to go harassing the townsfolk, she hasn’t been able to sleep very well.You know what happened last year, right?”
The sideview and periphery look clear as I near her address.“I’ve gotten most of the story.She was taken by a guy from Eagle’s Swallow, a bar on the outside of town the night of Lacy’s bachelorette party and drugged?”
“Yeah, she said nothing too much happened, but they drugged her drink, and kidnapped her.PJ and Mason found her tied up.”
My jaw tightens just thinking about it.“That’s a far cry from nothing.I’m sure hearing about the intimidation going on in town and knowing what’s happened and then those assholes showing up didn’t help.Memories like that don’t just go away.”
“No, that feeling of being completely incapacitated has to stay with you.Don’t you think?”Patti asks me.
“It doesn’t go away quickly, at least that’s what I’ve heard.”I know for damn sure it’s going to take more time than Jules probably thinks it should.
I pull into the driveway that Patti points to from the back.“Don’t tell Jules I told you her story.She likes to keep it under her hat, says she’s over it and that it’s not going to get the best of her, but sometimes you just need to talk things out a little.Me and the girls are trying to get her to loosen up and let it out.Or go talk to someone.Instead, she just runs for hours and hours, punishing the pavement like it’s to blame.”
“Jules is a runner?”
Patti laughs.“You wouldn’t think so with her height.Most of the fast runners have long legs but she’s out there six days a week putting us all to shame.That’s why she looks so damn good in those jeans.”
That does explain just how good of shape she’s in, and why when she walks, the lean muscles of her thighs can be seen rippling through her jeans.But I don’t say that.It would imply that I’ve been looking pretty damn closely at the lovely little blonde who’s now curled up onto the window of my ride.
I inch the truck up close to the door of the double car garage and put it in park.“Garret, Lacy, Mason, and PJ aren’t too far behind.We heard something that makes us think the men who came into Wild Deuces are going to be coming here.You can bow out if you want, but the guys and I believe you are all safer if you stay here together.”
“No way I’m leaving Jules.I’m in.”
“I’m going to help you both inside before they arrive.I’m sure she’d rather not have everyone see her like this.I was just hoping to explain things to her before we got here.”
Patti reaches over the front of the seat and places a comforting hand on Jules’ shoulders.“The main thing is she’ll be safe.I’m sure she’ll appreciate you taking her in before everyone arrives.The rest of our friends would understand, but still, thank you.She’s never done this before.I mean, she’s seriously out cold.”
The neighborhood is quiet as I get out of the truck and walk around to the passenger door.Jules’ purse is tossed on the floor, and I hand it to Patti who’s already hopped out.“You want to find her key and open the door so I can carry her in?”
She gives me a smile.“You gonna tuck her in?At least let me get a picture of you carrying her in?Something to hold over her head?”
I shake my head.“No, go unlock the door.”
Patti laughs.“Fine, Mr.Killjoy.”
She rummages through Jules’ purse and holds up a set of keys.She strides out in front of me so she can unlock the door as I lift Jules into my arms.Her eyes don’t even flutter, but she tilts her head, leans into my chest, and tightens her hold on my arm as the silkiness of her long blonde hair caresses my arms.
Patti holds the door open so I can walk in before closing it behind us and taking the lead.She quickly guides me to a back bedroom so I can lay Jules gently on her bed.
I cover Jules with the decorative blanket on the end of the bed, staring down at the blonde beauty before the sound of another vehicle pulling into the drive causes me to hurry back to the living room to make sure those bastards haven’t followed us.
