Page 125 of Sorrow & Strangers

“Rafe, we’re fine.”

“Summer.”

“I promise. We’re okay.”

Some of his tension relaxes. “Thank you for promising.”

I frown and pull back enough to look up at him. “Whoa, I promise we’ll be fine. Not that we won’t go out without you.”

“Why can’t you allow me peace of mind?”

“I can promise we’ll be more careful?” I offer, but I suspect his transformation has only enhanced his instincts as a protective big brother.

He huffs, tensing when a small burst of hellfire ignites between his lips. “Sorry, new thing,” he mumbles, looking a little embarrassed as he tries to speak without opening his mouth.

My lips twitch, and I snicker when he pulls me against his chest, holding me there where I can’t see his face. I let myself relax against him, dozing quietly until my phone pings.

“Can you pass me that?” I ask with my eyes still closed, blindly reaching for my phone where it rests on the nightstand.

Rafe hands me my phone, and I notice that I have hundreds of notifications, but that’s not what makes my heart stop. It seems that during the course of my drug-filled night, I sent numerous messages to the stranger and Max.

“Fuck.”

“Who is it?” Rafe asks.

“No one.”

“No one is texting you?” Rafe asks, giving me a skeptical look.

“Right.”

I open my messages with the stranger, and without looking at what I sent while in my inebriated state, I start typing.

Summer

I’m fine, leave me alone.

His reply comes almost immediately.

Unknown

You were drugged.

“Let me guess. It’s your friend?”

I glare at Rafe.

Summer

If you know the answer to the question, why ask?

Just as I hit send, another message pops up on the screen.

Do Not Fuck

How’s the hangover?

“Fuck,” I curse under my breath. I need to start making better decisions. With a sigh, I open the messages with Max, again refusing to look at the mess I probably created for myself last night.