Page 50 of Fame & Chaos

I blink. “What?”

Angelica bursts out laughing while I stare down at Annie in complete confusion. “You stole her drink?”

Annie gasps loudly. “Noooo, I said I drank her stole.”

I rub my forehead. “Jesus Christ.”

Angelica shakes her head, still smiling. “You should probably look after her.”

Yeah.

No kidding.

I suppress a sigh as Annie swings her arms outward like she’s on some sort of drunken amusement ride, nearly throwing herself straight out of my grip.

“For fuck’s sake, Annie, stay still.”

“Weee!” she yells. “I’m flying!”

“You’re not flying. You’re drunk.”

She gasps dramatically. “I’m sparkly.”

Right.

Definitely hammered.

I carry her quickly through the back beer garden toward the exit, relieved when I notice the security guard isn’t standing at the door anymore. The fewer people who see this disaster, the better. By the time we reach my car, Annie’s head is lolling against my shoulder while she hums some random song completely off-key.

“You’re my cousin, and I love you,” I tell her while setting her carefully on her feet beside the car. “But you are an absolute fucking idiot sometimes.” I pull my keys from my pocket and unlock the Lexus with a beep.

“Beep beep!” Annie giggles loudly. “Like the Road Runner!”

I pinch the bridge of my nose.

Dear God.

“Get in the car, Annie.”

She twirls once dramatically before collapsing sideways into the passenger seat, laughing hysterically at absolutely nothing.

Yep.

She’s gone.

I shut her door and circle to the driver’s side.

“Sorry for ruining your smoochy time with Princess Hair Extensions,” Annie slurs.

Despite myself, I laugh.

Okay, that was funny.

Maybe she’s not completely unconscious yet.

“Buckle up,” I order as I start the engine.

She grabs it enthusiastically and yanks so hard the locking mechanism catches, then she stares at it like it personally offended her. “Your belt is broken,” she announces seriously before dissolving into laughter again.