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Since Cami was one of my favorite subjects I didn’t need much prodding to start bragging about her. Parker was very interested in everything I had to say and asked a lot of questions. He even wanted to hear more about Dalton after I mentioned him.

“He used to be in the major leagues? Seriously?”

“Yes. He coaches now, is very involved in community youth sports.” I yawned.

“No kidding. That’s great. And Cami’s on her way to becoming a big time reporter?”

“It’s what she’s always wanted.” I yawned again.

Parker chuckled. “I guess my company is pretty stimulating.”

“It’s not you. I’m just tired. It’s been a long day I guess.”

He pointed. “I see you like your drink after all.”

I looked down. While I was talking I’d paused to drink more than a few sips but I’d still finished only a third of the glass. I didn’t intend to finish anymore or else I wouldn’t be able to drive home even if it did hardly have any alcohol.

“Actually,” I said, stifling another yawn, “I think I’m going to head home now.” I hadn’t really meant to stay this long.

“Already?” Parker was disappointed. “It’s been great, just hanging out and talking.”

“It has been nice,” I said, searching through my handbag for my wallet.

“Don’t worry about it,” Parker said, smoothly withdrawing some cash and setting it on the table. “I got this one.”

I didn’t argue. “Thanks again, Parker.”

“Let me walk you to your car. There are too many drunk idiots wandering around out there.”

“I’m good. I just parked around the block so I’ll be fine.” I stood up. I was a little tired but definitely sober. “I’ll see you in class, okay?”

He nodded. “You bet, Cassie.”

The bar was far more crowded now than it had been when I walked in so it was a little bit of a chore to squeeze out of there. Outside there was a touch of mugginess in the air, a hint of the brief summer storm season. But when I looked up I saw no clouds, only planets and stars and the moon. The same sky I’d been watching the night Curtis found me in the backyard. I inhaled sharply as a powerful thunderbolt of desire laced through me. Curtis had been right to put the brakes on that night. We would have just been using each other.

Buy holy shit, it would have felt good.

I had resumed walking while lost in thoughts of Curtis. Two girls were walking in the opposite direction and one bumped my shoulder, glaring at me as if it was my fault.

Wait, had it been my fault? I’d wandered over to the opposite side of the sidewalk somehow. A wave of dizziness forced me to clutch a nearby pole. I’d reached a corner and vehicle headlights swam in front of me. I looked up, saw the pole was attached to a street sign and remembered my car was here, on this street. It would be waiting for me in a small parking lot just a few yards away.

I let go of the pole and started walking to my car.

“You idiot,” I grumbled, really mad at myself now for drinking any of that rum and whatever concoction. I couldn’t drive like this. I didn’t want to call a car service and have some stranger pick me up when I was drunk. I’d call Cami. But first I wanted to sit down. I wanted to sit down inside my car and then I’d call Cami. And if Cami didn’t answer I’d think of someone else. Curtis maybe. If only I had his phone number.

“Cassie, are you okay?”

An arm was around me, a concerned voice in my ear, a familiar one. Parker.

“Fine,” I muttered and I really was fine. I just couldn’t quite get my legs to walk a straight path right now.

He laughed. “Damn, I guess that drink went right to your head.”

The comment annoyed me. He annoyed me. I hadn’t wanted his stupid drink in the first place. He ordered it, he kept urging me to drink it. This seemed important but I didn’t know why.

“Just gonna call my sister,” I said, fumbling with my phone. The colorful icons on the screen had shrunk it seemed. They didn’t want to do what they were supposed to do.

Parker gently took my phone way. “Look, my car’s right here. Let me take you home. I can’t leave you out here like this.” He put an arm around my shoulder. “You need to go home.”

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