Page 36 of Fighting the Forbidden

I tap out a quick rescue plea to Ella. She’s married to one my brother’s friends but she’s like a big sister to me—someone I’m comfortable asking for help.

Me: Drunk guy won’t leave me alone. Can you pick me up at Hayden’s?

I stare at my screen, waiting for a response. She’s probably working at the racetrack with her husband.

Am I being silly? Making a big deal over nothing? I promised Hayden I would stay over tonight. Is it rude to leave?

Ella: Be there in twenty.

I release a relieved sigh and stand, intent on finding Hayden to let her know I’m headed out. In the laundry room at the back of the house, I find her sitting on top of the dryer, waving her hands around and delivering a speech in a dramatic British accent, acting out a scene from…I have no idea what. Some rom-com she’s probably obsessed with. I lift my hand and wave to capture her attention.

“Mollllleeee!” She slides off the dryer, landing in a pile of neatly folded sheets and blankets.

I slide my gaze to two girls in our class who are also sitting in the clean linens and shake my head. “Her mom’s gonna kill you guys.”

“What? Why?” One giggles and hugs a blanket to her chest. “They smell soooo good.”

“Lord,” I say under my breath. Louder, I add, “Hades! I’m heading home.”

“What?” she screeches at top volume. “You can’t go!”

Maybe I really am the buzzkill Wesley said I was. Oh, well. “I don’t feel good.”

“Go upstairs and sleep it off!” she shouts.

Not if you paid me a million dollars. I can’t help thinking that if I fall asleep here, there’s a chance I’ll wake up with Wesley trying to rub his dick on me—or worse.

“Nah, I’m gonna head home.”

“I’ll ask Wesley to give you a ride.” She thrusts her hips in the air and ends up falling over again.

Hell no. “Ella’s already on her way.”

“Oh.” She pouts again. “Okay.”

I bump into Wade on my way out of the laundry room. “Hey, Molly.” He lifts his chin toward Hayden. “Is she okay?”

So polite—hard to believe he shares DNA with Wesley. “I think she’s had too much to drink.”

“Shit. I told Wesley we didn’t need to bring so much beer.”

I pat his shoulder. “I don’t think you guys are the only ones who brought party favors.”

“Wesley was looking for you.”

“Yeah, we talked.” He’s disgusting.

I slip away before he can ask me anything else and make it outside without anyone questioning me.

A shiny black Chevy Blazer glides to a stop at the curb and I run to meet it.

“What’s going on, McMuffin?” Eraser shouts as I slide into the back seat. I should’ve known Ella would bring her husband.

I groan at the nickname and slam the door shut.

Ella turns to look at me. “You all right?”

“Yeah.” I sigh.

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