Page 42 of Hello Kitten

nineteen

Itext Beth that I’m heading home and get a winky face in reply. I don’t have the heart to tell her that I’m going home alone because the one man I want is the one man I can’t have. The one man I’ll actually destroy.

As I walk, I think about the last few college years I’ve had. My parents have heard about less than a third of my flings. Not all of them have gotten to sex. I might not be a prude, but I’m not easy. I require a connection, chemistry, that ‘need’ that makes sex hotter. I’m not perfect, though. I’ve been caught in drama when a guy told me he was single, but had a girlfriend on the side. I’ve been liberal with kisses when drunk.

But I’ve neverruinedanyone. Maybe some heart ache, but that’s it.

No lasting consequences.

If I slip up with Adrian, all we’ll be able to face are consequences. So, I can’t let him come get me. Even though my phone keepsdinging.

Where the fuck are you Emily?

I’m driving, looking for you.

Answer your phone!

Why are you scaring me like this?

The last message breaks my heart. I drag myself to a short wall and sit on it, watching the blood roll over my knee and to my shin. I play with my phone, then call him. I can tell he’s pissed when he speaks.

“Where are you?”

“I told you not to come,” I whisper as my eyes sting.

“You are a drunk woman walking around at night alone,” he snarls. “I’m not going to ignore that.”

I look around, noting how few cars and people are walking around. The small groups of people are drunk girls, giggling and laughing, but I see a few guys milling around. I think they’re guys.

“I’m halfway to the dorms ... I think.” I squint into the distance. “Yeah. I take a turn at that light ... campus isn’t that big. There are safety lights, it’s—”

“Location. Now.” It’s a command, not a question. “I’m coming to get you. I’m going to sober you up, then drop your drunk bratty ass at your dorm.”

He hangs up just like that. I lick my bottom lip, turn on my location and share it with him. I rub my forehead as I fan myself. I’m so hot. Why am I so hot in fall? Has to be the alcohol. I should have eaten before we went out.

That’s on me.

A car pulls up on the road and I reach in my purse. Well. I should have brought pepper spray too but dropped the ball there. I almost sniffle when someone looms closer and closer.

“I have pepper spray!” I say in a shaking voice.

“No, you don’t,” Adrian growls. “Up.”

I stand, stumble in my heels and he wraps his arm around me. Anger and disappointment roll off him in waves. “One week, Emily.”

“Shut up,” I grumble.

“I’d spank you if I thought it would do anything,” he snorts while putting me in his car.

I spend the short car ride trying not to throw up. It’s like all the alcohol is hitting me at once. I’m dizzy, nauseous, kind of want to cry. Adrian finally stops the car, then opens my door. I lean out of it, while grabbing my stomach.

He takes my hair in his hand, getting it out of my face and I slap his hands away. “I’m fine!” I snap but that doesn’t push him away. He leans closer, unbuckles me and takes my hand. I turn to get out and then he suddenly squats down and gently touches my knee. “Did you fall?”

“Yes,” I whisper.

“Did someone try to hurt you?” he asks.

I wave my nails at him. He just reaches into the glove compartment and pulls out a bandage. I look at my own nails. “They change colors if a drink is drugged. I always slip my fingers in. It happened to a friend.”

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