Page 95 of Unraveled

“You’re lucky you’re adorable tipsy, whiskey.”

“I think the word you’re looking for is buzzed,” I said, pretending to look offended as I pulled her hair back correctly this time. I laid it over her shoulder, and she took over, adjusting the strands.

“Sure. Buzzed. Fine.”

I frowned, noting the flirting was gone. “Okay, for real. What’s up?”

“Nothing. I just finally tried calling Nic again, and hestillhasn’t answered. I’m worried, Tucker.”

I gave her a sympathetic look, realizing that other than when I’d seen her dancing with her friends, it didn’t seem like she was enjoying the party. “He just needs some space.”

“Is she calling him again?” Jet asked with a smirk just before I could ask her to dance. His arm wrapped around Annie’s waist as they approached.

“I’mworried, Jet.” She shot him a look, and I pulled her in for a hug.

“He’s just teasing.”

“I know. I’m just… I don’t like that he’s ignoring me. He’s just so frustrating.”

“Finally! You agree!” Annie threw a hand out.

Jet and I laughed, and even if Izzy didn’t want us to see it, I could see the smirk she tried to hide. I just wished I could get her to lighten up and enjoy the party.

“Wanna dance, princess?” I bent over to rest my head on top of hers from behind, and she tilted hers back to look up at me, that smile I was hoping to see starting to show.

“You really think you have to ask?”

Grinning, I scooped her up, loving her laughter as I took off for the crowd of dancers that had formed past Corey’s truck. Annie’s shriek echoed behind us as Jet lifted her, too, and he set her down in the sand next to Izzy, her expression now twisted into disgust.

“Damn, Annie. I know you hate dancing, but it’s not that bad,” I teased, already pulling Izzy flush against my abs, but Annie shook her head, her hand going to her middle.

“Not that. It was the lifting that got me.”

“Sorry, sweetheart.” Jet winced as Izzy pointed a finger at her sister.

“Just be aware that I’m not cleaning up any puke. You over-drink and get sick, it’s on you.”

“The love I feel right now,” Annie deadpanned, and the twins shared a grin as Jet pulled Annie against him for the dance.

ANNIE

I let my sister subject me to dancing for a while before I finally bowed out, and Jet and I left Tucker and Izzy behind to go socialize. They were caught up in each other, but I wanted to soak up every part of this party. Tonight was about more than just our group. It was our last night like this with some of our friends before we all started parting ways.

We ended up with a group of friends by the bonfire, the heat from the flames wafting over me in waves. It was not a good mix with all the beer I’d had, and I took a few steps away towards the water, hoping some breeze coming in from the ocean would help calm my stomach.

Jet followed me over. “You okay?”

My eyes closed, and I took in a slow inhale of the salty air. “Just got too hot, I think.”

“You want me to get you some water?”

I thought for a moment, considering how it might sit on my stomach, then nodded. “Yeah. I think that might help.”

“On it.” Jet pressed a kiss to my forehead and took off, and I took another few deep breaths, the fresh breeze already starting to help.

Taking a few steps closer to the water, I soon sensed someone walking up behind me, relief hitting that Jet had gotten back so quickly, but when I turned around, I froze when I saw it was Ruby.

She was wearing that tiny blue bikini top with some skimpy cut-off shorts and a sneer on her face as she approached. I crossed my arms under my chest, my yellow and black studded bikini top a definite size or two larger. I’d spill out of her tiny ass thing.

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