Page 2 of Pretty Little Disaster

“Don’t be ridiculous, Pearce wouldn’t do that.”

“Oh yeah, and how well do you knowPearce?” I ask, stepping even closer so my face is close to hers.

“I…I…” She strokes her hand over her forehead as if she’s confused, then when she stumbles on those high heels again, I waste no more time on discussion.

“Come on.” I bend my knees and lift her back over my shoulder.

“What…come where? I…Nic.”

“I’m taking you home,” I tell her, stomping through the club toward the fire exit, then out into the alley where my car’s parked. I know she moved out of home last year so she could be closer to her college campus, and I figure it’s only right, as her best friend’s brother, to ensure she gets there safely.

Lorna’s done protesting and just flops back in the passenger seat when I rest her in it, her eyes are closed but I can see she’s breathing by the way her chest rises and falls in that tight, little dress she’s wearing.

I get behind the wheel and start heading in the direction of where she lives. I know the area but she’ll have to help me out as we get closer. My phone lights up and I get even more infuriated when I get a message from Seb telling me that the guy who did this to her somehow managed to get away.

“Fuck!” I slam my palm against the wheel, then start wondering why this situation has got me so fucking angry. I don’t care about this girl who’s passed out in my passenger seat. In fact, I fucking hate her. She’s judgemental, opinionated, and far too outspoken.

“Lorna, hey. I’m getting closer to home, I need an address.” I place my hand on her thigh and ignore how soft her skin is as I try to shake her awake.

Her hand reaches forward and taps the dash in front of her. Like she’s trying to locate something.

“My bag. I don’t have my purse, I need my keys.” She frowns with concern, though she still hasn't opened her eyes and her voice is much softer than usual.

“Okay, don’t worry.” My hand lifts up, sliding over her hair and offering her some comfort, then when I realize what I’m doing I quickly place it back on the wheel and focus on the road ahead of me.

I sit in the chair in the corner of my room watching her sleep, making sure she’s breathing, and hating how impossible it is to deny that she’s beautiful. She’s all tangled up in my covers, her cheek is nestled into my pillow and for the past four hours that I’ve spent staring at her, all I’ve wanted to do is climb in beside her and wrap her up in my arms.

I scrub my hand over my face and laugh at my own stupidity.

“Nic?” Her eyes eventually flash open and her hand reaches for her head when she sits up way too fast.

“Relax, you're safe,” I assure her, standing up and grabbing the glass of water I put on the nightstand. I Googled what to do if someone’s been drugged and apparently her mouth will be dry.

“Thanks.” She looks confused as she takes the glass from my hands and takes a sip, a long never-ending sip that makes her gasp when she’s finished.

“Where am I?” She wipes the back of her hand over her cherry-stained lips, smearing them a little more as she takes in her surroundings.

“You're at my apartment,” I tell her, standing over her and folding my arms.

“You brought me to your place?” She looks up at me, and despite everything manages to laugh. “ I have to go.” She goes to get up but I place my hand on her shoulder to keep her right where she is.

“We have to talk first.” I narrow my eyes on her.

“Talk? Talk about what?” She shakes her head.

“About your stupidity.” I let her see how irritated I am, although I probably shouldn’t, right now that irritation feels like a weakness.

“Are you for real?.” She leaps up from my mattress and wobbles on her feet a little as she starts looking around the floor. “Where’s my purse, and my shoes?” she snaps.

“Your shoes are in the living room and your purse is still at the club.”

“The club?” The Vault.

“Yeah, the Vault, where you were last night with that scumbag who spiked your drink.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” She shakes her head and massages her temple.

“Last night, you came to the Vault with an older guy, and I watched him slip a pill into your drink,” I speak slowly and clearly so she takes in what I’m saying.

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