Page 40 of Tempt Me

“All she cared about was that I didn’t inconvenience her. You remember.”

“Don’t be like that,” J.J. said. “She loved us in her own way. She gave us a home—”

“A begrudginghome. One I was delighted to leave when I went to college. One I’m thankful I never needed to go back to. Now, are you two going to take us back to campus, or are we calling a rideshare?”

“Nah, we’ll take you back.” Jevin rose.

J.J. stood. “I really think—”

Jevin put a hand on his twin’s shoulder. “That’s enough, man. She always did walk her own path.”

J.J. nodded, but he didn’t look happy. Neither did Jamila. She grabbed my tray, clanked it against hers, and stormed off toward the trash bin.

When I stood, the world tilted around me. I tried to swing my leg over the bench and wobbled. I grabbed the table to steady myself.

“Hold up, baby girl.” Jamila grasped my elbow. How had she gotten there so fast? Did she have superhuman speed, too, as well as intelligence? “You okay?”

“How much tequila was in those drinks?”

From my other side, J.J.’s arm curled around my waist to support my spaghetti legs. “Folks round here like a strong drink. That second one was probably a bad idea, considering your body weight.”

“She was eating, though,” Jamila said like I wasn’t there. “She shouldn’t be this drunk.”

“She’s probably not much of a drinker. Nurses a glass of wine all night?”

“Goddammit. What am I going to tell her brother?”

I snapped my head up, whacking J.J. in the chin. “Don’t tell Jackson.”

J.J. swore and rubbed his chin. “Dang, girl. That’s gonna leave a mark.”

“How’s your head, baby girl?” Jamila put her hands on my head and felt for a lump.

I imagined she was running her hands through my hair. “Feels nice.” Then she touched a spot that sent searing pain through my foggy brain. “Ouch!”

“Aw. You’re a mess tonight, aren’t you?”

Our faces were close enough that I could’ve leaned forward and kissed her. But she didn’t want to kiss someone as sloppy and childish as I was proving myself to be tonight.

“Yeah,” I said. As if I hadn’t already embarrassed myself enough, a tear slipped down my cheek.

She tilted up my chin and wiped away the wetness. “Let’s get you back to your hotel.”

“My rental’s on campus,” I mumbled.

“She can’t drive,” J.J. protested.

“Take us back to campus,” Jamila said. “I’ll drive her to her hotel, then pick her up in the morning before camp.”

Jamila sat in the back of the SUV with me. Normally, I’d have enjoyed her nearness, but after embarrassing myself getting drunk off two drinks, I slumped in the seat and leaned toward the open window, the humid air blowing in my face to keep nausea at bay.

When they dropped us at my rented Buick, Jamila’s brothers hugged me. They gave Jamila longer hugs and murmured with her for a few minutes. I was too busy berating myself to listen. I’d come here to help Jamila, yet here I was, forcing her to take care of me.

After her brothers left, Jamila drove me the short distance to my hotel. She pulled into a ten-minute parking space in front.

“Need help getting to your room?”

“No, I’m okay.” Digestion and the fresh air had done their job, and I felt steadier. All I wanted was to hide in my room for the next eight hours. Heck, maybe I’d hide for the rest of my life. Jamila would never forget how ridiculous I’d been tonight.

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