Page 71 of His Heart

I got up and left the bar, Joel’s arm still around me. My sense of unease grew, but it was taking all my concentration to walk straight. Leaning against him helped, so what was the harm in him holding me up? I’d probably fall if he wasn’t there. It was fine.

We walked up the street and I found myself being hoisted into the back of a big pickup truck. My phone rang and I pulled it out, squinting at the name on the screen. Sebastian?

“Hey, Sebby,” I said. “What’s up, baby?”

“Brooke?” Sebastian said. “Are you okay?”

“I’m so good,” I said. “So good.”

One of Joel’s friends smacked his arm. “Dude, that’s probably her boyfriend.”

Joel shrugged him off. “Who the fuck cares?”

It seemed like there were more people in the truck than there should be and I realized I wasn’t the only girl. When had these other girls showed up? God, I was fucked up.

“I didn’t even see them,” I said. “They’re all so pretty. Why are you so pretty?”

“What?” Sebastian asked. “Didn’t see who? Brooke, where are you?”

The truck rolled down the street and the wind blew through my hair. I leaned my head back and laughed.

“Dunno,” I said. “Driving.”

“What the fuck is going on?” Sebastian asked. “Who are you with?”

I turned to Joel. “Who are you?”

He grinned. “That guy bothering you, sugar?”

I laughed, like he’d just told the most hilarious joke.

“Brooke, for fuck’s sake, where are you?” Sebastian asked.

I looked around at the scenery whizzing by. Lights flashing. I blinked hard and tried to focus, but everything was blurry. “On a road. I don’t know. I’m free tonight, Seb. I have to let it all go.”

“I need to know where you are,” Sebastian said.

The sharp note of alarm in his voice cut through my intoxication and I turned to Joel. “Where are we going?”

“Just for a drive,” Joel said. “You’re okay. I’ve got you.”

I giggled. The truck pulled onto the highway and picked up speed. I turned around and held onto the edge of the bed, facing forward so the air blew my hair back.

I didn’t remember hanging up on Sebastian, but at some point, I was no longer talking to him. Joel’s arms were around my waist, holding me like he was trying to keep me in the bed of the truck. I held up my arms and leaned into the wind, laughing.

“Careful, Brooke.”

“Goddammit, she’s fucking crazy.”

“What is she doing?”

“Holy shit, hold onto her.”

Maybe I was crazy. I didn’t care.

Someone was helping me out of the truck, but I didn’t remember stopping. I had no idea where we were. I stumbled as I got down. Arms held onto me. Didn’t make sense. What time was it? When had we stopped driving? Where was Sebastian?

I tried to ask, but my words came out in an incoherent jumble.

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