Page 105 of The Young & the Sinner

I was drunk.

I swayed on my feet and felt strong arms wrap around me from behind. “Whoa there, Olivia. How much have you had to drink?”

I shrugged, or at least, I tried to. Turning back, I found Sam’s frowning face. I ran my fingers between his eyebrows, trying to smooth out the wrinkle I found there. “You’re too young to have wrinkles,” I said.

His lips twitched in a small smile. “Uh, thanks?”

I didn’t think I was complimenting him, but okay.

“Oh, no. How did this happen?” Lizzie said in front of me.

I turned to her and smiled. She grimaced. “Max isn’t going to be happy. Like at all. Why did you drink so much, Olive? I know I said you can go all out, but you know I was mostly kidding.”

“Mason is on a date right now,” I slurred. “Probably having sex with her, too. I thought there was something between us. I was wrong.”

“Who’s Mason?” Sam asked.

Lizzie didn’t answer him. Instead she said, “We need to get her home.”

“You think that’s a good idea? Didn’t she said she live with her mom’s friend? Max? Would he be mad to find her like this?”

Lizzie looked at him sharply. “He wouldn’t hurt her if that’s what you’re thinking. He would never hurt her.”

I frowned at Sam, too. “Max is a good man,” I defended. Though I was probably doing a crappy job at it, considering my tongue felt so heavy inside my mouth, my words were coming out all gibberish.

“Can’t you take her home to your dorm?” Sam asked

“I can’t. I told Lindsey she could have the room tonight with her boyfriend. I was spending the night with you, remember?”

I looked up at Lizzie. But it was taking too much effort to hold my head up, so I looked back down again and said, “Is Lindsey nice to you? I’m sorry we couldn’t be roommates this year. I just didn’t want to leave Max, you know?”

And I suddenly wanted to cry.

Lizzie shook her head. “Yes, she’s nice to me, Olivia.” She must have caught the tears in my eyes, because she was talking to me like one would a child.

“She can spend the night with us, then.”

I shook my head. “I want to go home. Besides, Max is already in bed. It’ll be fine.” I was sure of it.

“Olivia,” Lizzie began, but I cut her off.

“It’s fine. I don’t want to spend the night in some stranger’s bed. I’m not that drunk.” It didn’t really help that I swayed on my feet a little.

Sam looked to Lizzie, as if to say it was her decision. She sighed. “Okay. We’ll sneak you back in. I think I’m going to stay with Olivia for the night. Is that okay?”

“Of course, baby. I’ll pick you up in the morning and we can go out for breakfast or something.”

She nodded and smiled at him.

“Time it is?” I asked. I shook my head. That didn’t come out right.

But Lizzie understood, because she pulled out her phone and cringed. “Not even midnight yet. You really went to town with the alcohol, didn’t you?”

I shrugged. Then Sam carried me up in his arms and I felt like I was going to hurl. I groaned.

“Uh, Olivia, I would really appreciate it if you didn’t get sick on me. Okay? Thanks.”

Lizzie laughed and I laid my head on his shoulder. He had nice shoulders. And he smelled nice, too. He was attractive and obviously smart. I could see why Lizzie liked him. Why couldn’t I like someone like him? Someone my age. Someone attainable. I curled in deeper to him, dreaming of haunting blue eyes.

---