Page 123 of Until the Ribbon Breaks

“You’re wasted.”

I know that voice.

“Hey, Kass.”

“Are you okay?”

I nod. “I was just leaving.”

“Good,” Emily says before grabbing Brent’s hand and pulling him over to the rest of the group.

“You can’t drive like this,” Kassi murmurs

“Like what?”

“Drunk,” she says. “Come on, I’ll give you a ride.”

With her hands wrapped around my arm to keep me steady, she leads me over to her car.

“Why are you out here all by yourself?”

“I needed to think.”

She unlocks the doors, but I don’t get in. Instead, I turn and lean back against the door, using it to keep myself propped up as I stare at her, bleary-eyed.

“I’m worried about you.”

“Yeah?” I question as I reach out and stroke my knuckles down her cheek because I miss the attention she used to give me. “How worried?”

She reaches up, and I don’t know if she wants to hold my hand or push it away, but I don’t give her a choice when I take it and pull her in closer to me.

“I miss you,” she says softly.

I attempt to smile, but it feels sloppy on my lips. “I miss you too,” I tell her because, shit, I’d say just about anything to feel the love she used to give me. I need to feel that she—hell, anyone—cares about me. To give me any attention at all that takes away this pain inside me.

I’m in so much agony, and I hate it.

“Are your parents home?” I ask, too wasted to tiptoe around what I want.

Her lips turn up in a grin. “No. So ... does this mean you want to get back together?”

The lie easily rolls down my tongue, but before I can give it to her, it gets stuck. I waver for a split second, but it’s enough for her to catch on to.

Her smile drops, and she steps back. “You’re kidding me, right?”

“What?”

“You just want to use me for sex?” When I don’t move to respond, she lashes out loudly, “Why are you such an asshole?”

“Because I am!” I yell in frustration before pushing myself off of her car and walking over to mine. I should turn around and apologize for being a dick to her, but misery begins spilling into my emptiness, and suddenly, my throat tightens in emotion, preventing me from saying anything, so I don’t even bother trying.

“Wait,” she calls out as she follows after me. “Don’t drive.”

She’s too nice, but it’s the wrong kind of nice.

“I’m serious.” She holds out her palm. “Give me your keys.”

“Kassi,” Emily shouts from down at the dock, “just let him leave.”

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