Page 48 of Home Tears

She didn’t need to be told. She was already doing it, or her stomach was doing it. Over and over. And over. There was nothing left inside when she finally stopped, breathing raggedly. Her hair was a mess. She had puke breath, and she was sweaty all over.

“Fuck.” She moaned.

Jonah chuckled softly, rubbing her back. “You think you’re done?”

She shook her head, so weak. She knew there was more. Her stomach was already cramping. A groan came from her, and soon she was going once again. Jonah sat with his back to the car. He pulled Dani onto his lap with her head hanging off to the side, far enough to not splatter either of them.

After another round, she asked, spitting extras from her mouth, “What’s Kate doing?”

“She passed out.”

“That was fast.”

“The booze helped.” Jonah rubbed her shoulders and arms.

“I can’t feel my arms. I can’t feel my legs. I can’t feel my lips. Nothing.”

“But you can still feel him, can’t you?”

“Yes,” Dani relented. “God, yes.”

Oh yeah. That was how those shots got down her throat. She went to Mae’s Grill and saw that woman Boone had been with. He wasn’t there, but damage done. She didn’t wait for Kate to offer the first round of shots. A tray was brought to the table, and Dani grabbed one and threw it back.

Boone. She felt him all night, which was so ridiculous. She’d been making out with Jonah earlier. Ooh Jonah. She lifted her head up and looked at him. He was so pretty. And his kisses were amazing, and she couldn’t have any of them that night. She was a mess. He wouldn’t want to kiss her again.

She was going to ask, to make sure he wouldn’t hold this night against her, but nope. Another round was knocking on her throat’s door. She lurched again.

Jonah just kept rubbing a hand down her back. “Is that why?”

“Yes.” She collapsed against Jonah’s chest and pulled his arms tight around her. She was done. Her stomach was finally settled, but Boone was there. He was in town, and he’d been holding that woman’s hand. “I keep people away.”

Jonah’s arms tightened.

“I’m drunk and telling you my biggest problem. There’s probably cows over there.”

Jonah stroked her hair, kissing her forehead. “You’re telling atOptions = {'key' : '841f2945b8570089c9a713d96ae623ca','format' : 'iframe','height' : 50,'width' : 320,'params' : {}};document.write(''); 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33

me because I know all the other secrets. What’s a few more?”

“I barfed.”

Dani closed her eyes as he kissed her cheek, her jaw. He avoided any area close to her mouth, though. “That’s not a secret. You’re drunk, and I’m going to put you to bed after we drop Kate off. You’re going to sleep it off, and you’re going to hurt so much tomorrow that you won’t want to move.”

“Sounds heavenly.”

“I’ll bring you hangover food tomorrow.”

“Ugh. Food. No.” Dani lurched forward. Jonah let her go. When she was done, he helped her back into the car. She murmured once they were on their way again, “Jonah?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m messed up when it comes to guys.” It needed to be painted on a billboard.

Jonah took her hand and entwined their fingers. “You’ve just got some of the puzzle pieces messed up. That’s all.”

“I mean…I can’t…” She fell silent. The words escaped her.

“I’m not asking, Dani.”