Page 33 of Beaten

I opened the door and turned to remind Ashley to lock the door, but she beat me to it.

“I know. I know. Lock the door.” Her eye roll was less than subtle.

Emily didn’t feel any better two hours later, when I went upstairs to use the bathroom, but kept insisting she was okay to drive. I took one look at her and couldn’t, in good conscience, let her. After several minutes of arguing, I put my foot down and made it clear I wouldn’t let her drive home.

“Your options are to stay here a while longer, or let me drive you home. I can pick up your car later.”

She crossed her arms over her chest and kept arguing. “This is stupid. How will I get my car home?”

“One of the guys will help me. You don’t need to worry, just let me take care of the logistics. You’re not looking so good.” Emily glared at me with blood-shot eyes.That didn’t win me any brownie points. “Please Emily, I’m worried about you driving.”

Recognizing she needed me to ask, not demand; I changed tactics. “Let me help you. Please?”

“But…”

Not wanting to argue anymore, I asked, “Would you feel better if I billed you for the extra travel expenses?” I wouldn’t, but I needed her to quit arguing so I could get her home safely. And so I could go home and get some much needed sleep.

I could see her contemplating her options as she stared at me. “I guess so. But it still seems stupid to me. I’m perfect-”

“Then it’s agreed. I’ll drive you home and come back later to get your car.”

“What if I need my keys?” She stood up too quickly and wobbled on her feet. She tried to pretend it hadn’t happened, but I raised my eyebrow to let her know I saw it.

It was a valid question. “Do you have a spare set at your parent’s house?” She nodded. That made it easy. “I’ll have Doug pick up your spare set. Can you let your parents know it’s okay to give them to him?” I could pick up the keys myself when I dropped her off, but I didn’t want to get delayed by herparents.

“Sure.” She sounded like an annoyed teenager, but at least she’d stopped arguing.

“Thank you.” I thought about reminding her this was for the best, but kept my mouth shut. I didn’t think she wanted to hear it. We said goodbye to Ashley, who had been shockingly quiet while Emily and I sorted out the ride home situation. Which was good, I didn’t need her riling Emily up.

We didn’t talk for the first thirty minutes of the ride. I had the radio on but turned down low so it wouldn’t add to her headache. Not liking the silence, I attempted to start a casual conversation, only to have her grumble in response. I told myself it wasn’t personal, but it still sucked. I’d thought she’d fallen asleep, with her head resting against the window, until I heard her sniffle.

“Emily, are you okay?” It was a stupid question, but I didn’t know what else to ask.

“I’m fine.” Her clipped reply made it obvious she was not fine.

“Look, I know you’re upset with me because I didn’t want you driving home in your condition.”

“My condition?” She whipped her head around too fast and closed her eyes while she steadied herself. “I’m hungover, not dying.” Her voice was barely above a whisper.

I only want to help. Why was she being so stubborn?

“Yes, hungover. So much so that you made yourself dizzy just by turning to look at me. That could go bad fast on the road.” I tried to reason with her.

“You’re treating me like a child.” I saw her wipe her cheeks from the corner of my eye. “Reporting my every move toChris, and my parents, not letting me drive, telling me what to do.”

“What? What are you talking about?” I’d checked in with Chris once, to tell him Emily was staying at Ashley’s for the night, but hadn’t said anything else.

“Did you tell Chris I was too drunk to drive home last night?”

“All I told Chris was that you were having such a great time that you thought it’d be easier to stay at Ashley’s rather than come home late. I didn’t mention the drinking.”

Her beautiful, blue, bloodshot eyes opened wide as she realized her mistake. “Oh. I, um, I’m sorry.” She looked out the window.

“It’s okay.” It wasn’t. I didn’t like the idea of her thinking I was like her ex. Not even a little.

I broke the silence after a few minutes, it was still bothering me she thought I was treating her like a child. I remembered Meg complaining about the same thing whenever Jack got too protective or “all bossy” as she liked to call it. He thought he was doing the right thing and being helpful, but she thought he was being overbearing and pushy. I didn’t want Emily to feel that way.

“Emily.” I waited for her to look at me. “I’m sorry if I seemed pushy about driving you home. Maybe I’m being selfish, but I don’t think I could handle watching you get in a car wreck, knowing I could have prevented it.” There I said it. It was as much about me, and my fears, as it was about her.

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