Page 37 of Injustice and Absolution

“Delilah—”

I cut him off, pulling myself from his grasp, turning away from him and holding on to the edge of the workbench with all my might. I can feel the tears forming, but the last thing I want to do is cry like a weak, rejected little girl in front of him.

Unfortunately, all the alcohol I irresponsibly consumed tonight has other plans. And it pisses me off.

My entire body vibrates with the force of my unwanted sob before my piss-poor self-confidence rears her ugly head and takes possession of what remaining control I have over myself.

“I don’t understand why no one wants me.” The fear that’s been poking at my subconscious for weeks is finally vocalized.

I’m not even saying it to Drew, but to the universe.

“Delilah, I never said I don’t want you. Because,fuck, I do. You’re gorgeous, for one. The way your body moves makes me feel things I’ve never felt before. But you’ve been drinking, and I refuse to try anything that you may regret in the morning.”

He’s right. He asked me out on a goddamn date before I freaked out and tried kissing him. That should have been enough to tell me he wants me at least in some way.

“I’m... I’m sorry, Drew.God, I’m such an idiot.” I run my hands down my face in frustration.

“You’re not—”

“I never drink... Not like this.” I turn to him, finally, swaying as my state of inebriation heightens.

“Hey, don’t beat yourself up. It happens to everyone from time to time.”

Cupping my face in his hands, he wipes my tears away with the pads of his thumbs. He raises his eyebrows as if to ask me if I’m okay.

“Okay,” I nod, trying hard to stifle my tears.

“Okay.”

“I should probably get to bed,” I admit, my head now swimming with the effects of alcohol as well as a near mental breakdown.

“You should,” Drew agrees.

I walk to the bottom step leading from the garage to the house, but my foot completely misses when I try to climb them.

“Uh...” I look back at Drew who uncomfortably rubs the back of his neck. “Do you want some help getting situated?”

It suddenly feels like my entire face pulls down with sorrow.

“Probably...” I whimper.

Drew smiles, unable to hide the slightest bit of amusement. When he reaches me, he guides me up the few steps into the house with his hand on the small of my back. He doesn’t let go until we’re up in my room.

When we get there, he locates my robe hanging from my bedpost and holds it out to me. He turns like a gentleman, granting me privacy as I undress and wrap it around my naked body.

The last thing I remember after I climb into bed is him pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead and whispering, “Good night,” in my ear.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

DELILAH

My eyes squint against the morning sun, glaring through my windows, as it rises higher in the sky.

I have no idea what time it is; all I know is it’s too early to be awake. My head is pounding as though I smashed it into the wall over and over again.

What the fuck happened last night?

My eyes fly open when a memory of me throwing myself at Drew enters my brain, trips, and takes a few painful rolls down the hill before nose-diving straight into the land of unfortunate mistakes.

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