Page 35 of Injustice and Absolution

But right now, the way Drew is staring at me makes me feel like I could possibly have a—dare I say—normalrelationship with someone.

Royce’s words from that night come back to me.

“...your life is only just beginning. There are so many incredible experiences ahead of you. Find someone your own age to enjoy them with, kitten. Someone who is worthy of you...”

Could Drew be that person? He’s not exactly my own age, but he’s closer in age to me than Royce.

“Darn,” Drew’s smile droops just before I notice a playful shine in his stare. “I was hoping you’d be as into me as I am you.”

I swallow nervously at his words then chug down the rest of my beer instead of replying.

He feigns hurt when I’m finished, clutching his hands to his chest. I look at him, unable to stifle the amused smile forcing its way out.

“You wound me, madame. I can’t tell if you don’t want to admit that you don’t like me,” he drops his hands from his chest, and his face turns serious again, “or if you’re afraid to tell me you do.”

I can feel my eyes widen at his candor, and as much as I try to control my facial expression, even the large quantity of alcohol I just forced into my system can’t keep his answer from my face.

“Mm-hmm...” A smug grin tugs at the corner of his mouth at the same time as satisfaction glows in his stare. “That’s what I thought...”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about...” I begin, reaching into the cooler for another beer, knowing it’s the wrong way to handle this situation. As I lean down, I look around for Maggie, desperate to grab her attention and lure her over to save me.

But she’s nowhere to be found.Fucking great.I consider pulling out my phone and texting her our secret SOS code we came up with at sixteen when we started going out to bars and other places we certainly didn’t belong at that age.

The emoji of the two girls holding hands.

Like best friends. Like sisters.

We’d use it any time we felt like we were in danger or uncomfortable and wanted to leave.

This doesn’t warrant worrying her like that, however. I’m not in danger, I’m just uncomfortable with the attention he’s giving me. But how the hell can I ever have a normal relationship if I can’t get over this feeling? I need to let it go.

Easier said than done.

And if I’m being honest, I don’t want to admit I may find him mildly attractive. As ridiculous as this sounds, I feel like I’m not being true to Royce.

God, I’m so fucked-up.

“This is literally the last conversation I need to be having right now... Withyouof all people.” I unleash the anger I feel toward myself for being so weak for Royce onto Drew.

As I twist the bottle cap to loosen it, the moisture from the ice bath I just pulled it from causes it to slip from my grasp, dowsing me in beer.

“Shit.”

I stand, bringing the bottle to my lips even as I curse my irresponsible behavior. I walk toward the garage to clean up, and with another sip I reassure myself that this is what kids my age do sometimes.

“Hey,” Drew catches up to me, worry creasing his brow. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you.”

Taking an overexaggerated breath as I continue drunk stomping across the lawn, I look at him.

“You didn’t,” I say finally. “It’s … complicated...”

When we reach the garage, Drew grabs the doorknob before I can get to it and opens the door for me. I expect him to have a cheesy grin on his face to coincide with his helpfulness, but instead, I get a worried, pinched smile.

He still thinks I’m angry at him, and I feel terrible because it was my own dumb words that roused my temper.

“Thank you,” I offer as I walk through the open door.

“Look, again…” he follows me into the garage, closing the door behind us. “I’m sorry if I was over the line.”

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