Page 18 of Second Shot

And not just any drug; the mother of all drugs. Sam’s always been a partier, but I’d never have thought he’d touch the stuff. Shit, he’s still a month away from being able to go to the barslegally.

“Relax, dork. It’s Friday night,” Sam says, patting the couch for Amber to joinhim.

And she freakingdoes.

“We’re just having a little fun. Not hurting anyone.” Sam picks up a beer bottle from the table, lifting it to his lips, as he drapes his arm over Amber’sshoulder.

Disappointment and anger mixes with my initialshock.

Sam has been acting odd the past few months. Staying out for days at a time. Sleeping when he is home. More irritable than normal. I thought it was just the pressure my dad put on him to get a job. Be a responsible adult. But now I’m wondering if it isn’t somethingmore.

Kane’s gaze hasn’t left me. His dark hair, which usually falls in dark waves across his forehead, is pushed off his face, and his brows knit together as he takes me in, his expression severe. I can’t read his thoughts, but what I want to see is guilt. Because there’s no way this shit was my brother’sidea.

“You’re both idiots, you knowthat?”

Kane winces, but Sam’s attention is zeroed in on theballgame.

“Amber, let’sgo.”

Wrapping her skinny body around Sam, she meets my gaze with a look of triumph. “Your brother’s right. It’s Friday night. Come on, Brynne, loosenup.”

Loosen up? Is sheserious?

Sam snickers, glancing back at me. “Yeah, loosen up,dork.”

I love my brother. More than anyone in this shitty world. But I hate what he’s become since he started hanging out with the man who’s watching me with stormy eyes filled withguilt.

I shake my head, spinning on my heels, and I storm back up thestairs.

“Brynne,” Kane’s deep voice growls out behindme.

“Get lost,Madden.”

“Damn it, Brynne. Wait.” He grabs my arm, spinning me around, so that I’m practically nose to nose withhim.

I should look away, not tempt the predator lurking behind the blue eyes that stare down at me. Instead, I jut my chin out at himdefiantly.

“What?” I do my best to ignore the heat of his touch, but it’s nearly impossible. It sizzles through me. Hot. Demanding.Tempting.

“Let meexplain.”

“Explain? Explain what?” I glare at him, pouring all my disappointment, all my fear for Sam into the look. “I always knew you were bad news. I just didn’t know howbad.”

His nostrils flare and he holds my gaze, something warring behind his eyes. He releases me, then drags his hands over hisface.

“My dad is going to flip when he findsout.”

He lets out a slow breath. “Are you going to tellhim?”

The way he asks, I wonder if he wants meto.

I should. But I know what he’d do. Hisgolden boy, Kane, might get a slap on the wrist. But it would be worse for Sam. My father’s wrath is always worse for my brother. If he thought for even a second Sam was doing drugs, he’d kick him out of the house. He already threatened to when Sam dropped out of university lastyear.

“No.” I push on his chest, which considering I’m almost a foot shorter and he outweighs me by a hundred pounds, is prettypointless.

He doesn’t budge. Just looms over me, all brooding andintense.

“You want to screw up your own life, fine. But don’t drag my brother down withyou.”

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