Page 4 of Trusting Skulls

Chapter One

Lexie

The moment my conscious mind awakes, I roll over, reaching for the trash can I keep beside my bed. When I don’t find it, I reluctantly open my eyes. Fuck, it’s bright.

I kick out of the bed while holding my hands over my mouth. My gaze frantically searches for a place to vomit.

Fuck. I hurry down the stairs and run smack dab into JD’s chest. He grabs me by my bicep and gently ushers me into the bathroom. He pulls my hair into his fist just in time for me to puke my guts out.

“Oh god,” I groan. It echoes off the bowl and back into my face. Gross.

I’m fighting for my life when his warm hand lands on my back, and he begins to gently rub circles over it. Elizabeth joins us. She runs the water in the sink and then hands me a washcloth as I sit back, lowering the toilet lid.

“I’ll go make you some toast. I think you’d feel better with something on your stomach,” she says.

My hand reaches out, and I flush away last night’s bad decisions. JD gently reaches under my arms and helps me to my feet.

“I’m fine,” I tell him.

“Sounds like it,” he agrees, but he continues to steady me as we stand. “You done?”

I nod.

He walks me out of the bathroom and guides me to sit on the couch. When I begin to look around the room, I gasp, jumping from my seat. “Where are we?” I move closer to the floor-to-ceiling windows for a better view.

“The mountains.”

“I see that. Why are we here?” I glance behind me as Elizabeth sets a plate with toast and a cup of tea on the coffee table.

JD sits down and pats the spot beside him. “Sit down. We’ll talk.”

My gaze goes back to the window. There’s nothing but trees and mountains for miles.

What in the actual fuck?

“Come on,” he encourages again.

I turn, hugging myself. Maybe they know I fucked up. That I’m the one responsible for his dad getting inside his house the night I stayed with them.

Elizabeth motions for me to join them on the couch. Eventually I give in, plopping down between them. The guilt makes me curl in on myself.

“The club has decided you need a break.”

I begin to shake my head. “I don’t need a vacation. I’m fine. I need to get home. My parents are coming today.”

“Jackson left a note with his phone number on the kitchen table. He’ll explain everything to them when they call.”

“But …”

“No buts. It’s this or I tell the authorities about the drugs you stole at the party,” JD says frankly.

Instantly my feelings are hurt, and I try to stand. He grabs my wrist, stopping me. I focus on the coffee table.

“I’m not done.”

Gently, he pulls me down. I continue to stare straight ahead, keeping my arms folded.

I have no right to be mad at him after what I did, but it still hurts. I thought he liked me. Why would he threaten to turn me over to the cops?

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