Page 43 of The Riley Effect

“He just kept making stupid comments.” He tries to look down at his shoes, but I steady his eyes on mine. He turns his head and presses a kiss to the center of my palm. I feel like it gives him the strength to continue. “About how I shouldn’t be playing hockey because I’m half black.” I don’t realize he braided my hair until he lets it fall against my chest. “He just made one too many comments.”

I pull Jalen’s face closer to mine so he doesn’t miss a word I’m about to tell him. “Fuck him. You were pretty amazing out there, and I know a little guy who thought it was pretty cool to see someone out there who looked like him. You’re an inspiration to a lot of kids. You should be proud of that.”

“Thanks, Angel. I really needed to hear that.” His shy tone breaks my heart. This man normally oozes confidence, but an old wound can only be picked at so many times until it bleeds over.

He takes my bottle of tequila and drinks a good amount before handing it back to me, giving me a look that doesn’t do a thing to ease the anxiety that buzzes through my body.

We’ve been at the party for a few hours when I grab Indy’s hand and drag her to the bathroom.

“I need to go home.” The distraction of the party hasn’t eased my anxiety one bit. And the memories of that night are starting to creep in. I need to get out of here.

“Are you okay, Vee? You’ve seemed on edge all night.”

That’s because I am. This is the night I lost my parents. When I got to Westvale, I decided it would be best to keep that fact to myself. Everyone loves Halloween, and when they learn the circumstances around my parents’ deaths, they only want to coddle me. I can’t handle the pity.

“I just don’t feel great. I’m gonna go call a cab and head home.”

“I’ll go with you. Just let me tell Marcus.” Indy can tell I’m about to protest, so she holds up her hand as a signal that I won’t be going home alone. “You’ve had a lot to drink tonight. There is no way I’m letting you get in a car with a stranger.”

I pick up the bottle of tequila I’ve been carrying around all night, and for the first time, I notice there’s only a quarter of the amber liquid left.

“You’re right. I probably shouldn’t go home alone.”

I use my hand as a fan because, all of a sudden, this bathroom feels like a sauna. I open the door to get some air and so Indy can tell her boyfriend we are going home.

We find Marcus sitting on the living room couch. When the room starts to spin, I try to steady myself enough to take theopen seat next to Marcus. Before I can find the balance to do so, Jalen wraps his hand around my waist and pulls onto his lap. I plop down so ungracefully that my dress rides up, and I nearly flash the entire party. Jalen grazes his fingers up my thighs until he reaches the hem of my dress and shimmies the sparkly skirt back down my thighs.

“I didn’t get to tell you before,” he runs his hand down my leg until it’s on the strap that hugs my ankle. “I wish you wore heels more often because these shoes make your legs look so damn good.”

He needs to stop complimenting me on what’s always been my biggest insecurity. He’s starting to become too damn perfect. I normally don’t wear heels because the boost they add to my five-foot-ten frame makes me taller than almost every guy on campus. I love that Jalen isn’t intimidated by the extra inches.

He wraps his masculine hands around my ankle and gently moves his thumb back and forth under the strap of my heel.

“The cab’s almost here,” Indy tells me before she turns to finish her conversation with her boyfriend.

“You’re leaving already?” Jalen asks. He looks sad.

I nearly fall off this lap as I lean over the arm of the couch where my bottle of tequila sits. When Jalen sees how little liquor is left in the bottle, he smiles.

“Someone decided to let loose tonight,” I swear his playful smile does more to me than any amount of alcohol could.

“Will you come home with me?” Entirely embarrassed by my forwardness, I quickly add, “So Indy can stay with Marcus. She hasn’t really been able to see him this week.”

“That liquor sure makes ya bold, Angel, but I’d love to bring you home.” Jalen leans over and whispers something to Marcus, who whispers something to Indy, who then gives me two thumbs up.

Dear lord, what did I just get myself into?

“Your cab is here,” Indy tells Jalen and me. “Text me when you get home.”

I’m guided through the party with Jalen’s hand resting on my lower back. I try to ignore the obvious stares from furious girls and curious guys at Jalen’s intimate touch. The moment the cab pulls away from the baseball house’s driveway, the repercussions of drinking nearly half a bottle of tequila hit.

“Jalen, I think I’m going to be sick.” I’m always so measured, always in control, but with Jalen sitting next to me, I’m spiraling. I would normally be embarrassed to admit I lost control and drank too much, but to admit it tothis man, who I’m sure thought he was going to get lucky tonight, makes it even more embarrassing.

His tattooed forearm lays across my thighs as he rolls down my window. I inhale the clean, small-town air and gaze at the stars as I begin calming myself down. Four in. Seven hold. Eight out. I repeat a couple of times until I feel my stomach ease.

I place my hand on top of Jalen’s, still resting on my thigh and squeeze it tight. “Thank you. I already feel better.”

The intense look in Jalen’s eyes makes me nervous. Does he regret coming back with me? To be fair, I didn’t realize how drunk I was until I got in the car.

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