Page 56 of Make Your Shot
Willow begins to walk past us and Mia pushes away from the wall, clearly unsteady on her feet as she sways. I step closer, sliding my arm along her back to guide her over to where I’m parked. Willow walks right past the car, not paying attention to anything.
I stop at the passenger’s side, opening the door as I help Mia in. She calls to her friend, who whips her head around and stumbles back in our direction. Mia smiles up at me as she leans her head back against the seat and her eyelids flutter shut.
“You’re my hero.”
I brush some hair from her face and stare down at her for a moment, memorizing the way she looks. I don’t drink really anymore and I can’t fault her for enjoying her early twenties as a single woman out with her friend. I just feel so much better having her in my car right now, knowing that she’s safe.
Willow pauses by the backdoor and I push Mia’s door closed before opening the back for Willow. She gives me a smile, her eyes rolling slightly. “Thanks,” she half hiccups and flops into the backseat. I watch her fora moment, making sure she gets strapped in before she folds over to the side.
I let out a breath, shutting the door behind her. I swear to God, she’d better not throw up in there. I walk around the front of the car, climbing in behind the wheel and turning to look at Mia. “Where to?”
She doesn’t say anything as she sits with her head back against the seat. I stare at her for a moment, my eyes widen and my heart races in my chest. The rise and fall of her chest captures my attention for a moment before I let out my own breath of relief.
“Mia.”
She clears her throat and whispers, “Yeah, love?”
Love?I can’t get hung up on that word right now. Maybe she uses it with everyone when she’s been drinking. I give my head a slight shake to knock those thoughts from my head and refocus on the task in front of me. “I need your address, pup.”
“I’m not ready to go there,” she half mumbles.
I swallow the lump in my throat, glancing at her sleeping friend in the backseat before looking back at Mia. Her head rolls as she turns it to face me, but her eyelids don’t lift.
“Take me home.” She pauses, letting out a soft breath. “With you.”
My throat constricts as my eyes travel over the planes of her face. Leaning forward, I reach across her and grab the seat belt to pull it across her body. “Okay,” I whisper, my voice strained as I secure her seatbelt before sitting back in my own seat.
The drive is silent, except for both of them snoringas I head back to my house. Neither of them stir as I pull up the driveway and into the garage. I kill the engine, glancing at Mia and then back at Willow. Turning away, I sigh and climb out of the car, making my way to the back. I pull open the door, not sure how the hell I’m supposed to wake her up.
“Willow,” I say loudly, poking her shoulder. “Willow, wake up.”
Willow lifts one eyelid to peer at me. “What?”
“I need to get you inside.”
She runs her tongue over her top teeth. “I need a drink.”
“Okay. I’ll get you water as soon as I get you inside.”
“Yeah, okay,” she sighs, pulling herself into a seated position. She struggles with the seatbelt for a second before she undoes it. She’s a bit unsteady as she attempts to climb out of the car, so I hold my arm out for her in an effort to help. “I can see why Mia likes you.”
I stare at her for a moment, not commenting on her remark as I feel the familiar twisting in my chest. Willow gets out of the car and I help her into the house, immediately walking her to the couch where she flops down across it. She’s snoring before I get the chance to get her water, so I grab one anyway and leave it on the coffee table for her.
I toss a blanket over her body before heading back out to the garage to get Mia. I grab another bottle of water on the way and tuck it in my back pocket for her. She’s still asleep when I open the front door.
“Pup, we’re home,” I say softly as I unbuckle her seatbelt. “Let’s get you inside, yeah?”
She turns her head to face me, a smile lifting her lips as she raises a hand and cups my cheek. Her eyelids crack open, but I can see the colors of her irises peeking through. “You’re a good man, Caleb Ford. The best man, really.”
“You’re sweet when you’re drunk,” I chuckle as I grab her clutch and loop her heel straps with my finger.
“I’m always sweet.”
“You are,” I murmur, my eyes traveling down to her perfect pink lips. My nostrils flare, a shiver trailing down my spine as her thumb brushes against the corner of my mouth. “Lean forward.”
Mia slowly sits up straight as I slide my arm behind her back. I slip the other beneath her bent knees and lift her into the air in one fluid moment. “Oh,” she breathes as I hold her against my chest, her arms moving to link around the back of my neck. “I can walk.”
“I’d rather carry you,” I whisper, reveling in the way she feels in my arms. I know she can walk, but she’s tired and drunk. The last thing I need is for her to fall and get hurt. I know I can keep her safe if she’s in my arms.
