Page 7 of Stay With Me
She squeals when I toss her in next to Noah, then I slam the door before she can cuss me out.
Fucking hell.I didn’t sign up for this bullshit, but when my littlesister called and needed a ride, I couldn’t say no. So I dragged Landen out to come help since I knew Magnolia would be a handful.
“You can’t just throw me ’round like a rag doll,” she slurs once I hop in the passenger’s seat.
Landen backs out of the driveway while Magnolia continues running her mouth. He gives me a sideways grin and steals a glance at her like a lovesick puppy.
“Are you listenin’ to me?” She leans forward and flicks my ear since I ignore her. Once she gives up, she rests her arms on the back of the seat as Landen drives us down the dark country road.
I tilt my head to where she’s hovering and get a whiff of her coconut shampoo. Even drunk off her ass, Magnolia Sutherland still smells like fucking heaven.
And I hate it.
“Tryin’ not to,” I murmur.
After five minutes of driving, Magnolia covers her mouth. “Oh shit.”
“Oh shit,what?” Landen asks in a panic.
“Pull over!” Noah yells.
When Landen jerks my truck to the side of the road, we jump out. Noah helps Magnolia down, and the moment she bends over, she empties her stomach.
I shake my head. “Fuck. How much did y’all drink?”
Noah holds Magnolia’s ponytail and rubs her back. “I only had a few, but she was takin’ shots in between playin’ beer pong.”
“I’m totally fine.” Magnolia stands a moment later, wiping her mouth and chin.
I snort at her ability to act normal two seconds after throwing up.
Her dark brown hair is a wild mess, her makeup is smeared, and her white top is covered in beer stains.
But still, she’s the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen.
And equally off-limits.
I try to keep my distance, but she’s been around our family foras long as I can remember, so it makes it hard. Wherever Noah is, Magnolia’s close by.
“No pukin’ your guts out in the truck,” Landen warns. “No one wants to smell that. You good?”
“Definitely!” She puts a finger to her nose, then switches hands and does it again. “Practically sober now. If I knew how to drive a stick shift, I could drive y’all home myself! But no one will teach me.” She pushes out her bottom lip in the most adorable pout.
Landen laughs, holding the door open and motioning for her to get back inside. “Even if you did, Tripp doesn’t let chicks drive his truck. It’s a rare beauty.”
“Wow, sexist much?” she scolds.
“It’s a 1974 Ford 250 Highboy Crew Cab! I’ve been workin’ on it since my freshman year,” I defend. “The only reason Landen’s allowed to drive it is because he helped me restore it and knows I’ll kick his ass if he treats it badly.”
“That’s right, baby!” He waves his fingers at her. “These aren’t only good for hand necklaces.”
“You’re gonna make me throw up again.” Magnolia makes a gagging noise as he helps her into the back seat. She stumbles slightly, and Landen snorts at how drunk she clearly is.
“Ma’s gonna kill you,” he taunts Noah when Magnolia drapes across the bucket seat.
She shoots him a death glare. “Not if she doesn’t know.”
“There’s no way she ain’t gonna hear the four of us walkin’ upstairs, especially with your drunken asses trippin’ along,” I say, then buckle up again.
