Page 28 of Unforgettable
I ran my hands through my hair, blowing out a huge breath. “I can’t do this. I’ve got to get out of here.” I loosened my tie, ready to tear it off. The fucking thing felt like it was choking me.
Lucas handed me his flask. “Drink. I shouldn’t be giving this to you, but you need to calm your nerves.”
I poured whiskey into my mouth. The smooth liquid slid down my throat and kept going, warming my chest. My pulse was all over the place. My stomach felt like someone had used me as a punching bag, and my legs felt wobbly. The small amount of whiskey did nothing to ease any of that.
Lucas grabbed the flask before I emptied out his stash. I’d forgotten mine at home for good reason.
He took a swig then pocketed the flask inside his suit pocket. “We should go back out there.”
I clutched my chest. “You’ve got to stay at my side.” He was like a brother to me, and honestly, he was the only one close to me that I could trust.
He glanced at me in the mirror. “I’ll be there when you fall.”
Tears threatened. “When I fall?”
“It’s going to happen,” he said seriously. “And that’s okay. Come on. I hear the preacher talking.”
All I heard was a droning sound, like bees were buzzing in my ears. Nevertheless, I followed him out, my breathing labored. I swore I was about to pass out. That fall he’d just spoken of was about to happen.
I shuffled behind Lucas at a slow pace, and as I looked out at the crowd, my gaze fell onher. Haven’s red hair was pulled up off her shoulders, exposing her long neck. Those emerald eyes were glued to me. Suddenly, “Follow the Yellow Brick Road” started in my head.
What the hell is happening to me?
Haven blinked slowly, sadness washing over her. Or maybe it was pity. Either way, that noose around my neck loosened for a mere second until my eyes landed on the man beside her. Then I was clenching my fists.
The senator had no business being there. I whipped my head to Franklin.
The preacher stopped talking, diverting his attention to me.
Franklin rushed up to the gray-haired preacher and said something to him. Then his long legs carried him over to me.
Lucas and Franklin escorted me back toward the bathroom, but instead of the restroom, Franklin went into the preacher’s office.
As soon as the three of us were inside, Franklin closed the door.
I paced like a madman. “What is Senator Hale doing here?”
Franklin unbuttoned his suit jacket. “The whole town is here. So let’s not cause trouble today.”
“He doesn’t belong here,” I said with a growl.
Franklin could never find evidence that the senator had been responsible for making sure James Enterprises didn’t operate. All Franklin had was an employee’s word that had worked at the water board.
Lucas clutched my arm. “Relax. Franklin’s right. Everyone, including the senator, is paying their respects.” Lucas handed me his flask again.
This time, I did drain all the alcohol in the hopes that the burn sliding down my throat would calm me.
Franklin raised an eyebrow.
I shrugged. I didn’t give a damn about etiquette or how it would look if I stumbled out of the pastor’s office, although the small amount of whiskey wouldn’t affect me in the least.
I wiped the back of my mouth with my hand. “If he so much as makes one comment that I don’t like, then you’re going to have to hold me back.”
Both of them nodded.
I took in a few big gulps of air then stalked out, returning to my seat, not looking at the senator or his beautiful daughter.
Franklin and Lucas followed.
