Page 36 of Wild About You
“My dad cut off my service. I was going to text from someone else’s phone, but I don’t have your number memorized.” She looks at her brother and then reaches out and touches his face. “You look so mad, big brother. I was fine. I can take care of myself.”
A muscle flexes in his cheek. “Yeah? How exactly were you going to get home tonight?”
“River would have brought me home as soon as everyone left.” She yawns and her shoulders slump forward. “I’m really tired all of a sudden. Can you lecture me later?”
“Sure, Ev. I’ll lecture you when it’s more convenient for you.”
Tyler’s jaw flexes as she goes limp next to him. I move in to help steady her. She reeks of alcohol and cigarettes. I hold my breath as I take the other side and we guide her into the car. Tyler’s car doesn’t have a back seat, so I have to squeeze in next to her.
It’s quiet as we head back to the house. Everly rests her head against my shoulder, and I wrap my arms around her so she can use me as a pillow. I watch Tyler, feeling like I’m seeing him and all the stress he’s under more clearly. His hands tighten around the steering wheel, and he mutters under his breath, but I can’t make out anything other than the multiple f-bombs he drops.
“She’s safe,” I say softly, and place my hand on his bicep.
He nods, but the leather creaks under his grip.
* * *
Walking into Tyler’s house the second time is surreal. Three guys wait in the doorway as Tyler helps his sister inside: Jack, Ash, and Declan.
I amble behind him awkwardly unsure if I should wait to talk to him or just go ahead and call an Uber.
Tyler looks over his shoulder while I’m still deciding. “Give me five and I’ll drive you home.”
Declan steps forward on Everly’s other side.
“Declan,” she murmurs happily.
“Hey, Little Sharpie.” He takes some of her weight from Tyler. “This looks like more than one beer.”
“You’re lucky your brother found you and not me,” Jack calls to her back. His dark stare narrows as he watches Tyler and Declan all but carry her up the stairs.
“You’re all hypocrites. You guys drink all the time,” she fires back.
They get her upstairs and disappear, then I’m back to not knowing what to do with myself.
“Where was she?” Ash asks.
“The record store with River.”
“What was he feeding her? Jell-O shots?”
“I don’t know. She said she just had a few beers.”
“She’s gonna be hungover as shit in the morning.” Jack grumbles under his breath as he stalks to the door. “Call me if you guys need anything.”
Ash watches everything with amusement. “Little Sharpie is going to have hell to pay tomorrow. I do not envy her that.”
“Yeah, this whole ‘team of big brothers’ thing is intense,” I say. It’s obvious in the thirty seconds I’ve been here that she has a group of guys, her brother’s teammates, that all care about her and have been helping look out for her. I’m glad for her, but also can’t help but wonder what that must be like. Awesome or overbearing? I’m guessing a little of both.
Ash laughs. He has a way about him that makes the moment feel less tense. “Do you want something to drink?”
“Yeah. That would be great.”
I follow him into the kitchen.
“I have wine or beer, liquor.”
“Alcohol doesn’t sound that great right now,” I admit, picturing Everly’s ashen face.
