Page 24 of Hush (Fighting Fate)

I thought I’d sobered up after vomiting, but apparently not enough. I rolled my eyes, really not wanting to have that conversation. Turning the key in the lock again, I pushed the door open and walked inside.

Heading straight for the shower, I stripped and stepped under the hot spray, allowing it to wash everything away. All the horrid feelings. All the confusion. All the fear.

When I was done, I felt exceedingly tired and well and truly ready for bed. Trying not to stumble out the bathroom, I hit the light switch and shuffled towards my room.

Movement in my mom’s room caught my eye, snapping my brain wide awake in a heartbeat. When I realized it was Aaron, I blanched. What the hell was he doing in our parent’s room?

“What are you doing?” I demanded, my tone strangely coming out sounding accusatory, but then again, I meant it to.

Aaron spun around so quickly I was surprised he didn’t get whiplash. “Not that it’s any of your business, but I was looking for Dad’s blue tie. I’ve got an interview tomorrow.”

I cocked my eyebrow. Somehow I found that hard to believe. Aaron didn’t want a job. He was the laziest person I knew.

With my care factor dropping to zero, I rolled my eyes and went to bed, making sure I sent Mia a quick text to tell her I was home safe.

***

My head announced its displeasure the second I woke on Saturday morning – or maybe I should say afternoon, because it was definitely borderline. It took about five seconds for all the memories from the night before to come rushing back to me, and then the heat to fill my cheeks.

I kissed Corey. I kissed Corey then walked out without saying goodbye. Then what had I done? I’d practically wrapped myself around Mitch! Mitch of all people! Oh my god! What Corey must’ve thought when he came out and saw me like that. I groaned, burying my face in my hands.

I’d be lucky if he ever looked at me again.

Rolling over, I grabbed my cell from the bedside table. Four missed calls from Mia, and six text messages. Shit.

I quickly scrolled through the worried messages. They ranged from, where are you? Are you ok?, to, Corey said you left with some guy with tats?! Pls tell me ur ok.

I sighed. Good job, Kaeli. Dig yourself out of this one. Finding Mia’s number, I hit ‘call’.

Mia answered on the second ring. “Kaeli?”

“Hey.”

“Oh my god. Are you okay? I’ve been worried sick,” she rushed. I could hear low voices in the background.

“Yeah, I’m fine. I’m sorry I baled on you. I did text you though…”

The voices grew louder through the phone. “Hang on,” Mia said, then I heard shuffling sounds, like she was on the move. “That’s better. Why did you leave? I thought you were having fun. I mean, you seemed to be into Corey alright.”

I groaned. I didn’t want her to remind me. “That was such a mistake. I can’t believe I let him kiss me. I’ve got so much going on, my head’s a mess. Shit. Was he upset with me?”

There was a pause for a few seconds before she answered. “I don’t know. I think he was worried more than anything. To be honest, I’m a little angry with him. So’s Jace.”

“What? Why?”

“Kaeli, he saw you with a guy none of us have ever seen before. A guy with tats and piercings. You were drunk, and he just let you leave with him.”

This was just getting worse! “Don’t blame Corey. He asked if I was okay – if I wanted him to walk me home, but I told him I was fine.”

“Why would you do that? Who was the guy, Kaeli?”

I chose my words carefully. “He’s kind of a business associate of Ken’s. I wouldn’t have left with him if I didn’t think I was safe, Mia. You know that. Yes, I was drunk, but I could still use my brain.”

My words made me pause. I remembered the conclusion I’d come to the night b

efore. I still wasn’t certain about Mitch’s intentions, but I truly believed he didn’t want to hurt me. Why, I didn’t know. It was just a gut feeling.

“So, he wasn’t some random stranger you just met on the street?”

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