Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 107803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
“Here. Rinse your mouth out, Lilibeth.”
I took the bottle with shaking hands. It was strange how I suddenly felt a bit sober. Maybe it was because I’d just thrown up every ounce of alcohol I’d consumed.
“Moreen? Ensley?” I called out, attempting to look around without getting sick again.
Caden put his arm around my waist and guided me to the open door of his truck. “They’re in the back seat already.”
He held out his hand and helped me into the passenger seat.
“I really appreciate you guys doing this,” he said. I looked over and saw Jack and Steve standing behind him. “I could just have my brother drive me over tomorrow to pick up Ensley’s truck.”
Jack waved him off. “It’s not a problem at all. We’ll just follow you.”
I dropped my head back against the headrest and willed my stomach to settle down. If I got sick in Caden Wilde’s truck, I would never hear the end of it.
Caden got in, started the vehicle, and began to drive off. I could hear someone already snoring lightly in the back, and I closed my eyes, willing myself not to get sick again. I thought the truck’s motion would make me throw up; instead, it lulled me to sleep.
Caden
Ensley woke up and tapped me lightly on the shoulder. “Where’s my truck?”
“Jack’s following us back to the ranch.”
She sighed and leaned back.
“Let me know if you need to throw up.”
Laughing, she replied, “Please. I’ve never thrown up while out drinking, and I’m not about to start now.”
I rolled my eyes. “I don’t know where Moreen lives.”
“Just bring them both to my place. We’ll sort it out tomorrow…”
Her voice slowly drifted off, and she was asleep once again. I glanced over to look at Lilibeth. She had her head leaning against the passenger window and was, for now, also sleeping. The faster I got us back to the ranch, the better.
After getting Moreen and Ensley into my sister’s place, I thanked Jack and Steve for driving the truck to the ranch. I insisted they take some gas money, then reminded them how to get back to the ranch’s main road.
Lilibeth was still asleep in my truck, and I had every intention of bringing her into my sister’s place…but the devil on my shoulder had other plans. I knew I’d regret it in the morning, but the thought of her being here with my equally drunk sister and Moreen didn’t sit right with me.
A light snow started falling as I pulled into my driveway, and I opted to park outside the garage so I could get Lilibeth out of the truck more easily. She didn’t even wake up when I lifted her and carried her into the house.
I took her to the guest bedroom on the second floor of my ranch-style house and placed her on the bed. I pulled off her boots and covered her with the blanket folded at the foot of the bed. I got a glass of water and a bottle of aspirin, leaving both on the bedside table. Then…I just stood there and watched her sleep. I should have been pissed that the three of them cost me a night I was looking forward to with Millie.
Or had I been looking forward to it?
I’d gone to the bar Thanksgiving night as well…and ended up leaving before Millie even got off work. I was pretty damn sure I would’ve left early tonight, as well.
Lilibeth let out a soft moan, and I held my breath as I waited to see if she was going to throw up again. She was even more beautiful asleep, even with puke on her clothes and, most likely, in her hair. I hadn’t been able to grab it fast enough before she started to hurl.
I took a step back and softly whispered, “Sweet dreams, Flower Child.”
Turning, I shut the door behind me. I paused for a moment, then went back in, heading straight to the bathroom attached to the bedroom. Grabbing the small trash can, I left the light on and closed the door most of the way, leaving it cracked just a bit so some light would spill into the bedroom. I didn’t want her to wake up and freak out in unknown surroundings. I set the trash can next to the bed, then left again.
I could claim my plans for the night were ruined by the three drunk women, but the moment I saw Lilibeth in that bar—particularly, when I saw her with Mike—my plans had changed.
Instead of anticipating an easy night of no-strings sex, I sat at a table and watched them for a bit, until I could determine if one of them wasn’t drinking. At first, it seemed Ensley was the designated driver, and I felt sure she would remain responsible. My sister usually was.