Free Second Nature by Ae Watson Page B

the
memory of them. But I was tired of my friends not taking this seriously.
    “Don't worry about my
brother. Worry that Linds is never going to forgive you for being with Vince
behind her back. Trust me, I know that feeling.” She hiccupped and got up just
as Rita slumped down into the spot Sage had left.
    “You’re going to find
Ashton?” Her gray eyes were half open. “Did I hear that right?”
    “If I can.”
    Her plump lips lifted
into a lazy smile. “I think me and him would make a super hot couple.” She laid
a hand on my arm and nodded her head. “When you find him, be a good friend and
tell him that for me, kay?”
    It was the last straw. I
hated Marguerite La Croix and maybe Sage too.
    I jumped up and walked
through the party to the beach, pausing for a double take of Andrew with
Brooke, a senior, on his shoulders. She was wrestling in the air against Sierra
who was on Jake’s shoulders. Andrew laughed and mocked Jake who gave me a look.
It was the moment Brooke and Andrew needed to shove Sierra off Jake and dunk
them both.
    Instead of pondering my
friends and their lack of care for our pending court dates, I turned and ran
for the beach. I rounded the house and yard, taking the side path up to the
driveway where Vincent was struggling with getting Lindsey into his car.
    He gave me a look. “She’s
not excited about leaving. Can you leave your car here, and I’ll bring you back
to it when we’re done? I need you to sit in the back with her in case she gets
sick.”
    “Yeah.” I climbed in and
sat in the back with Lindsey.
    She turned and grinned.
“Lain, is the party pooper making you leave too?”
    “No.”
    She leaned in, staring
into my eyes. “What’s wrong?” She had no depth perception so she ended up
pressing our faces together and speaking straight into my mouth. “Are you mad?”
    “No,” I lied. There was
no point.
    Her eyes lowered to my
lips. She smiled wide and leaned in, pressing her glossy mouth against mine. It
tasted like cherry vanilla and greased half my face before I could shove her
back.
    “I kissed a girl and I
liked it.” She laughed and fell back into the seat, thumping her head on the
door. Somehow that was even funnier.
    Vincent started the car
with a heavy sigh. “Sorry. She’ll be asleep before we get home.”
    “It’s fine. I love the
fact my first kiss was my drunk best friend.”
    He chuckled and drove
off.
    Lindsey was still
giggling away, lost in her own world.
    She was the only one
speaking for the short drive to her house, except it was all nonsense. Her dad
was standing at the front door when we pulled up. He opened the door while she
was still mumbling and drooling on herself. He caught her as she fell forward,
throwing up all over the concrete.
    Vincent sighed in relief.
    “You, young lady, are in
some trouble.” Her dad dragged her through her own vomit and away from the car.
He gave Vince a look. “Thank you for bringing her home. Sorry if she made a
mess in the car.”
    “It’s my fault. I should
have been watching her better. I’m sorry.”
    “If you need me to come
back, I will.” I grimaced.
    He nodded. “That might be
nice. I suspect she’s going to feel miserably foolish tomorrow. And you being
here might stop me from murdering her.” He said it before he thought. “I mean,
not murder.” His jaw dropped, but I laughed awkwardly.
    “I know what you mean.”
    “Vincent, I don't feel so
good. I love you, Vincent,” Lindsey mumbled and wiped her puke-covered lips
off.
    “Goodnight.” Her dad
lifted her into his arms and carried her inside.
    I stayed in the backseat
as Vince pulled away. I could sense the tension or anger pulsating off him. He
stopped the car at the gate. “This isn’t Driving
Miss Daisy, Lain. Get in the front seat.”
    I didn't want to. He was
still Vincent Banks. Through it all, he was still a rakish scoundrel.
    He turned, looking hurt.
“Really?”
    I pressed my lips
together and shook my head as I