Free The Original Sin (Skye Morrison Vampire Series, #3) by J.L. McCoy

slid them each a small glass of amber liquid and I quietly sipped my drink as I watched them chit chat and laugh with each other. 
    The drink Hunter gave me tasted light and fruity, but obviously packed a serious punch.  Soon, I was joining more in the conversations and even joked around a bit with the guys as my bad mood started to ebb away.  Trey smiled at my change of emotions and ordered us all another round.  About an hour later, the cleaning crew had finished for the night and we all decided to head back to Archer’s house.
    I chose to ride home in the Porsche 911 with Pádraig and Trey.  Since it was a two-seater, I sat on Trey’s lap as Pádraig drove us home.  As always, per safety protocol, we drove together as a pack.  Since only one guard was with us, Pádraig, our car brought up the rear.
    The drive to the lake went quick.  Trey and I were both feeling pretty inebriated and giddy, so we hooked up his iPod to the stereo and blasted Carly Rae Jepsen’s ‘Call Me Maybe’ on repeat.  We sang at the top of our lungs and developed a whole dance routine with our hands as we crooned along.  Even straight-laced Pádraig let loose and joined in on the chorus a few times.  If it had been any other guardian singing along, I would have been completely flabbergasted, but Pádraig was a little different from everyone else.  He had barely been 18 years old when he was turned and still knew how to have a good time.  Plus, he seemed to let his guard down a little more when he was around Trey. 
    We pulled up to the house and Trey and I immediately jumped out of the car, leaving the door open and the music blaring, and began to dance in the driveway. 
    “And all the other boooooys try to chaaaaase me.  But here’s my number, so call me maybe!” Trey and I sang along loudly as we skipped about; my hair whipping, our slender shoulders shimmying to the beat.
    I heard a few laughs as everyone else exited their cars, and even a clap or two, but I wasn’t paying much attention.  I was drunk and having a blast with one of my best friends.  After the night I had, letting loose with Trey was just what the doctor ordered.
    I heard barking coming from the front of the house and stopped dancing as I saw Styvi Nix run down the driveway toward me.
    “Oh my gosh! Hi, Styvi baby!” I squealed in delight as I squatted down and allowed her to tackle me to the ground.  She whimpered with excitement as she covered my face and neck with furious licks.  I laughed with joy as I rolled on the ground with her and showed her all the attention she could handle.  I had missed her terribly these last three weeks and was so glad to have her back.
    “I’ve missed you so much, super star,” I cooed as I rubbed her head and scratched behind her ears.  “Were you a good girl for your Aunt Nikki?”  She yipped a few times and acknowledged my words to her.  She couldn’t understand all of them, but I knew she got the general idea. 
    I heard laughter off to my left and tore my gaze away from Styvi Nix to see Jameson standing at the head of the driveway.  He had his arms crossed over his chest and was chuckling at our display.
    “I see someone missed you,” he grinned.
    “Of course she missed me,” I replied, the smile sliding from my face.  I was still mad at him.
    “I was talking to the dog, love,” he laughed at his own joke.
    I pursed my lips at the joke, got up off the concrete, scooped up Styvi in my arms, and headed toward the front door.
    As I passed Jameson without so much as a glance in his direction, he spoke up.   “Baby, come on.  You can’t still be mad at me,” he said gently, his voice filled with regret.  “I’m sorry.”
    I didn’t say a word as I walked in the door, through the house and into my room.  I shut the door firmly and sat down with my back against it.  I wasn’t ready to make up with Jameson just yet.  His harsh words still rang loud in my ears.  I wasn’t just angry at him; I