Free Under the Lights by Abbi Glines Page B

bring her home drunk and past her curfew. So leaving to take Willa home wouldn’t be possible.
    â€œWant a drink?” I asked her.
    She shook her head. “I don’t drink.”
    â€œYou don’t drink? Why haven’t you died from dehydration yet?” I was teasing her.
    She rolled her eyes. “I don’t drink alcohol.”
    â€œI wasn’t offering you a beer. We have water and sodas too.”
    Her eyes lit up. “In that case, yes. My mouth is dry. I’d love a water.”
    â€œCome this way,” I said, being sure to walk behind the crowd of people with Willa so Ivy wouldn’t spot me and swoop in to stake the claim she did not have on me.
    We walked around the trucks that did park in the clearing of the field. We needed lights, somewhere to keep the keg, and extra seating, so a few drove their trucks right up in here. Ivy was dancing with Ginger and doing her best to entertain whoever was around. The Dixie cup in her hand made me mutter a curse. She’d be drunk and stupid the next time we spoke. Ivy had been comfortable and easy, so I’d let our relationship grow into something I never really wanted. I didn’t want to hurt her, and honestly, she had started feeling like an obligation. It wasn’t fair to her. Or me.

What Does Casual Mean?
CHAPTER 16
    WILLA
    The cold water felt good as I drank several long gulps before stopping. My mouth had been terribly dry, but I’d thought the only drink they had here came out of that large keg on the back of an old blue pickup truck with really big wheels. I really wanted to be at home in my room, reading in my sweatpants and cozy pink socks with the hearts on them that I’d gotten for Valentine’s Day from Poppy last year. The thought of Poppy as always hurt, and I mentally winced.
    Seeing everyone so drunk and carefree had taken me back to a time when I was much like them. Except, unlike here, we had added drugs to the mix. There were noworries, and we owned the world. It was a foolish thing to think that way. Like you were invincible. Because no one was. Death would come sooner for some than others.
    â€œWater taste that bad?” Brady asked, and I realized I’d zoned into the dark place I lived often. The one that had been my shield through the months following that night.
    â€œNo, it’s great. I was just thinking of things I’d rather not.”
    That was the only truth he would get.
    â€œCome on.” He nodded toward the woods. “Let’s get out of the noise and enjoy our water. You can tell me about the last six years of your life, and I’ll bore you with details of mine.”
    â€œNo, thanks,” was my quick reply. Talking about the darkness wasn’t happening. Not even with the counselor they’d made me see in the correctional facility I’d lived in.
    He frowned. “You wanted to escape the party.”
    I smiled because I didn’t realize I had sounded completely rude. “I do. I just don’t want to talk about my past. It’s . . . boring,” I lied. Nothing was boring. It was tragic.
    â€œFair enough. We’ll go drink our water and talk about my life. I love to be the center of attention.”
    That made me laugh. “Okay.” Brady put me at ease. Once he had made me feel nervous, silly, and giddy. Now, though, getting to know the older, more mature Brady, Iliked him. He was a good guy. Solid. Dependable.
    We walked into the woods and toward the vehicles parked on the other side. I noticed the truck I’d seen Brady driving to school. He was apparently taking us there. The moonlight wasn’t very bright tonight, but it did illuminate the area some.
    â€œMy truck’s there. We can go sit on the tailgate,” he said, nodding his head in that direction.
    â€œWhat about your date?” I asked him, remembering the girl I saw him at school with a lot and that he’d arrived with.
    He glanced back