Into the guy's coat, I murmured, "Sorry, I didn't mean to fall apart."
With a humorless chuckle, he replied, "Yeah, well you didn't seemewhen I first found out."
I pulled back to gaze up at him. "Did you cry, too?"
"No, but I wanted to. So much for loyalty, huh?"
I wasn't quite following, but then again, Ihadbeen drinking quite a bit. "Well…I'm really sorry. If it makes you feel any better, something better will surely turn up – on the job front, I mean."
"Yeah, well let's hope," he said. "Anyway, I guess you want to get back to your party."
"It's notmyparty." As I said this, I suddenly realized that it was true. AllI'ddone was give Bryce permission to use my place for the food and what-not.
Sure, I'd made the cookies and had helped with the decorations, but I didn't know any of these people. And none of them knew me.
If Bryce were here, maybe theywouldknow me as his girlfriend. But hewasn'there, and a different girl was clinging to his arm.
I heard myself say, "Hey, can I ask a favor?"
"What's that?"
I blew out a long trembling breath. "Can you give me a ride? It's to my aunt's place, maybe twenty minutes north of here?" Quickly, I added, "If you don't want to, that's alright. I mean, I'll just get an Uber or something. It's not a big deal."
"Forgetthat,"Mitchell said with a sympathetic smile. "I'm going that way anyway. I'll just drop you off."
I blinked away new tears. "If you're sure you don't mind, that would bereallygreat."
By the time we reached my aunt's neighborhood, my head was seriously spinning. Unwilling to leave the glass of eggnog or risk damage to the guy's vehicle by bringing it with me, I'd guzzled the whole thing on the front porch before heading out.
I never did see Bryce, and part of me couldn't believe that I'd just walked off like that. But tonight, I wasn't believing a lot of things – like the fact that I'd let down my guard with such disastrous results.
I should have known better.
Hell, Ihadknown better.
I just hadn't listened to my inner voice, that's all.But boy, was I listening now.
During the drive, Mitchell and I said very little. Mostly, we listened to Christmas music on his car stereo and sulked with our own private thoughts. On the upside, it was a lot better than sulking alone, and the ride was a real life-saver.
I'd been in no condition to drive myself, that's for sure.
As we passed through the neighborhood's coded gate, I turned to Mitchell and tried not to slur as I said, "I owe you one, okay?"
"Eh, forgetthat," he said. "If you want the truth, you made me feel better."
I gave a drunken snort. "Really? How?"
"By taking me seriously," he said. "Thelastperson I told acted like I was some kind of nut job."
"Yeah, well maybethey'rethe nut job. You ever think of that?"
Mitchell smiled. "So you'll tell Lexie?"
"Yeah, totally." But then I paused. "Oryoucould – I mean if she's around."
But she wasn't.This much was obvious the moment we neared the house. The whole property was dark with no signs of life.
Well that sucked.
