Broken Silence (Silence, #2)(38)

“Dance with me?” Oakley asked, pulling at my hand while trying to stand up. I got out of my seat quickly to stop her falling flat on her arse.

I remembered the first time she ever tried alcohol, she was thirteen, and I had just turned fourteen. We were on holiday in Spain and our parents had gone out to dinner, leaving us kids at the hotel with room service. My dad’s half full bottle of Bourbon was sitting on the side, and Mia dared everyone to try it. Oakley coughed for about five minutes. She scrunched her nose up so much it looked like she had been sucking on a lemon. That was the first and last time she ever had whiskey.

I pulled her to a stop as we got to the dance floor and spun her around. “You okay?”

“Shh,” she whispered, pressing her finger over my lips. She had been driving me crazy all night and I don’t even think she realised it. I was trying to be a gentleman and letting her figure out what she wanted between us but that was getting harder to do.

“You’re being naughty,” I scolded her playfully.

“I think I’m a bit drunk,” she said, rubbing her forehead.

“You think!” I laughed as she nodded. “I didn’t think you could drink, but you can sure put it away.”

“You’re a bad influence, Cole.”

“Oh, so this is my fault?”

“Yep.” She wrapped her arms around my neck. Our lips were just inches apart. I groaned as she stared into my eyes. She wanted us to kiss, and so did I. I wanted that more than anything in the world, but I didn’t want it to be while she was off her face.

I pulled away slightly and felt like crap when she pouted.

“Not when you’re drunk,” I whispered, stroking her hair behind her ear. Nodding again, she laid her head on my shoulder. I hate myself!

“Abby,” Oakley said, pulling away from me. Jasper and Abby were sitting at our table. Grabbing Abby’s hand, Oakley pulled me along. When did they become such good friends, or was it because Oakley was drunk?

Abby looked up and opened her arms to hug Oakley. They immediately began talking, catching up on what each other had been doing. I bet she wouldn’t remember anything Abby said in the morning!

Jasper smiled but not his usual unnerving smile. He looked happy. I knew he and Abby were on good terms before he left but was there more going on now? Whatever was going on, I hoped Jasper wouldn’t end up hurt again. As fucking weird as he was, he deserved a decent girl.

“How drunk is she?” Jasper asked, nodding towards his sister.

I chuckled. “Yeah, pretty drunk. Don’t worry though, I’m looking after her.”

“You’d better because she’s already been through too much.”

“I know that, Jasper. Anyway what’s happening with you and Abby? You getting back together?”

He sighed like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. “I dunno. I want to, but I’m going home with Oakley when all this is over. There’s no point in starting anything.”

It was like taking a bullet. They couldn’t go back.

“Have you spoken to Oakley? I’m sure she would want you to be happy.”

“I don’t need to talk to her. My sister comes before any girl. She always will. Don’t you say anything either. I don’t want her feeling guilty for me and Abby not being together.”

I nodded in agreement, but I couldn’t help feeling bad for him. I knew that Oakley would make him stay here and be happy if she knew he wanted to be with Abby, but I also got that he was putting her first. If I had my way they would all stay in England, but this was never about me.

As Jasper’s eyes flickered to Abby for the twentieth time during our conversation. I couldn’t help wondering how he managed to forgive her. Was it because the situation now put everything else into perspective?

“I need to go home,” Oakley mumbled and slumped down beside me. “I don’t feel good, and I don’t like drinking.”

I wrapped my arm around her waist. “I think that’s a good idea.” Standing up, I practically dragged her to her feet.

“I should go too,” Jasper said, looking at Abby.

“No,” Oakley slurred. “You stay. I’m fine with Cole.”

Jasper looked at me for confirmation, so I nodded. Of course she was fine with me. “I’ll get a taxi. You all stay.” Oakley looked up at me and frowned. I knew exactly what that frown was for. She didn’t want me to miss out.

“I’d rather go with you,” I whispered in her ear. “Night everyone,” I called over my shoulder and lead Oakley towards the exit.

“Bye,” she shouted, waving her hand enthusiastically. Yeah she was definitely going to suffer tomorrow.

The second I got her in the taxi, she leant against my shoulder and closed her eyes. A sleepy drunk then!

“Can you give me a minute?” I asked the driver as we pulled up outside her house. I saw him nod in the mirror, not even bothering to reply. I walked to Oakley’s side of the car and reached in, putting my arms around her. Getting her out of the car was awkward but she didn’t weigh much, so carrying her wasn’t hard.

“What are you doing?” she asked, slapping her hand over her mouth as she yawned.

“Carrying you inside.”

“Bye, Mr taxi man,” she called out, blowing a kiss over her shoulder. No wonder the guy was a miserable bastard. He probably dealt with drunk people all the time. Oakley shoved the key towards the lock. “Huh. It’s broke.”