Begin Again (Again #1)(31)

“Good. My decision,” I said, turning around to grab a random bottle of wine that I’d just spotted.

Kaden growled and made good on his threat without another word. He lifted me as effortlessly as he’d done at the waterfall. I let out a shrill scream and pounded his back, but he just clapped his free hand on my butt.

“Kaden, I swear, when we’re home I’m going to tear you to pieces!”

He laughed, and I felt its rumble pass through his body and into mine. “Let out your claws. I can hardly wait.”

The alcohol that I’d consumed at the party took its full effect on the way home. It took me several tries to get out of the Jeep, and when I’d managed it, I twisted on my high heels and nearly fell—which I found so funny that I couldn’t stop giggling.

“My God, you’re unbearable when you’re drunk,” muttered Kaden, throwing an arm around my waist.

“At least I’m only unbearable when I’m drunk.”

Kaden threw me an angry look, but I saw the hint of a smile. “Can you manage the stairs?”

I gave a haughty laugh and removed my shoes. “Good one.”

Easier said than done. I didn’t even get up the first three steps before I lost my balance and slumped to the side. With all my strength, I clung to the railing, but everything was spinning. Kaden gave an annoyed snort and held out his arm so I could catch myself. In his other hand he held my shoes. I thought it was cute how he helped me up the stairs with this somewhat remorseful expression on his face.

Once inside the apartment, he pointed me toward the bathroom and even brought me my pajamas. Very thoughtful, I found.

While I washed my face, I held on to the rim of the sink so as not to tip over.

The cold water brought me out of the fog a bit. And suddenly I saw everything much more clearly than I’d wanted to.

My mom had found me. She wanted me to return. And worst of all: She still didn’t respect my wishes. She even had the nerve to demand my gratitude for the money in my own savings account. After all that had happened.

I swallowed hard and tried to shut down my thoughts. It didn’t work. My eyes were burning, but I kept on splashing cold water on my face until I had washed all the tears away. Then I brushed my teeth and slowly peeled off my dress. Once my pajamas were on, I sat on the toilet seat and buried my face in my hands.

Everything was spinning, and I heard Mom’s voice repeating in my ears.

I couldn’t leave this room until I was under control. Otherwise Kaden would see me, and there was no way I wanted him to know how messed up I really was.

As if he’d read my mind, he opened the door. I stayed where I was. Maybe he just wanted to brush his teeth.

“Bedtime, you boozer.” Only Kaden could manage being thoughtful one moment, and rude the next.

I staggered out of the bathroom and closed the door behind me. The trip to my room seemed endless. When I finally made it, I dropped onto my sofa bed and buried my face in one of the pillows.

Don’t worry.

It was nothing serious.

You can’t throw it all away over such a petty thing, Crystal.

Think of your father.

What I wanted to do was hit something hard, to get rid of my anger. This afternoon, when my mother saw and spoke to me, it felt like she still had absolute power over me and my life. But she didn’t! I wasn’t their prisoner anymore. I had to repeat this to myself over and over again.

My door opened.

“Here.”

I lifted my head. He held out his outstretched hand. Groaning, I reached for the two aspirin on his palm and took the glass of water in his other hand.

After popping the pills, I wanted to set the glass on the windowsill, but Kaden shook his head. “Drink up,” he ordered.

I cursed at him, but did what he said.

“That’s a good girl,” he praised me with a self-satisfied grin.

“Can you leave me alone now?”

Instead of answering, Kaden plopped down on my desk chair, crossed his arms behind his head, and eyed me with suspicion.

“Good, then you can watch me sleep,” I said as if I couldn’t care less. I turned to my side and looked at him.

“Do you want to talk?” he asked abruptly, frowning.

“Rule one,” I spouted back at him.

“I make the rules. If I ask, then I also want an answer.”

I sighed. “I don’t want to talk, Kaden.”

He nodded, but kept his eyes on me. “Should I go?”

I thought about it. Then I shook my head. “No.”

His face softened. “What was that all about? At the party, I mean.”

I looked at him, and his eyes were warm. Not demanding, just offering. I didn’t know if it was the alcohol working on me, or if it was Kaden, but I suddenly felt the need to tell him a few things. Not everything, but at least a part of what had made me do what I’d done this night. I sighed. “I wanted to shut off my thoughts.”

“It looked as if you’re an old hand at that.” He didn’t sound curious, but I heard his underlying question.

“I used to drink a lot, to silence my head. I stole liquor from my parents. I had friends hook me up. I guess tonight was a kind of relapse,” I said, shrugging.

“Sounds as if it was loud up there pretty often,” said Kaden, nodding toward my forehead.