Take Me with You (Take Me #2)(15)

Grant stared back at me, expressionless, but I could see the dark brooding thoughts underneath the exterior.

“What do you want from me?”

I sighed and took a step toward him. “I want you to be rational about this. Sydney doesn’t know all the facts. You should call your uncle and find out what happened.”

“Next thing I know, you’re going to be pushing me to see my dad.”

“No. I’m not trying to push you into anything! I’m trying to get you to think about this for a second.”

I leaned into my hip and looked up at him. My body was shaking, and I wasn’t sure if it was from the arctic temperatures tonight or the conversation I was having. We’d gotten over a fight this weekend, only to stumble into one that I didn’t even want to happen.

“I thought about it. You want me to talk to my uncle. I want to forget that conversation with Sydney ever happened.” He brushed me over to the side and popped open the door.

“So, what? You’re going to run away like always? Get drunk with Vin the Enabler?” I croaked.

My face was hot, and I could feel the tears springing to my eyes. I was so not this girl. I didn’t get upset about guys. I didn’t continually confront them in parking lots. Grant McDermott was turning me into such a typical girl, and I hated it. I could really use some of that indifference right about now.

Grant laughed hollowly. “Vin the Enabler. He’d probably like that nickname.”

“I don’t give a shit what he likes. He’s a prick who tried to drug me at the beginning of the year!” I ran my hands back through my hair and then brushed the tears from my cheeks. “I’m sorry. This isn’t about Vin. I want what’s best for you.”

“The best thing for me right now is to go blow off some steam.”

I opened my mouth to tell him that I’d go with him, but he held up his hand.

“Alone, Princess. I have to deal with this my own way.”

“Fine. If you want to be alone, we can be alone together.”

I pushed past him and climbed inside the cab of his truck. He wasn’t thinking straight tonight, and there was no way I’d let him drive off without me.

“Ari, all your stuff is still inside.”

“I’ll text the girls, and they’ll bring it home later.”

“What about your test tomorrow?” he asked.

I swallowed. I hadn’t really thought about that. The test tomorrow would be a huge part of my grade, and I couldn’t afford to do poorly. My stomach crawled as I thought about abandoning my studies for the night, but Grant was of more immediate importance. He couldn’t do this by himself. I’d still do well without a few extra hours in the library.

“You’re going to abandon your study session for me?” He looked utterly mystified.

I reached my hand out to him through the open door. “I love you. Not just when it’s easy.”

He sighed heavily. “It’s not going to be easy tonight. Scoot over.”

As soon as I got out of my truck and inside my house, I stormed into the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of Jack Daniel’s. I didn’t bother with a glass before tipping it up and drinking it straight.

“So, it’s one of those nights?” Miller asked from his position in the living room.

“Yes, it is,” Ari said. She crossed the threshold into my house and slammed the door behind her.

“Fuck yeah!” Vin cheered. “Let’s get f*cked up!”

“I’m so thrilled this is happening,” Ari said sarcastically.

Vin hopped up from his seat and made his way to the kitchen. “And we’re f*cking thrilled you brought your buzzkill with you, bro.”

I lifted the bottle to my lips again. No way was I in the mindset to get between Ari and Vin. They could get their hatred out of the way while I downed this bottle, and then maybe Ari would be down for some angry f*cking. That sounded like a perfect f*cking night.

“I don’t want to deal with you tonight, Vin,” Ari said. She slumped onto the couch next to Miller. “Can you text Shelby and tell her to take my stuff home?”

“Weren’t you guys at the library or something?” Miller asked. He had the video game controller in his hand and was staring at the TV.

Vin laughed. “The library? You must be talking about someone else. My bro would never do any of that stupid shit.”

“Why is going to the library stupid shit?” Ari asked. Her voice was on edge. “Cheyenne was at the library with me. Last I heard, you two were still sleeping together.”

“Chey’s hot, but I wouldn’t f*cking follow her to the library like my *-whipped friend.”

“*-whipped,” Ari said softly. “You make a relationship sound like a tragedy.”

“Now, you’re f*cking getting me. Relationships are a disease.”

“And you’d know because you’ve been in so many relationships?” she asked pointedly.

The guys all cracked up in the living room at Ari’s comment. I attempted to tune them out.

I was already halfway through the bottle, and everything was getting really warm. The liquor loosened my muscles and clouded my mind. This was f*cking perfection. Soon, I wouldn’t be able to think about my shit dad or my uncle who hid things from me. Hopefully, I wouldn’t have to hear anyone arguing either. I wanted to get lit up and black out.