Breathe In (Just Breathe, #1)(99)

I immediately take my seat, feeling my legs buckling underneath me. Jared discretely takes my hand in his, dangling them between our seats. Everyone’s attention goes back to Henry and Maggie as I process what happened. With my free hand, I reach for the glass of wine sitting in front of me. I chug it in two large gulps. On an exhale, I search for more. Right as he’s reaching for it, I take Joe’s glass and chug down the rest of his as well.

“Easy there lightweight,” Joe mockingly suggests, loud enough only for me to hear as he takes the empty glass.

Our waiter brings over two bottles of champagne and new glass flutes to toast the occasion.

“To Maggie and Henry,” Jared salutes, once the waiter has filled everyone’s glasses.

Anxiety rises within me and my hand clenches down on Jared’s.

“To Maggie and Henry,” the rest of us repeat.

I down my glass of champagne discretely, only capturing Joe’s attention.

“And to love,” Nathan adds.

“To love,” everyone repeats, except me.

I hold up my glass and pretend to drink.

“Tonight we celebrate, tomorrow I want details,” Jimmy attests. “Let’s get back to dancing!”

I try to sit down a few times, claiming that I’m tired, when really all I want to do is drink to numb the pain of officially losing one of my two best friends. Either Jared, Nathan or Joe drag me back out after I get a gulp or two of more wine. Joe is right, I am a light weight. I barely drink and when I do it’s only a glass. The amount I’m drinking right now is a bit excessive. I’m right on the line of numbing the pain just enough, but almost too much where that line can blur and disappear, allowing the possibility of losing all of my inhibitions.


I dance with my friends but end up with Joe each time a slow song comes on. “How are you holding up?” Joe inquires holding me tight.

“Great,” my mouth slurs a little. My nose takes a large whiff of him. “God, do you smell good.”

A hearty laugh escapes his throat. “Careful, beautiful . . .you don’t want to start anything you might regret,” Joe sinfully replies.

“Mmm,” I hum. “Is that a challenge?” I slide my left hand under his jacket and up his bulging chest. His right nipple hardens as my fingers graze over it several times.

Laughing again, he answers, “You have had too much.”

“Maybe it’s just enough,” I suggest, placing my mouth closer to his bare skin.

“And, why is that?” he asks while trying to control his words.

“Enough to give you what you want.” I press my hips into him.

“Now I know you definitely had too much,” he whispers in my ear before kissing me on the cheek.

My mouth turns in the direction of his, wanting a taste. Joe keeps his mouth just far enough away as we stare into each others eyes.

“How we doing over here?” Jared questions behind my back.

“Fine,” I offer, laughing into Joe’s chest.

“I think it’s time to go,” Joe recommends.

“So, you are trying to sleep with me,” I contend, snickering.

“Yep. Time to go,” Jared confirms. He and Nathan dance away for a moment.





Twenty Two


“I can take her from here,” Joe offers as he and Jared walk me to my room.

With a wicked grin, Jared states, “It’s not her that I’m worried about.”

“I’ll be fine,” Joe insists.

“You don’t know what she’s like when she’s drunk,” Jared argues. “She gets freakishly stronger.”

“Stop talking about me like I’m not here,” I slur in protest. “I’m not drunk, just a little buzzed.”

The two of them stare and laugh.

Offended by their mockery of me, I demand, “Out! Out of my room!”

Jared turns and heads to my bathroom and comes back with a glass and something in his hand.

“Ooh, you’re a good friend. You brought me more to drink,” I confess. Taking a sip, I immediately spit it out. “What the hell is this?”

“Water,” Jared comments.

“I take it back. You are not a good friend,” I demand.

Joe muffles another laugh.

“Take these too,” he offers, holding out his hand.

“I don’t want them,” I protest.

“Either you take them willingly, or . . .” he pushes.

I’m not in the mood to fight, and as much as I’ll deny how drunk I am, I know that Jared would have the leg up if we did wrestle, especially with Joe to help him. I do get stronger with liquor, but not with this much in my system. Plus, I don’t want to mess up my pretty dress. I like my dress and each time I remember that Joe gave it to me, I can’t help but smile.

“Fine,” I say, reaching out and popping the two black pills into my mouth, chasing them with the glass of water.

“She’ll be fine now. If she drinks more, just feed her two more of these and extra water.” He places the bottle down on the nightstand.

Jared takes the empty glass and fills it again, then hands me the glass. Despite my protest and desire for more liquor, I eagerly drink the water.

“Watch out for her,” he adds. “She’s sneaky.”