Reckless Abandon (November Blue, #2)(45)

“We came back here after going to Les’s Diner. Rae wanted to show me the place. As soon as she saw that car, she lost it. I

chased in after her, and—”

“I’m good, Regan,” I put my hands up, “I can put the rest together. I’m getting the hell out of here.” As soon as my foot

hits the top stair, the front door swings open, spilling three angry people onto the porch. If curling into the fetal position were

socially acceptable, I’d be there in a heartbeat.

“He didn’t invite you here,” Rae seethes.

“He didn’t ask me to leave, either, did you, Spencer?” I can hear Ainsley’s snide smile tear through the back of my head.

“Stop calling him that!” Rae screams.

“Will both of you calm down? It’s after midni -” Bo stops mid-sentence and I turn around to find his eyes wide in my direction.

My face feels like it takes on the color his loses in an instant. Rae’s hand flies to cover her open mouth as Regan grabs her

shoulders. Swallow. Blink. Ainsley’s momentary shock is replaced by a wicked grin that turns her ice blue eyes black. Don’t bait

her. Don’t bait her. Smile. Shrug. Do something “I had a nice time tonight, Spencer.” Ainsley stretches up on her tiptoes to

plant a kiss squarely on Bo’s lips. His eyes don’t leave mine before I look to the ground in nausea.

Breathe. You don’t know what happened. Well, you know a little what happened.

As she brushes past me, Ainsley’s bubblegum-like body spray makes my mouth water—the way it does right before one throws up. She

snickers as she gets in her car; the sound thumps my eardrums. I watch her taillights until they disappear from sight before I turn

around again. My jaw ripples beneath my skin, and I pray that my teeth won’t break as I force my anger away with a deep inhale

through flared nostrils.

Bo steps toward me. “November ...”

Yep, that’s me.

“Jesus, November, what are you doing here?” Rae whispers. Apparently, we’re all just catching up that I’ve been standing on the

porch for several minutes.

My fingernails dig into my palms as I force myself to relax my jaw. I clear my throat before I speak.

“I, uh, just wanted to tell Bo “thank you” for showing me the studio tonight—it’s lovely.” Swallow. “So...thank you.” I

force a smile. “Also, I’m sorry about what I said about not being friends. Clearly that’s all we’ll be.” I turn and dash to my

car.

“Ember, wait!” Bo runs after me, beating me to my car and blocking my door with his body.

My arms cross in front of me, protecting me without having to ask my brain for permission.

“Are you about to tell me that wasn’t what it looked like?” I bite the inside of my cheek until it hurts.

“No...I mean—” He kicks my tire with his heel before I cut him off.

“Ainsley? You warned me about her, Rae warned me about her, and all you did tonight was prove that you’re no better. You kiss me,

and come back here with her?”

“You kissed her?” Rae runs down the stairs toward us.

“It’s none of your business, Rae!” Bo hollers through gritted teeth.

Rae looks like she’s about to say something, but tears trickling down her pale cheek stop her. Regan reaches an arm around her

shoulders and pulls her in, kissing the top of her head as she stares at us in defeat.

“I meant that kiss, November.You were the one who walked away.” Bo grabs my shoulders, and I’m too tired to fight him.

“You called me self-righteous. Then, apparently, came here to f*ck your ex-girlfriend.” His head turns to the side and he winces

against my accusation.

“It’s you, November. You’re the one I’m in love with. I’m insane over not having you.” He’s not making sense, and it becomes

clearer that he’s been drinking since he got home.

Suddenly, Bo’s hands slide from my shoulders to my cheeks and he forces his mouth against mine. His tongue slides sloppily against

my lips before I pull away and push him aside, opening my car door.

Three sets of eyes watch as I slide into my car and look at Bo.

“You taste like whiskey...and bubblegum.” I slam the door, start the engine, and lock the door when Bo tries to enter the

passenger side.

“God dammit, Ember, listen to me for once!” He screams as he pounds his fist into my car window.

Fearing for the glass, I leave the engine running but unlock the door. Seeming relieved, Bo slides inside. Before turning to face

him, I lock eyes with Regan and Rae, giving them a slight nod to excuse them from the scene.

“What?” I ask, as I chew on my bottom lip.

“When you left, I came back here and went into my studio.” Bo’s words are quick and slightly slurred. The smell of liquor

permeates my car.

“I don’t want to know anything else, Bo. I don’t. Please stop.” I put up my hand to prove my point.

Bo fists his hair. “November, I’m not leaving this car until you hear me out.”

“Well,” I shrug, “it’s going to be a long walk back from Boston for you.”