“Okay,” I nodded, even though he couldn’t see me.
“Call me if you need to. But I’ll be there really quick,” he assured me.
“Okay,” I repeated, and he hung up the phone.
I should’ve let him know that I actually wasn’t in any danger. Well, not in any immediate danger. After all, I was drunk, shoeless, and sitting on the curb outside of a house party.
Jack pulled up a few minutes later in the Lamborghini, which was how he traveled when speed was a necessity. He stopped right in front of me and dove out of the car, leaving it on and the door open.
“Are you okay?” Jack crouched down in front of me to inspect me for injuries, pushing my damp hair out of my eyes.
My eyes were puffy from crying, beer stained my fancy top, and my feet were very dirty from walking around the party, but overall, I was okay.
“I think so,” I nodded.
“You’re drunk,” Jack smirked.
“I think so.”
“Okay. Let’s get you home.” He stood up and took my hands so he could help me to my feet. Before we got in the car, he gave me a once over to make sure. His eyes got hard and the hand that was holding mine got very cold. “Your pants are undone.”
“What?” I looked down at my jeans, and I couldn’t remember undoing them. Then I remembered being upstairs making out with Jordan. “Oh. Yeah. That. I didn’t do anything.”
“You didn’t do anything?” Jack let go of my hand and eyed me up severely.
“No, I didn’t. I mean, like kissing, but you know, just that. It was nothing at all.” I started zipping up my pants when something occurred to me. “I’m wearing a purple a thong.”
“You’re wearing a purple thong?” Jack raised an eyebrow, but since I was drunk, I couldn’t get a read on his emotions. I didn’t know if it was an intrigued I’d-like-to-see-more eyebrow, or a disapproving you’re-a-huge-slut eyebrow.
“Yeah. Wanna see?” I offered.
“Just get in the car,” Jack said, not unkindly, and walked around to the driver’s seat.
“Sorry,” I mumbled. When I got in the car, a tear slid down my cheek, but I tried to wipe it away before he noticed.
“That’s what you were doing when I called?” He kept his voice even, but the car squealed away from the house. His hands gripped the steering wheel too tightly, and I sunk deeper into the seat.
“He kept pouring me shots, and I don’t remember most of the night. I don’t even remember how I got in the room. But when I realized what was going on, I pushed him off of me, and then you just happened to call like a second later.” I played with my hair and shook my head.
“I don’t know why I have to explain myself to you, anyway,” I said. “You were too busy to even talk to me tonight. It’s not my fault that you decided to grace me with your presence the one time I’m actually out doing something.”
“Oh, yeah. Because I’m just busy partying it up all the time. That’s why I can’t talk to you,” Jack scoffed.
“I was just sick of sitting in that stupid apartment waiting for you!” I snapped. “So when Jane texted me-”
“I should’ve known she’d be the source of all this,” he laughed darkly.
“You’re the one that suggested I hang out with her while you’re so ‘busy.’” When I made the little air quotes for busy, he rolled his eyes.
“I didn’t mean it. I just felt guilty for leaving you alone all the time, but I took it back right away. That’s why I had Mae come get you.”
“Oh, yeah, thank you for that, by the way. Great idea.”
“What? You love Mae!” Jack looked at me dubiously. “How was that not a great idea?”
“Because! I wanted to see you!” I shouted, then instantly regretted saying it.
“Do you think that this is what I wanted?” Jack countered. “That I wanted you to hang out with Jane, getting drunk, and messing around with random date rapists? Yeah, this is exactly what I wanted, Alice.”