small nod before closing his eyes.
Cole blows out a breath. “Okay, what’s the plan? Am I driving his car back to our house?”
Jace shakes his head. “No. You’ve had a few beers tonight, so I don’t want you driving either. We’ll leave it here and get it in the morning.” He swipes Oakley’s phone off the nightstand. “I’ll text Wayne and let him know he’s spending the night at our house.”
“I can drive. I haven’t had anything to drink.” I narrow my eyes. “Other than soda.”
With a grunt, Jace digs into the pocket of his jeans and tosses a set of keys at me. “Fine. You can drive him to my place, but after that, you need to bounce. You’re not welcome in my home.”
A mixture of hurt and confusion wash over me. “If that’s the case, why don’t I just take Oakley’s car and drive us both home?”
Jace crosses his arms. “No.”
“Gee, I’m sorry, Daddy. I wasn’t aware I needed your permission, to begin with.”
Cole snorts. “Look, either work with us or get out of our way while we handle shit. Wayne thinking his son spent the night at our house because he drank too much at a party is different than shoving the actual evidence in his face and getting Oakley in trouble.”
I guess he has a point. Sort of. “Okay, so how about I drive Oakley’s car home? This way you won’t have to—”
“No,” Jace says tightly.
“Why are you being so freaking difficult?”
“Because I’m looking out for my friend.” Jace advances toward me. “Are you really prepared to face your uncle’s cross-examination? What are you gonna say when he asks why his son’s car is in the driveway but he’s not home? You gonna cave and tell him he seized? Or let it slip that he was so high and drunk out of his mind he kissed you?”
I fight the urge to string him up by his balls. “Of course not.”
His laugh is bitter. “Well, call me crazy, but I don’t trust you. If you really want to help Oak out, you’ll keep your mouth shut and do whatever the fuck I tell you to.” He juts his chin at Cole. “Ride with her. Make sure she doesn’t pull a fast one and take Oak home.”
Christ, he’s unbelievable.
Cole and Jace cart Oakley off the bed then reposition each of his arms around their shoulders.
“If you could walk in front of us and open the front door, that would be swell,” Jace grits through his teeth.
If he wasn’t physically supporting a very groggy Oakley right now, I’d kick him in the junk.
A horrible thought crosses my mind as we head down the stairs.
I fought Oakley the other day. He could have had a seizure.
All because Jace let me believe his friend was the one responsible for all the stuff he did.
My blood boils as we make our way outside.
The second we get Oakley situated and I know he’s okay, I’m going to have a little chat with Jace.
The ride to Jace’s is pretty silent, aside from Oak’s periodic snoring in the back seat.
I peer at him through the rearview. “Will he be okay?”
I don’t know much about epilepsy, but I plan to do my research.
Cole nods. “I’ve only seen him have a few over the years, but he’s always really tired after.” Shifting in his seat, he surveys his friend. “He’s also drunk as a skunk and high as a kite right now, so it’s best we let him sleep it off.”
Agreed. As upset as I am with him for doing drugs and putting the moves on me, I’m far more concerned about his health than I am about reading him the riot act.
I can feel Cole’s eyes on me. “I can give you a ride home if you’re willing to wait a bit.”
“I appreciate it, but I’m covered.”
I’m not since Tommy hasn’t returned my text, but I’d rather crawl back to my aunt’s home on broken glass than accept a ride from a Covington.
I’d probably be better off too, because at this rate they’d kill me and bury my body in the woods.
He faces forward. “Suit yourself.”
Whereas Jace is a consistent asshole, Cole has been almost pleasant for the duration of our short trip.
It puts me on edge. “Why are you being so nice to me?”
His brows raise in surprise. “I’m sorry.” He runs a hand through his dark hair. “Didn’t mean to offend you by not being a dick. I’ll do better next time.”
I make a