overprotective behavior a little better finally. The thought of anyone seeing Phoebe practically naked drove me wild too.
Phoebe pinched my leg and whispered, “I want something like that someday.” She didn’t slur her words, but I knew she’d been enjoying the wine again. “My panties come from Target.” She rolled her eyes.
“First of all, I like you without panties,” I murmured into her ear. “But I also like the ones you wear. However, I’d be happy to buy you any lingerie that you can put on and I can take off.”
She scrunched up her nose in that adorable way of hers. I’d known this girl for less than two weeks but there was something about that scrunch that I adored. Something about it that made me want to see it for a very long time.
My phone vibrated in my pocket, and I looked at it. Hannah. In Oregon, it was 10:15 which meant it was 12:15 a.m. in Texas. Shit. This couldn’t be good. I stepped away from Phoebe.
“What’s wrong?” I said, turning to make sure Phoebe was not in earshot. Double shit. She was right next to me. ‘What’s wrong?’ she mouthed.
“Austin. I need your help. Sloan has been arrested.”
“What for?” The second the words were spoken, I shifted into attorney mode.
“She was picked up for possession of alcohol and marijuana.”
Fuck. “Where is she?”
“Juvenile detention waiting for a parent. What do you want me to do?”
Phoebe stood a foot from me, making a meal of her thumbnail. Her rounded, green orbs were beautifully hazed over from the effects of the red wine but fighting to be alert. Hannah waited for an answer I didn’t have, and Phoebe waited for the news I didn’t want to break. News that was going to ruin the night for her. For a brief second, I contemplated lying.
“Sit still. I’ll call you in a minute.”
I disconnected the call, took Phoebe’s hand and guided her out of the tent.
“Don’t.” She jerked away, almost losing her balance. Her reaction shocked me. “Tell me. Is someone hurt?”
“No, but…” Her entire chin quivered, and my damn chest hurt, knowing pain was coming her way. “Sloan’s been arrested. But I’m going to take care of it. I just need to make a call.”
Phoebe juked past me and ran clumsily back to the table to retrieve her phone from the table where she left it. Fear drove her. She jogged to my car as if we were going to hop in and drive back to Texas.
“Phoebe. Don’t call Hannah. She’s waiting for me to sort this out. OK?”
Unlocking the car door, she slid in. I fell into the driver’s seat and grabbed Phoebe’s hand. “Listen, I have…”
“Stop, Austin.” She yanked her hand out of mine, pressing a button on the phone. I’d never seen her like this. Her entire body shook.
“Who are you calling?” I asked wanting to do something to calm her. “Phoebe. I’m here to help. Please don’t do anything irrational.”
“Sloan’s been arrested,” she said into the phone. “I need you to go pick her up. Please.” Phoebe paused. “I don’t need this right now. Just go.” Her fingers pulled at her hair. “No, I’m not drunk. Please, will you just do what I ask?” Laying her forehead in her palm, she seemed frustrated as her voice broke.
I could have handled this so easily. I didn’t think she had an attorney, but I was happy if there was someone there who could help.
“Just wine,” she said, obviously explaining to someone. “Yes, I know I owe you, Nick,” she growled and then hung up the phone and covered her face.
Nick? My mind bordered on releasing a window-rattling scream that she would never forget. As I shifted in my seat, my brows shot high as a mask of confusion fell into place. She literally called her ex to help. I was fucking speechless. Dumbstruck. My upper lip pulled tight. Unable to swallow my fucking pride and anger, I opened my car door. “You need to let Hannah know you and Nick are taking care of it. Not me.”
I slammed the car door so hard the windows shook after all. I didn’t bother to look back as I headed down the beach. Back inside the tent, the guys were doing shots. Perfect. By the time I reached the table, they’d already downed one, so I threw one back to catch up. My glass shook as I lifted it to my mouth. Rage surged through my body.
“Here’s to Zach growing out of