She hops out, throwing a “thanks” over her shoulder and I kick it back in gear and drive one block down to park in front of Oakley’s house.
She’s slouched in her seat, so I don’t bother trying to wake her, but instead, pick her up and carry her inside.
Her dad’s out of town on business, so I pull her keys from her bag and let myself in, choosing to lay her on the couch.
When I set her down her lids pop open and she stares at me, her eyes sharp but I know her head is fogged.
A fact that becomes clear when she reaches out to touch my jaw after I cover her with the throw blanket from the armchair.
Her hand trails across my stubble before sliding down my chin and falling to the blanket.
“I’m gonna get you some water, all right?” I tell her, and she nods.
I quickly grab a water bottle from her fridge and bring it back to her, finding she’s sitting up a little more, her head lying against her hands on the back of the couch.
She takes the water, keeping her eyes on me as she drinks.
“You can go now,” she slurs.
“I’ll go when I’m ready,” I mock her earlier words and she scoffs, a small grin on her lips.
She’s quiet a few minutes as she surveys me. She sighs, her blinks slowing as the alcohol starts to win over. “You’re a mean boy.”
I smirk. “I’m not a boy.”
“No...” her eyes trace over me, before slowly making their way back to my face. “Guess not.”
I don’t look away and neither does she.
“You stole a kiss from me once.”
I nod. “I did.”
“Why do I feel like you wanna steal another?”
“’Cause you feel me. On the inside.”
She doesn’t deny it, but she’s also not so sure it’s true.
“Are you going to...” she whispers. “Steal another one?”
“No.”
“No?”
“Nope.” I sit back. “I’m gonna wait till you give it to me.”
Her lips smash together, but her laughs still breaks free, making me grin. She shakes her head. “You’re crazy.”
“You make me crazy, princess.”
Her breath gets lodged in her throat and her lids grow lower, and this time it’s not with sleep.
I gotta get out of here.
“Alec—”
I hop up, cutting her off. “Go to sleep, Oakley.”
Hurt flashes across her face, but it’s different than the kind I usually warrant from her. She feels shut down, something I’d never fucking do, but she’s drunk. She won’t remember this tomorrow. I want her sober when it hits her, she belongs with me.
I move to sit on the porch, keeping the door open for a good hour or more to make sure she doesn’t wake up sick, then lock up as I get set to take off, but as I’m leaving Rowan is walking across her lawn.
His glare shifts from me to the house and back. “What are you doing here?”
“Got her home safe after you left her out alone.”
“How’d you know she was alone?”
I don’t say anything and he scoffs, shaking his head.
“Bet you just loved that, huh? Another chance for the asshole to try and redeem himself.”
“Look, I’m done with this bullshit Rowan. Over it.”
He eyes me wearily. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, you had your chance. I’m going for it now.” His nostrils flare as my chin lifts. “I’m going for her.”
“Why now?”
“I want her, Rowan, and it’s obvious you don’t. I’m telling you so you don’t get blindsided, even though I don’t owe you shit of an explanation. You knew I wanted her in the beginning, and still you pushed for her.”
He laughs bitterly, but I sense his uncertainty. He knows damn well there’s something hiding behind her eyes when I’m around. It’s been there since day one. “You think it’s that easy? That you can just have her because you want her, end of story? ‘Cause it’s not.”
I step closer to him and he meets my stride.
“Maybe I do want her, and just haven’t said it yet.” Panic flashes across his face. “If you plan to make a move, then I’ll have no choice but to give in to our connection. I wanted to wait awhile, but if now is the time, then so be it.”
I flex my wrist to keep from knocking his ass out.
I know what he’s playing at.
“You’re saying if I go to her tomorrow and tell her I want her, that you’ll do the same?”
He hesitates a moment but then nods. “I won’t lose her to you.”
“You’re being selfish and you know it.”
“And you know I hold the cards here, Alec.”
Bastard.
I’m confident she’s meant for me, but I also know what she’s holding on to has a grasp on her and she’d force herself to give it a try, even if, in the end, it didn’t feel right.
I grind my teeth. “This is your last fucking chance, Rowan. I swear to God, next time you and I have this conversation, I won’t step back.”