“No, I’m not…” But Archie was already climbing to his feet, and I knew the moment Ian told Jake, because he swung his head to glare at Archie. With almost a smirk, Archie wiped at his nose and then picked a can out of one of the buckets and put it against his face.
“He’s fine. Archie can take a hit. C’mon, I’ll walk you back to the car, and then we can figure out how to get you out of the driveway.”
“You know what—I’m fine. I’m going to leave the car here and just call a ride share.” Guilt scraped through me as I pulled out my phone. The notifications were pictures from Instagram tagging the guys. And a text message with a video.
Coop said, “If you’re taking a ride-share, then I’m definitely going with you.”
A sigh speared through me. I could barely look away from Archie, and even as the partygoers scattered and the music climbed again, Archie, Jake, and Ian were still on the covered porch. “Coop…” My tone turned pleading as much as I hated to admit it. “I need air. Archie…”
“Got what he deserved, and like I said, he can handle a hit. You need a break, go back to your car. I’ll haul people out there and make them move theirs. Or I go with you if you get in a stranger’s car…”
“Why would she get in a stranger’s car?” Cheryl’s question made both of us jump. The blonde stood a couple of feet behind us, dressed in a tank top and shorts over what looked like a bikini. “Sorry, I had to run out, I forgot—something.”
Something? You know, it didn’t matter. “I’m blocked in, so Coop was going to get people to move their cars.”
“Oh. I can help, Danny Galligan is parked right behind you, and Lars Cowen, I think he’s right behind Danny…”
“They can keep their cars there, I’ll take you home,” Ian said from directly behind me. “I can get out no problem.”
Coop sighed, and I glanced back to find Ian and Jake both staring at me.
“You sure?” Cheryl asked. “I mean it’s no problem, I can just whip in there and get those guys moving. I think Rachel’s in that line, too and Sharon.”
“I’m sure,” Ian said. I couldn’t see Archie anymore, and Coop exhaled.
“The bike can get around the cars,” Coop admitted.
“I’ll bring you back to get your car later,” Ian promised.
“Or I can,” Jake said, but the tightness in his jaw worried me. “We’re supposed to go out tomorrow night.” The last came out as almost a soft reminder.
“Well, you’re busy,” Cheryl commented in a bubbly voice lacking any judgment. She gave me a side hug. “I’m going to rejoin the party if you’re good.” Still, one arm around me, she waited for me to let her off the hook.
“Yeah,” I said slowly, trying not to notice the relief swimming across the guys’ expressions, even Jake, who wore an air of aggravation. “Thanks, Cheryl.”
“Anytime,” she promised before giving me a squeeze. “See you later, guys!”
And then we were alone in our awkward little bubble.
“Does that mean you’ll let me take you home? Or anywhere else you want to go?” Ian asked.
“Home would probably be best.” Even if it meant coming back here the next day for my car, I could ride share back, none of them needed to know when.
Coop rubbed my arm once and nodded. “Text when you get there? Let me know you’re okay?”
“Letusknow you’re okay,” Jake said, turning the request into an order. “Youareokay, right?”
“No,” Coop told him before I could answer. “She’s not. Don’t be a dick right now.”
“I’m not being a dick,” Jake snapped, shooting Coop a dirty look. “I’m worried.”
“We all are,” Ian told him. “And I’m going to take her home.”
“You coming back?” Coop asked.
“Undecided.”
Jake frowned. “You’re really not dressed to be on the bike. C’mon.” Then he caught my hand and tugged me with him. We made it halfway back to the driveway before I got my hand free. “Sorry,” he muttered. “But I have an extra jacket in my car. I think I might have some sweats, but you’d probably be swimming in them.”