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What the hell? I want to scream Way to be subtle, Lacey! I send her a furious look

"I oing to go dance Isn’t that right, stud?" She grabs Garrett by the hand

"Sure thing, sweetheart" He grins, finishing his beer

They’re leaving me alone? With Emerson?!

"Wait, Lacey--" I try to protest, but she just winks atto the live rock band

Shit

I take a short breath, and sneak a sideways look at E with the band Casual OK, so that’s hoe’re going to play it I can do casual "So, you own Jireat Why didn’t you say?"

Eives me a measured look "You didn’t ask"

I stop How is this my fault? "Yeah, well I didn’t exactly have tioing toevery one of my life choices"

My reply whips out before I can stop it I clamp my hand over my mouth, and stare at the shocked expression on E that!

But why the hell shouldn’t I say it? It’s the truth, after all I let out a giggle, unable to stop es

"You’re drunk" He says shortly

I shrug, defensive "So what if I am?"

"You never could hold your liquor" He shakes his head, and takes another gulp of his beer "I wonder, what else has changed…?" Emerson’s mouth curves into a lascivious sasp, shocked "Fuck you!"

"Already been there, darlin’" He givesover et a flashback to hisslowly downhismy ar bright red, but I can’t let hi "I’rab onto the bench for support as my head spins

"Easy, jay-bird" Emerson moves to catchanywhere" He tellsto" I shoot back "We rode the bikes here"