Good Girl Gone Plaid(29)
“Never been caught before.”
“It’s really kind of disturbing the things you brag about,” she drawled.
“I’m not bragging.”
Though she enjoyed teasing him, she knew he wasn’t all that big of a drinker. Sure, he and his friends snuck a few beers or Scottish whisky now and then, but they never got totally wasted.
It had bothered her at first, more so because she was such a rule follower. She refused to drink until the government told her she legally was of age to do so. But she was also aware that if she refused to date any guy that drank underage, the pickings were slim.
And she didn’t really want to pick anyway. Ian was her soul mate. She knew it, without a doubt. The bad boy act was just that. More for show than a reality. It was an image he projected to the world, and she still wasn’t sure why. But then, they’d only been dating for seven months.
“I should go. I need to study for a chemistry final on Monday.” She sighed and snuggled closer. “But promise you’ll be careful tonight, okay?”
“I promise. You want to grab breakfast tomorrow?”
Yes. “Sure you won’t be too hungover?” she asked lightly.
“Do I have to say it again? I’m not getting drunk.”
“Okay, then I’d love to. I just heard how crazy these end-of-the-year senior parties are.”
“Well you don’t need to worry about me. I’ll text you by nine.”
He kissed her again, deeper this time, and her heart and head spun in a giddy swirl of love and happiness.
“Can’t wait,” she whispered when he lifted his head.
And that had been the last time everything had been sunshine and roses between them. It had gone to hell in a handbasket pretty damn fast when morning came.
The visual slipped through her head. The memory of wandering through the party house, trying to find Ian. And then when she had…
Not wanting to think about it anymore, she started to re-cork the wine when another knock sounded on her door.
Had Ian come back?
Groaning in disbelief, she went to peek through the peephole to be safe.
She had the door open in seconds. “Hey, you. I’m trading one McLaughlin for another tonight.”
Chapter Eight
Kenzie arched a brow, the same damn way Ian did all the time, and stepped into the house.
“Which brother of mine has been here? Or do I really need to ask?”
Crap, maybe she shouldn’t have let that comment about trading McLaughlins loose.
“Never mind, I don’t have to ask. The blush on your face says it all.” Kenzie strode into the kitchen. “I see you’ve got the wine going already. Good, because I’ve brought dinner. Aleck sent me with a couple shepherd pies, chips and another apology.”
“Oh yum. Tell him apology accepted, with or without the pies.” She snagged the brown bag from her friend and peeked inside, inhaling the scent of meat and gravy. “Though the pies are definitely helping.”
“I know, right? So why was Ian here?” Kenzie’s tone was deceptively light as she grabbed a wine glass and poured herself some. “You want some?”
“No thanks, I’ve still got a bit left from earlier.” Sarah pulled the shepherd pies from the bag and began to unwrap them. “Ian was, um, was working out a payment for my car.”
“What happened to your car?”
“You didn’t hear?” Sarah cast her a quick glance as she found plates. “I assumed you would’ve. Both Colin and Ian showed up at the scene to help me.”
“No, I didn’t hear. Scene? Did you get in a crash?” Alarm wove through Kenzie’s rising voice. “Are you hurt?”
“I’m fine. I swerved to avoid a deer and ran off the road and hit a tree.”
“You’re so lucky you’re okay. You should’ve just hit the deer.”
“Exactly what your brother said.” Sarah grimaced and carried the plates to the dining room.
“And your insurance will say too.” Kenzie followed her and took a seat.
“He said that as well. Which is why I’m not calling them to file a claim.”
“So Ian’s fixing your car?”
“Yeah.”
“I hope he gave you a good deal.” Kenzie paused to take a bite, but her gaze stayed on Sarah. “You’re blushing again.”
“He’s not charging me.”
“Well now. That is a good deal.”
“Yes.” Sarah diverted her attention and focused on her food. It was much easier to bury her head, focusing on nearly orgasmic shepherd pies from the McLaughlin Pub.
“Ian’s not a bad guy you know…”
Kenzie obviously had no clue of the type of guys Ian did business with. But she obviously knew her brother was a felon. How could Kenzie even try to deny that her brother was the type a smart girl stayed clear of?