Treat Me (One Night with Sole Regret #8)(19)

Leah had been targeted by bullies early. She'd always been meek, and it was easy for kids to taunt someone who'd been adopted from another country. Amanda had punched more than one boy in the nose for making Leah cry.

"Which part of Asia are you from?" Colton asked.

"China. I was one of the first girls adopted by American parents. Before that time, foreign adoptions weren't allowed. Many girls older than myself were abandoned to grow up in orphanages." She closed her eyes briefly and swallowed. "Or worse."

Amanda reached under the table and gave Leah's hand a comforting squeeze. Sometimes Leah still dwelled on what could have been. Amanda didn't even want to think about what her friend's fate might have been if the Carmichaels hadn't brought her home.

"Oh," Colton said, and then after a reflective pause, added, "I bet you were a cute kid."

"She's still cute," Amanda said tersely, her combative attitude showing no signs of easing.

"I'd say she's beautiful," Colton said.

Leah flushed prettily and lowered her gaze.

Well, okay then. Amanda wouldn't sock him in the nose. This time.

Amanda's phone dinged. She grabbed for it, expecting to see a message from Jacob but finding one from her sister.

Are you busy in the morning?

She hoped to be very busy in the morning. With Jacob. In his bed.

Probably, she texted back. Why?

Can you drop Julie off at her dad's house? I have an appointment on the other side of town.

I'm sure Jacob would come pick her up. Just call him and ask.

I don't even want to look at him. I sure don't want to talk to him. Will you PLEASE just take her for me?

No problem. What time?

Eight.

I'll be there.

Thanks.

Amanda placed her phone back on the table within easy reach. Colton and Leah were talking and laughing about adventures from their school days. Amanda decided to text Jacob rather than try to catch the thread of her companions' conversation.

Is your show over yet? Tina just texted me. She wants me to pick up Julie in the morning and drop her off at your house. Do you think I'll be able to crawl out of bed before eight?

She set her phone down when he didn't reply immediately. He was likely still onstage, or maybe he'd found a nice groupie to entertain him before he caught his plane home. She scowled at the thought.

"Bad news?" Leah asked.

Amanda lifted her gaze to meet her friend's. "Huh?"

"You look mad."




       
         
       
        
Amanda shook her head. "I'm just a little drunk. You know how I get when I've been drinking."

"She's a mean drunk," Leah informed Colton.

"I figured she was a li'l spitfire," Colton said.

Well, tarnation! Amanda thought, but somehow she kept the taunt locked inside.

"Tina wants me to drop Julie off at her dad's house in the morning," Amanda said.

"That's convenient," Leah said with a laugh.

"I know it's selfish, but I wish it wasn't his weekend to have her," Amanda said.

"What?" Leah lightly slapped the back of Amanda's hand. "You love Julie to pieces!"

"I do. But I'm sure it's going to make jumping her dad's bones a bit awkward."

Jacob's response to her text dinged on her phone.

You'd better bring a pair of crutches. I don't think you'll be able to walk unaided after I fuck you all night.

At reading his words, a distracting throb pulsed between her thighs.

Are you almost home?

Getting on the plane now. Have to shut off phone soon.

Ugh. She wasn't sure she could wait several more hours to see him.

He sent another text. What are you doing? I'm imagining you lying in my bed touching yourself while you wait for me.

Well, there was a plan she could get behind. It would sure beat sitting here at the bar with her friend and the guy she was getting to know. Amanda was glad the two had finally started talking to each other, but she felt like an unnecessary and unwanted accessory to their good time.

That's quite the imagination you've got there, she messaged Jacob. Let's see if I can make those fantasies a reality.

If you do, you'd better record it so I can watch later.

I'd rather you watch in person.

I'm not going to argue with that. Got to go. Plane is taking off.

See you.

Amanda sighed as she dropped her phone on the table again. "Are you ready to head for home?" she asked Leah.

"You don't have to stay," Leah said.

They had a rule about abandoning each other at bars. Especially when one of them was in the company of a man neither of them knew well. "I'm not leaving you here by yourself."

"She's not by herself," Colton said. "She's with me."