RECKLESS - Part 1 by Alice Ward Read Free Book Online

thoughts when he reached around me.
    Well, in all actuality, he spooked me; I just about jumped out of my skin.
    “It’s okay,” he said. “Just grabbing you something that might make you feel more comfortable.” He placed a cotton shirt in my hands.
    Had I not been in the state I was, I might have argued, but right then and there, I felt even more vulnerable than I had the night before. I was pretty grateful for the offer, so I simply said, “Thanks.”
    "Not a problem," he said, rocking back on his heels before standing upright. “You ready to eat now?”
    My lips pursed tightly. I wanted to say yes, but I also didn't want to intrude any further than I already had. "No, that's okay. You're cleaning up, and I should get home," I said. And then I remembered. "Oh my God. I need to call Becca. She's probably worried sick."
    He walked over to the counter and grabbed my purse sitting just on the other side of the counter. I hadn't noticed it before, but it'd been there the entire time. "I think your cell phone is dead," he said, handing me my belongings after I pulled his shirt over my head. "I tried it before we left, hoping maybe I could get a hold of your friend, but it wouldn't turn on."
    I exhaled a heavy sigh. "Thanks," I said, standing, carefully at first, to make sure my legs would support me.
    "You really should eat something,” he said. “It would help you feel a little better."
    "I've already intruded enough," I said with a quick shake of my head.
    His teeth dug into his bottom lip in what appeared to be irritation, but I couldn’t be certain. "Well, how about I at least give you a ride home and a granola bar?"
    "Oh, it's okay. I can walk.”
    "You sure about that?" he asked, the corners of his mouth tilting up slightly. "I live ten minutes from campus."
    My mouth dropped open. "Wow, that's a long way to drive to go to school every day."
    "I graduated last year," he said with a shrug. "I mostly just go there now to set up gigs."
    "So, if you already graduated, why do you still play at the college?"
    "It's the group we appeal to the most. Plus, most of the guys are still in school."
    “Oh,” I said softly, standing there like an oaf, not really sure what to say or do next. This man was beginning to look more and more like a ball of contradictions and I wasn’t sure what to make of him anymore.
    "So, you still want to walk?" he asked, interrupting my train of thought… or lack thereof.
    I bit at the inside of my cheek for a bit, trying to think of any other way to get home. Unfortunately, I was pretty helpless without my phone. "No," I finally said with a sigh. "I suppose not. You wouldn't mind, would you? Giving me a ride, I mean?"
    "Not at all," he said with a light chuckle. The hearty, masculine sound filled my ears and bounced around in my aching brain. But it also sent a tingling sensation through the rest of my body. Or maybe it was the scent of his cologne on the shirt I was wearing, wafting into my nose and clouding my brain.
    Yeah, I needed to get home. Preferably before I turned into a mindless sheep.

***
    When I walked through the door of our dorm, Becca practically tackle hugged me, a look of complete relief painting every one of her features. "Oh my God, you're okay," she said, squeezing the air out of me.
    "Yeah, I'm okay," I choked out with what felt like my last breath of air. "Think I can breathe now?"
    "Oh. Sorry." She released me and took a step back. I could tell by the way she played with the strands of purple bangs that she'd been really worried. "So, what happened? After I left? Why didn't you come home last night?"
    "Someone drugged my drink," I said, tears surfacing once again. God, would I ever get past just how close I'd come to the unthinkable?
    Becca's eyes were glistening with tears as well. "Oh my, God. I'm so, so sorry, Andy. Are you—okay?"
    "Yeah,” I said, choking a little at the sob bubbling in the back of my throat. “Jace found me unconscious on the grass and took me