Page 2

“So? I have the whole weekend to recover, and what better way to start our senior year in college?”

I have no answer to that. I can feel her watching me, waiting, head resting on a hand, elbow propped on a raised knee. A yawn followed by a loud hiccup interrupts the brief moment of silence, making me jump. I expect the smell of sour beer to fill the small space between us in the car, butno. Her breath smells minty, like she’s just brushed her teeth. It’s not fair. If I hadn’t shared a womb with her, I’d think she was a fairy, a vampire, or some other beautiful and mystical creature. That annoys me even more.

“Seriously! Did you have to drink that much? We’re not even twenty-one yet.”

“Pfft. Another week.”

I give her a quick side-eye glance and put my full attention on the road ahead of us.

The light turns from green to yellow as soon as I reach the intersection. I curse under my breath. My right foot leaves the gas, but it’s too late. I can’t brake now. My hands grasp the wheel tighter as I step on the gas again and speed up in an attempt to get through the wide intersection before the traffic light turns red.

“I went through a yellow light.” I speak more to myself than River. She hears me anyway.

“It’s just a yellow light. You need to relax. You need a drink,” River slurs.

Ugh. No, thank you. I can’t imagine what kind of drunk I’d be, but I’m sure it wouldn’t be the beautiful, sexy, and fun kind like Miss-Drop-Dead-Gorgeous-Every-Guy-I-Ever-Met-Fell-In-Love-With-Me. AKA, my sister.

No.

I’m not bitter at all.

Red and blue lights in my rearview mirror catch my attention a second before I hear the police siren.

“Shit!”

There’s no denying that River is drunk, or at least very tipsy if the claim of her beer bath is to be believed. The smell of alcohol fills the car and hangs heavily in the heat I have blasting through the vents. With one last glance at the rearview mirror, I turn the blinkers on and drive into an empty strip mall, park below one of the light poles, turn off the ignition, and look down at myself.

“Shit! Shit! Shit!”

When River called, I rolled out of bed, slipped on my pink bunny slippers, grabbed my keys, and left. It’s just a four-mile drive to the party, and I wasn’t planning on leaving the car. I didn’t even grab a jacket. I’m wearing a pink tank top and red boy-shorts PJs. And did I mention pink bunny slippers? It’s an early birthday gift Mom shipped to us. Mom’s idea of a joke, because Riggings University has a D1 hockey team. Mom said this is our last chance to be puck bunnies since we’re graduating in May.

River leans into me, squints, and giggles when she sees what’s on my feet.

“You’re wearing Fuzzy One and Fuzzy Two!”

She named our slippers when we got them—hers are called Dick and Cock. Don’t ask—but right about now, both Fuzzy One and Fuzzy Two have the urge to kick my sister’s ass.

I’m angry at her for putting us in this situation, for all the drinking in the last few months. For not letting me in and talking to me. I don’t know what’s going on with River. She’s always been a free spirit, full of life, but she’s never been irresponsible before.

Not like this.

She’s leaning over my knees, the seatbelt stretched to the max, and is trying to pet my slippers. I grab her by the shoulders and push her off me and back into her own seat. My death glare never fazed her before, so I try sweet instead.

“Don’t say a word, okay? Please stay quiet and let me handle it.”

A knock on my window makes me jump, and I push the button to roll it all the way down. I find myself staring at someone’s narrow waist and hips.

Just how tall is this guy?

A light shines on my face and then over to the passenger and back seats before returning to my face. I instinctively raise my hand to block the light in my eyes.

“Do you know why I pulled you over?”

“I went through a yellow light. It changed as soon as I reached the intersection. I’m sorry, Officer.”

My voice is steady, even. It doesn’t betray how nervous I am. I can’t quite see his face, the flashlight still somewhat shining in my eyes.

“Going through a yellow light when it just turns from green wouldn’t get you pulled over, but you also have a brake light out.”