Page 27 of Lumi

“Why, are ye sick?” I pulled my car to the side and stopped before turning to her. “How much did ye have to drink?”

“A few drinks,” she said with a slur in her voice.

I pulled the parking brake and leaned closer to see her pupils. “Did ye take any drugs?”

“Noo.”

“This is yer first time drinkin’, isn’t it?”

“I’m eighteen; it’s not illegal.”

“I didn’t say that it was.”

“You know what else isn’t illegal?”

“What?”

“Sex. I can have sex.” Lumi gave a drunken laugh and took me by surprise when she planted a wet kiss on my lips.

At first, I stiffened, and then I jerked my head back and touched my mouth. “What the hell?” I closed my eyes — angry at Lumi for jeopardizing our friendship, which was one of the most important relationships in my life. Megan’s accusation tonight resounded in my mind.

“Ye always effin’ jump when that girl calls ye. Ye're not her father or brother. I’ve told ye that she has a massive crush on ye, and I’m startin’ to think ye’re in love with her too.”

I had told Megan to control her jealousy and that Lumi had been through more than most adults.

“What did ye do that for?” I asked Lumi with a frown.

She stared at me. “Why don’t you want me? You don’t love Megan. The two of you fight all the time.”

I sighed. “Lumi, I love ye. There’s a special bond between us, but I’m…” I didn’t get a chance to finish before she leaned over and kissed me again.

"What are ye doing? Stop that shite.”

“But you said that you loved me.”

“As a friend, Lumi. Ye’re drunk and horny, but I’m not goin’ to scratch your itch. I’m with Megan.”

“I won’t tell her.” Lumi tried kissing me again, but this time I was prepared, and with my hands to her shoulders, I pushed her back.

“Ye won’t have anythin’ to tell. I’m not the kind of man to fool around. Especially not with a drunk teenage girl. Hell, I’m worried ye’re going to puke in my car.”

Lumi’s eyes widened before she pulled back in her seat and made herself small. Even in the dimmed light, I could see moisture in her eyes. I had never been good with crying girls, and not knowing what else to do, I began driving again.

“Lumi, look, it’s the alcohol. Tomorrow ye’ll laugh about it. Or maybe not tomorrow, but one day it’ll be funny to ye.”

Lumi was hiding her face, and I could hear her sniffle the way people do when they’re trying to hide that they’re crying.

I pointed to the glove compartment. “There are tissues in there.”

She opened it and took out a few paper tissues and blew her nose.

“Why didn’t you call Charles or Liv tonight?”

She sniffled. "I was scared, and you were the one I thought about first."

I straightened in my seat from the pride in my chest. “I’m honored.” Reaching out, I took her hand. “Promise that ye’ll be careful. Ye’re a beautiful lass. The lads are goin’ to come on to ye; it’s inevitable. Don’t drink so much. Ye’ll need to have a clear head.”

Lumi turned her face and stared out the window. For minutes we drove in silence, but then as my car rolled down her street, she suddenly said, “I drank for courage.”