Running Mates by Emily Locker

Author:Emily Locker
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bancroft Press

CHAPTER

28

Sunlight streams across my face. A loud and powerful jack-hammer is smashing away in my head. I turn my face into my pillow and notice a strange smell—piney aftershave combined with body odor. My eyes fly open.

I’m in a room that’s not my own. A boy’s room. A fancy boy’s room with wood-paneled walls, ornate light fixtures, green plaid bedding, and posters of soccer players tacked haphazardly onto the walls.

I sit up frantically and jump out from underneath the covers. Phew! I’m still wearing the same clothes from last night. I smell my shirt and gag as the stench of stale beer overwhelms me. My curls are sticking up all over my head, and my attempts to pat them down only make it worse.

The door swings open, and I yelp as Gabe walks in with his hands over his eyes.

“Decent?”

I desperately try one last time to put my hair into place. “Yes.” I smile as if this moment isn’t unbearably humiliating.

“How’s my favorite monkey doing?” he teases.

“That’s Ms. Drunky Monkey to you,” I manage to joke back as memories of the preceding night slowly start to come back to me.

Gabe looks at me and winces. “You look a little rough. Since you don’t have my natural charm, you can’t really get away with the morning-after look.”

I grip the edge of his duvet until my knuckles pale. “Morning after? Did we… did you—” I can’t quite find the words.

Now Gabe’s cheeks flush. “No, no, you just passed out, and Mateo and I carried you upstairs. Since you were snoring so loudly, I bunked with him.” He smiles sweetly to let me know he’s joking.

The thought of the Delgado boys carrying me up the stairs generates conflicting emotions—a strong desire to die of embarrassment, while at the same time feeling more alive than ever.

“Why don’t you come down for breakfast? My parents saw your car and know we still have company.”

Parents. My parents. Oh god. “My parents have no idea where I am!” Frantic again, I search for my phone.

Gabe hands it to me from his pocket. “I think it’s taken care of.” He pauses. “I read your texts.”

“You what?”

“I didn’t want your parents sending out a search party for you, so I got Del’s number from Mary Sue.” He gives me a sheepish smile. “You’re welcome?”

I look over my texts:

Del at 12:34 pm: Where are you??? Your mom is freaking out!

Del at 12:48 pm: Gabe Delgado just texted me. He says you’re with him. What are you doing with Gabe at this hour?! I need one hundred details IMMEDIATELY! Lucky for you I saved your butt! When your mom texted me, I said you were at Mary Sue’s house. Did I mention I need DETAILS like now!

Del at 12:55 am: Now I’m freaking out. I think your parents would actually disown you if you lost your V to a Northsider!

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