Strong Safety by MacMillan Jerica

Author:MacMillan, Jerica
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Marycliff Press
Published: 2023-05-09T00:00:00+00:00

I hit my drink limit pretty quickly, but Isabelle seems to have no set idea of when she wants to stop. Despite her promise not to get so drunk she pukes in my car, she lets herself go more than I expect, and I stick close to her side all night, making sure she’s safe and unharassed.

Not that she’s in danger from my teammates. It’s just that after the night—month—she’s had, she doesn’t need to be hit on by a bunch of horny football players. And while the freshmen seem like they’ll do well eventually, they’re still in that early, overly excitable puppy stage, and a lone, drunk female wandering around would definitely get approached more than Isabelle needs tonight.

We bump into Dylan and Charity a few times, and Charity’s the one who eventually declares that Isabelle has had enough and I should take her home.

Isabelle pouts at Charity’s decision, looking up at me with her brow furrowed and her lower lip poking out. All I can do is grin at how adorable she is when she’s all fuzzy and messy like this. She’s normally so buttoned up and in control of herself, even when I know she’s freaking out after a confrontation with Luke-Ass. Her freakouts are very contained, though. She shuts down and closes in on herself.

Drunk Isabelle is chatty and affectionate, leaning against me as often as she likes, happy and warm and up for just about anything.

“Awww,” she drawls, placing a hand on my chest. “I’m having fun, though. I don’t wanna go home.”

“Trust me,” Charity says, patting her on the shoulder. Even though she’s clearly talking to Isabelle, she’s making eye contact with me. “You’ll be sorry tomorrow if you don’t stop now.”

“Fine,” Isabelle says, crossing her arms and cocking her hip, every inch of her giving off petulant toddler vibes.

I loop an arm around her. “Let’s go home. If you’re not ready to stop, we can watch a movie, or put on some music and have our own dance party. With water. Lots of it.”

She brightens at that suggestion, leaning into my side. “Really? I am crazy thirsty. That sounds nice. Would you dance with me?”

“Sure,” I say easily, doubting it’ll happen, but enjoying the notion. I’m not the best dancer, but I’d do it for Isabelle if she wanted. And at this point I’ll say just about anything to keep her pressed against me like this. “Let’s grab a water on our way out, okay?”

“Yay.” She claps her hands. “You’re the best, Caden. Why couldn’t I have met you last semester instead of your stinky friend? Or worse, Luke-Ass.” She doubles over into a fit of laughter, and I have to steady her so she doesn’t fall face first into a group of people blocking the way to the kitchen.

When she rights herself, clutching my arm for balance, the look she gives me is almost one of longing. Or maybe it is longing, and I’m just trying to convince myself it’s not, because I don’t know how seriously I should take her drunken declarations.

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