Slider by Stacy Borel Page A

least I had the sense to look guilty. Turner cocked his head to the side watching me. “Hmmm, well, that might be a problem.”
    Keegan’s glassy eyes were trying to focus on me. “Why’s that?”
    “I may have pushed her over her limit,” he admitted.
    “Hey, I’m a big girl, I could have refused the drink.”
    He raised his brow. “You wouldn’t have.”
    “Awfully sure of yourself.”
    “Maybe, but I know women, Annabelle.”
    His arrogant remark washed over me, reminding me just who he was, and what his last name was. The fun little charade was over, and I needed to remember that I wasn’t interested. Based on how he sank down into his shoes, I think he realized his comment may have come across more crass than he’d intended.
    Too late.
    “I think it’s time for that ride home now.” The coldness of my voice was heard loud and clear. He effectively categorized me with every other woman in here that had approached him throughout the night. I was ready for my pajamas and my bed.
    I walked away from Turner and Keegan and went to the other girls who were now doing body shots off a girl that was lying across the bar. I told them we were wrapping up our night. The bride was done and needed to get some sleep. They bitched and moaned about it, but I refused to leave them here, and wasn’t going to stick around this place any longer than I had too. I’d taken one for the team, and then some. I’d fulfilled my bridesmaid duties and partied hard, but I was done.
    When I stepped outside for some fresh air, Turner was following behind with a very inebriated Keegan. He leaned her up against a brick wall and told me he was going to get his truck. Glancing around at my surroundings, we were the only ones on this side of the building. The air was thick with humidity, and after being in an overcrowded room, the temperature felt about the same. I should have asked the bartender for a bottle of water before I left. Leaning against the warm stone, I reached over and brushed Keegan’s hair out of her face.
    “You doing okay?”
    “Yep.” She hiccupped.
    I laughed at my friend. Despite how my night was closing, I was glad I had her, and that she asked me to come. I didn’t question though, that Camden would have had all of our asses if he saw her like this. The door that we’d just came out of flew open and a loud Macie, Erin, and Jordan all filed out with a couple of male tagalongs trailing. Oh if they thought they were all coming to my house, they would be sadly mistaken. Macie was about to dive into a heavy make out session with Surfer Boy, while the other man was sizing up which one of the other two girls would be a for sure deal for him. He was leaning toward Jordan when a black Escalade pulled up to the curb. Turner got out, and rounded the front of his vehicle.
    “Ladies,” Turner stated, but was looking right at the one about to devour Macie.
    She stopped what she was about to do and childishly stuck her tongue out at him. “Party pooper.” Clearly she heard the warning.
    Rolling his eyes, Turner scolded, “Get in the car, Macie. I have a feeling my brother would rearrange that kid’s face if he saw what you were about to do. So don’t make me do it for him.”
    “No fun.” She slapped his butt as she passed Turner, opening the back door, and falling inside.
    The other two girls piled in, while Turner went straight for Keegan. He took her by her elbow and kept her balanced as he gently assisted her into the backseat. Looking around, I realized there was only room left for me up front with him. I really should have drank more. The two guys threw out a couple not so friendly words toward Turner before they disappeared back into the building. I stared straight ahead as he got into the driver’s side and we began moving forward.
    “I’m going to need you to direct me. I don’t know where I’m going.”
    I nodded, knowing he saw. I should have thought ahead and just called a cab. I didn’t like that