Chapter 19
Jill headed toward the car barefoot. Those damn freaking shoes were going to burn the first chance she got. Putting her earpiece in, she frowned; this was going to be painful.
“Hey,” she said, waiting for the fallout.
“Hey? Hey!” Sloan yelled, making her grab her ear. “That’s all you’ve got to say is fucking HEY?”
Swallowing hard, Jill glanced around the parking lot, digging in her bag for her keys. “Actually, no.” She opened the door, getting in; okay, she actually fell in. Maybe those last two drinks with the girls in the back was a bad idea. “I don’t think I should be driving.”
“Jill, what’s wrong?” Slade sounded pissed, but not as pissed as Sloan.
“I’ve got a slight…buzz going,” she giggled. What the hell, she didn’t giggle…ever, and why she found that funny was beyond her.
“Shit,” Slade hissed in her ear, but he sounded funny.
“I got her.” Sid’s voice interrupted more cussing. “Jill, you see that dumpster to your left?”
Jill looked, rising up to see over the car parked next to her. “Yup.”
“Pull up next to that. I’m going to slide in,” Sid ordered.
“Roger,” Jill snorted, wondering what the hell was wrong with her. She’d pissed Sloan off. Slade didn’t sound too happy, yet she was giggling like a girl. She had never been drunk before and it wasn’t like she was stumbling drunk, but she felt pretty damn good and kind of funny; ha-ha funny. She laughed again.
“Jill, how much did you have to drink?” Jared chuckled.
“Only a glass and a half.” She started the car, putting it in reverse. “Of Jax and Coke.”
“Jax?” Sid replied, his voice muffled, indicating he was on the move. “What the fuck is Jax and Coke.”
“I think she means Jack and Coke,” Jared snickered.
Jill pulled up to the dumpster, slammed the brakes too hard and waited. Her door opened, causing her to jump. “Shit, Sid, you scared me.”
“Scoot.” He used his butt to push her over and took off. “Got her.”
“Everyone, get your asses back to the compound, now.” Sloan’s order was harsh and loud.
Jill pulled out her earpiece, closing it up in her palm. “Why is he such an asshole?” Jill frowned.
“I can still fucking hear you. Goddamn people! Learn how to quiet your mic before you start insulting me,” Sloan growled loud enough that she heard him through her hand where she held the earpiece.
Jill’s eyes shot wide open as she looked at Sid in shock, pointing to her hand in disbelief. “How did he hear me?”
Sid was laughing so hard he couldn’t answer, but pointed at her neck. When she raised her hand her fingers touched the choker and her face comically shifted to horror as she realized what she had done. Reaching around, she pulled off the choker, shoving it in her bag.
Pulling into a gas station, Sid looked over at Jill who had laid her head back on the seat. “I would suggest you not do that. You need to stay awake and alert.” He grinned, shaking his head. “I’m going in to get you some coffee so you can fully understand the ass-chewing you are about to get. Lock the door.”
Jill raised her head as soon as Sid spoke. Once he slammed the door, she locked it. “Drinking is way overrated.” She rubbed her head, which was starting to hurt. Taking her wig off, she shoved that in her bag also. Lowering the sun visor, she pulled out the hair clips Caroline had used, and then peeled her fake lashes off. “And dammit, it hurts being a woman.”
She hit the unlock button for Sid. He slid in, handing her coffee. “Drink up.”
“Where’s the cream and sugar?” Jill opened the lid, blowing on the coffee.
“Black is best.” He grinned at her as he backed out, and pulled onto the road.
“I have to have sugar.” Jill went to put the lid back on.
“Jill, I’m telling you the truth here. You want to be sober and on your toes, because Sloan is pissed.” Sid laughed when she groaned.
“I hate coffee without sugar,” she griped, but drank it anyway.
Pulling into the compound, Jill sighed. “How bad is it going to be?” she said once they got out of the car.
“You just better hope that this works out with Georgie boy.” Sid shook his head. “Took balls doing what you did, that’s for sure.”
Jill headed up the walkway to the door, but stopped. Slade leaned against the wall, his arms crossed as only Slade did as he waited for her. She took another sip of her coffee watching as he nodded to Sid, but his eyes never left hers.
“You okay?” His voice was deep, without emotion.
Nodding, Jill slowly walked toward him. “Are you mad at me, too?”
His lips twitched, but he didn’t smile. “We’ll talk about that later.” He reached out, lifting her chin up, kissing her softly. “Let’s get this over with first.”
“Okay.” When he turned to open the door, she stopped. “Did he really hear me call him an asshole?”