After I got back inside and lay down on the backseat, we were quiet for a long time.
Finally Cole spoke. “We are so grounded,” he said as he pulled off the road and into the driveway.
“I’ve never been grounded before,” I told him with a yawn. I should have felt a sense of panic, but my head was too empty and exhaustion was starting to take over.
“You’re in for a treat,” he said, as he parked the truck. It took a moment for him to climb out and shut his door quietly, but finally mine clicked open and he helped me as I pushed myself up into a sitting position. “I need you to be quiet when we sneak in, okay?”
“Shhh!” I said, putting my finger to my lips, which were tugging up in a sleepy grin.
“Exactly,” Cole said. “Now how about I help you outta there?” He put his hands around my waist, and as he lifted me from the truck, his finger brushed underneath the jersey on my bare skin.
“My legs feel funny,” I said when he set me down. My knees buckled as I tried to take a step.
“Whoa there,” he said, and suddenly my world tilted as Cole scooped me up in his arms. I let my eyes flutter shut as he carried me up the front path, his strong arms supporting me easily. It was a bit tricky for Cole to open the door while I was in his arms, but finally he managed to jiggle the handle enough for it to turn.
The hall light flipped on. “Care to explain what’s going on?”
“Ah hell,” Cole mumbled, and I opened my eyes.
“‘Ah hell’ is right,” Katherine said. She was standing at the bottom of the staircase in her robe. It looked as if she had been waiting for us.
“Hi, Katherine,” I said, lifting my head so I could smile and wave.
“Is she…?” Mrs. Walter said, trailing off in disbelief.
“Drunk?” Cole finished for her. “Yeah.”
Katherine just stared at the two of us, mouth hanging open.
“Mom? What’s going on?” Alex asked, appearing at the top of the stairs. Katherine closed her eyes and put a hand to her forehead in frustration. “Hello?” Alex asked again when nobody answered.
“Alex, help Jackie to her room, and then go back to sleep. Okay?” Katherine said in a non-negotiable voice.
He nodded and took me from Cole. I closed my eyes and snuggled closer to Alex, taking in the smell of his body wash.
“You stay where you are,” I heard Katherine say. Cole must have tried to follow Alex up the stairs.
“Aww, come on,” I heard him complain. “I was the responsible designated driver.”
Alex turned the corner and headed toward my room, cutting off Katherine’s response. He pushed my bedroom door open with his foot and then rubbed his back up against the wall for the light switch. Once it was on, he gently laid me on my bed and reached over to take off my shoes.
“You’re only in your boxers,” I said, giggling at him.
“What? Oh yeah,” he said, looking down at himself as if he’d just noticed the lack of clothes. He blushed but continued to untie my laces. “Do you need a glass of water, Jackie?”
“No,” I said and yawned, “but I’d like a kiss.”
“Go to sleep, silly,” he said before quickly pecking me on the cheek.
“Night, Alex,” I told him as he turned off the light.
“Night, Jackie,” he responded and shut my door.
***
I quickly learned that Mr. and Mrs. Walter were not afraid to punish me. The next morning I woke up to a wicked hangover and Katherine sitting on the edge of my bed.
“How are you feeling, Jackie?” she asked, offering me a Tylenol and a glass of water.
“Um, I’ve been better,” I replied, slowly pushing myself up. My head was pounding, but I was more uncomfortable with the fact that Katherine was smiling at me.
“I don’t doubt,” she said with a knowing look as I popped the medicine into my mouth. “But school starts in two hours, so you need to get ready.”
“Thanks,” I said, nodding my head nervously as she stood up. Katherine should be yelling at me, not helping me nurse my headache.
“Of course, dear,” she said, crossing my room. She dropped the bomb when she reached the door. “Oh, and, Jackie, honey? You and Cole are both grounded. Three weeks.”
It meant we were restricted to the house with the exception of school, no watching TV or playing video games, and absolutely no friends. Truthfully I didn’t mind that much, as I figured it would give me time to refocus my priorities. My real punishment was the guilt. I could feel it in my lungs and chest, and in the heat of my blush. Something about skipping school with Cole had been so fun, so…liberating. For a few hours, I’d forgotten about my family and what Mary had said. That thought alone was terrifying.