Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 132321 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 662(@200wpm)___ 529(@250wpm)___ 441(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132321 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 662(@200wpm)___ 529(@250wpm)___ 441(@300wpm)
Jigsaw chokes, then snorts with laughter. “Eyebrow raise of judgment?” He raises his eyebrows higher.
Oh God. No. What if he thinks I’m making fun of his scar? “I didn’t mean…” Now I’m fixated on the faint jagged line running across his forehead through his eyebrow. Did he get in an accident? A fight? I can’t ask. That’s rude.
He doesn’t seem to notice my inappropriate staring. “It’ll take a bit to fully kick in and it’s gonna last for a few hours.” His voice is nothing but sympathy and concern. Not a trace of contempt for how dumb I am for eating something a stranger gave me.
Hot tears sting my eyeballs. “My father will kill me if I embarrass him here.”
“I’m going to kill Sparky for not warning you.” He lifts his head, his intense gaze scanning the party.
“I still have one if you want it.” I reach into my purse and pull out the crinkly cellophane-wrapped evil brownie.
He takes it from me and smirks, then turns it to show me the iridescent green sticker on the back in the shape of a marijuana leaf.
“Oh.” Damn, why didn’t I notice that? Would it have mattered if I did? “You can have it.”
“Nah.” He hands it back to me. “I think I better stay clear-headed to watch over you.”
“Watch over me?”
“You said you’ve never done it before.”
“Oh, I’ve done it.” I clap my hand over my mouth and giggle.
Why are you brining up sex when there’s nothing to brag about? My brain is truly scrambled.
His lips twitch with amusement.
“Jiggy! There ya are!” A short, pretty blonde runs up behind Jigsaw and wraps her arms around his neck, halting whatever he was about to say. “Where ya been hiding?”
He reaches up and pats her arm. “I’m hardly hiding, songbird.” He tips his head back and smiles at her. “What’re you up to?”
“I was watching Grace, but she wanted her momma, so Hope took her inside for a nap.”
A nap. Maybe that’s what I need.
“Shelby.” Jigsaw reaches over and taps my arm. “Have you met Margot?”
“Sorry, I’m being rude.” Shelby steps closer, holding out her hand. “Hi, Margot.”
“Margot’s a friend of the club.” Jigsaw tilts his head at me. “Shelby’s Rooster’s fiancée.”
“Oh!” Recognition flits through my fuzzy brain. “I met Rooster.”
Shelby’s eyes narrow slightly.
“Hey, Margot,” Rooster’s deep rumbling voice interrupts. He wraps his arms around Shelby’s waist and leans down to kiss her cheek.
“Hi.” I wiggle my fingers. “How are you?”
Jigsaw stands and pulls Rooster aside, whispering something in his ear. Rooster snorts and glances at me, then nods.
Great, is Jigsaw telling everyone I’m a dope who ate a dope-laced brownie?
“We’re gonna grab food,” Rooster says, taking Shelby’s hand. “You want us to bring you back a plate?” he asks.
I clutch my stomach and shake my head.
“Nice to meet ya, Margot,” Shelby says. “I’m sure I’ll see you again before the night’s over.”
When they’re out of earshot, I lean over to Jigsaw. “Did you have to tell him?”
“I tell Rooster everything.” He doesn’t even bother denying it and he doesn’t look embarrassed.
“Everything?”
The corner of his mouth lifts. “Almost everything.” His expression flattens into something more serious. “I wanted to let him know so he can ask Sparky to stop handing out those damn brownies.”
“Don’t get Sparky in trouble. He was so nice to us.”
He ducks his head and laughs. “Fuckin’ Sparky.”
“Margot! There you are.” My father’s frazzled voice rushes up behind me.
Another wave of dizziness sloshes around my stomach.
I brace myself against the table and turn. As my father gets closer, I straighten my spine and try to erase all evidence that I’m high from my face.
“Hi, Dad! What’s up?” I ask in a cartoonishly chipper tone.
Jigsaw cough-laughs into his fist.
I’d kick him if I didn’t think I’d fall off the bench.
When I don’t immediately jump up, my father frowns. “I received a call for a pick-up. I have to go but—”
“I can take her home, Mr. Cedarwood. No problem,” Jigsaw offers.
My father seems…relieved? He tilts his head and stares at Jigsaw. “It’s a long drive. Are you sure?”
Jigsaw nods. “I remember how to get there.”
Dad frowns, his gaze sliding between us. “Is that okay with you, Margot?”
“Yes,” I answer a little too fast.
He stares at Jigsaw for a few beats. “If you’re sure…”
“I haven’t been drinking, sir,” Jigsaw answers like the most responsible college boy in the dorm. “I’m good to take her home whenever she says she’s ready to go.”
Surprisingly, my father seems satisfied. “Well, I hate to make you leave early.” He glances at Jigsaw again. “If you’re sure you don’t mind.”
“It’s really not a problem.” Jigsaw lifts his chin. “I promised Teller I’d be available to give rides to any guest who needed one tonight.”
“Well, that’s very nice of you.” My father holds out his hand and Jigsaw shakes it quickly. “Thank you, Jensen.”