Hypnotized by Lacey Wolfe

though, and didn’t appear to be mad at me. After learning she’d met Kelly, I was nervous. Kelly hated me. I couldn’t really blame her. I’d made it easy for her to.
    Paisley sipped her OJ. “I don’t know why people do that all the time.”
    I smirked. “It’s fun while it’s happening. Guess that’s why they continue.”
    “It wasn’t fun, or at least not for long. Just when I started to feel good, I got sick.”
    “Have you ever really drank?”
    She shook her head as I suspected she would. “I’ve had a beer before, but never more than one. And Evan gave me some fruity drink last night. It was good. It just tasted like juice.”
    I had a good idea what he’d given her. Certain juices could hide the alcohol taste. “Beer and liquor are two different things.”
    “I can’t eat anymore.” She pushed her plate forward. “I really want to go home and take a nap before work.”
    The waitress had already set the ticket on the table. “I’ll take care of this. Go ahead outside.”
    After I paid for our breakfast at the register, I found Paisley with her helmet on and leaning against the bike. I slipped my own helmet on then leaned over and kissed her cheek. We climbed on the bike, and Paisley’s weight was heavy against me. I hoped she could handle the short ride back to her place.
    Ten minutes later, I led her up the stairs to her house. Once inside, she went straight to her couch, pulled the blanket off the back of it, and lay down. I wasn’t sure if I should stay or not. For now, I sat down next to her and rubbed her back.
    “So, how was meeting Kelly?” It might not be the best time to ask, but I was curious.
    “She’s pretty, and she’s got the hots for Evan.”
    “She’s nowhere near as pretty as you are.”
    Paisley grinned. “She also said you’d say whatever you had to in order to get me to sleep with you.”
    Of course Kelly did. “I’m sure at the moment I’m not trying to get in your pants, so obviously I’m speaking the truth.”
    “You really know how to make a girl feel special.” Her eyes closed.
    “I only want to make you feel special.” I bent forward and kissed her cheek. “You rest. I’ll call you in a bit to check on you.”
    “All right. Thanks for coming to get me.”
    “I would’ve come last night. I’m always here for you.” I stood and stared at her a moment. Hopefully after a nap, she’d be on her way to feeling better.
    I, on the other hand, needed to go see Kelly and Pete to put a stop to the rumors.
    * * *
    Kelly was meeting me at a park near her place later that day. Pete was working—thank God. I hated the idea of being alone with Kelly, but I didn’t have much of a choice. It wasn’t like she was going to stop being around Paisley, especially if she was sniffing around Evan. I needed to make my intentions clear to Kelly on how I felt about Paisley, and hopefully she’d relay it to her brother and they’d drop this cherry popper rumor.
    As I walked across the crisp green grass, I saw her sitting on a wooden bench. When I approached, she glanced over her shoulder and smiled.
    “Hey there, stranger.” She winked and pat the bench.
    I sat down on the creaky wood next to her. “It’s been awhile.”
    “I recall the last time I really spoke to you in any length of time was right after you took my virginity.”
    She said that like I never spoke to her again. Hell, I’d just seen her a few weeks ago at the grocery store. What Kelly and I had wasn’t anything like what Paisley and I have. Things with Kelly were never serious, at least not to me. Sure I sweet-talked her some—more than I probably should have. But I never told her we would be forever. “We were together after that. You make it sound like that’s all I wanted and once I got it, I was gone.”
    She rolled her eyes. “It sure as hell felt that way.”
    “It wasn’t, and you and Pete are making a bad name for me.” I sighed. “I like Paisley, I don’t want you messing things