Saving Grace

Please. Just Please.

Chapter Fourteen

Jay

I laid in my bed staring at the ceiling and thinking about today. It was a great day. It was Cali's birthday. She named my horse after me. And I had almost kissed her. Almost being the key word there. All I did was kiss her on the cheek.

And Cali smiled. I swear to god, I nearly passed out. To some people, it might have just been a smile. But if you saw how unhappy and empty she looked all the time, you would want nothing more then to make her smile.

And that's exactly what I did. The way her eyes lit up and the smile stretched from ear to ear had my knees going weak. I was now determined to keep that happy look in her eyes permanently. The look only lasted for a few minutes, but I don't think I've ever seen someone as beautiful as Cali when she looked sincerely happy.

Excuse my girlyness. But it's so hard o describe the effect she has on me.

I didn't know if she felt the same way, but after tonight, I knew I was way past just crushing on her. She was the only girl who's touch could shoot electricity through my body and who's smile made my knees weak. She was perfect.

My iPhone rang next to me on the table and I picked it up. It said it was Cali. When I put my number in her phone, I also texted my phone so I could have her number. I was pretty sneaky. I picked up right away.

"Hey Cal."

"I need you. Now. Hurry."

"And what is it you need from me, sweetheart," I replied jokingly. I knew it wasn't that, but I loved to mess with her.

"Get your disgusting ass down here right now. I'm out front." I could tell she was serious. And pissed. I jumped out of bed and ran down the stairs. I got on to the porch and saw Preston leaning over Cali. It looked like she was struggling so I ran over to help.

I soon figured out Preston was drunk. He reeked of alcohol and was slurring whatever he was trying to say. He was such an idiot. Last time my grandpa found him drunk, he nearly got his ass kicked. He wasn't allowed to leave the farm for over two weeks. That's what he gets though for drinking underage and being stupid. Just like me....

Preston slumped over and leaned on Cali's car. She stared at him for a moment before turning to me. The look was gone, just letting you know. She looked scared and guilty. Like she had done something wrong. Why was he with her? So many question were spiraling through my mind. And then, suddenly, something clicked.

"Did you go out with him? Were you drinking? Are you drunk? Did you drive home drunk? How could you be so stupid?"

Not even a second later, her hand met my face. She slapped me hard. I was sure I would have a red handprint there tomorrow. That hurt a lot. Not just physically, but to be hit by her, hurt deep down. I don't know what I had asked that made her upset, but she deserved it if she had been so stupid.

"I'll have you know I'm as sober as ever. Haven't had a thing to drink. I got a call from Barbara at the bar to pick him up because I'm his drunk contact."

Oh thank god. I now understood the slap. I shouldn't have accused her. But I didn't understand the drunk contact?

"Your his what?"

She rolled her eyes and shook her head. She looked back over at Preston who had just thrown up in the grass. The kid was an absolute moron.

"Never mind. Just help me get him upstairs and in bed. Is Dale asleep?"

"Yeah," I whispered as I threw Preston's arm over my shoulder and practically dragged him up the porch stairs and into the house. I tried to make as little noise as possible, but it didn't really work. Preston just kept blabbering and smashing into things. He was a terrible drunk. I finally got him into his room and dropped him on the bed. I kind of just left him there and walked out of the room. He had already passed out a few minutes ago.