Read Shades of Sydney (Sydney West #1) for Free Online Page B

PJs, but thought it would’ve been embarrassing if I had to get out of the car and help her outside. There was no way to know how many people were still at that party and I didn’t want them to see my puppy print nightgown. I changed into some blue jeans and slipped on a bra and black shirt. A yawn escaped from me as I stepped into a pair of flip-flops.
    It was time to fetch my friend.
    Turning onto the street Hunter told me to, I found the house easily. It was the only one all lit up and had people coming in and out of it like foam from a rabid dog.
    I had to park five car lengths away from the house. I pulled out my phone and called Hunter. He answered on the second ring, claiming to be headed my way. I told him I was waiting and hung up.
    To get Amelia faster, I got out of my car and tried to find her in the swarm of bodies. It was hard with all the people. I was tempted to climb onto the roof of my car and look for her, except I had a fear some lowlife would throw something or shove me, making me come crashing down to earth. I wasn’t in the mood to beat some asshole.
    In the distance, with the aid of a couple streetlights, I saw someone with shiny brown hair. Her head was bowed and she was only moving thanks to the two guys holding her up. To her left was Hunter. He whispered something to Amelia and turned to look at me. His eyes became sulky. He didn’t like seeing me. I was angry and had no problem expressing it. My body radiated rage, from my crossed arms over my chest to my lips in a firm line. Nothing about me was friendly.
    Unfortunately for me, the guy to Amelia’s right was Jason. Even from a distance, I could see his muscles at work. I took in his hair, his strong clenched jaw, and tight chest. Chest? I quickly moved my eyes back to his so I could concentrate on his face. If I looked at his body, my body might react in a way I didn’t want it to.
    “We’ll help her into your car,” Hunter said as they passed by me.
    I rushed to the car and opened the back door for them. They laid her inside gently and came to stand in front of me. I shut the door and leaned against it, frowning at them.
    “Do I even want to know what happened tonight?”
    Hunter shrugged. “We were having fun. Smoking some bud and drinking. I didn’t know she was such a lightweight. She had a lot of shots and a few puffs from the pipe. Not much of a partier. She went out pretty fast.”
    “This is the second time since we got here that she’s gotten messed up. Maybe I should talk to her about having one drink if she goes from zero to drunk.” I shook my head. “Thanks for bringing her outside. It’s very gentlemanly of you,” I said dryly.
    He rubbed the back of his neck, looking at the backseat’s window. “Tell her I’ll call her later when she wakes up.”
    I nodded and watched him disappear into the mass of bodies.
    Jason cleared his throat, reminding me he was still there.
    My glare flicked to him. “What do you have to say for yourself?”
    He laughed, not out of humor. “Who are you, my mother?”
    It was my turn to laugh. It sounded bitter. “Never mind. Forget it.” I walked to the front of the car. Jason put his hand on my wrist, stopping me. My skin felt feverish, like a flame was working its way through my cold body.
    My gaze went from his eyes to the hand encircling my wrist. He didn’t let go, wasn’t backing down.
    “Why did you leave the seafood restaurant?” he asked in a low voice.
    I felt my eyebrows meet in confusion. “What? What does that have to do with anything?”
    “I wanted to talk to you and you vaporized. Why?”
    I took a step toward him. “I didn’t like being there, o-kay? The food sucked and my friend ignored me. I didn’t see a reason to stay.”
    Something flashed across his eyes. It almost looked like pain. “I see,” he said coldly.
    “If you don’t mind, I should be getting Amelia home.”
    “Sure. Are you going to be okay taking her inside the house by yourself?”
    I