“Why did you bring her to a bar if she’s on the wagon, Jojo?” Paige asked, leaning forward.

“Why did you bring her Crown to her house? Why are you buying her shots now? I just wanted to have a couple of drinks and chat, not get her wasted so I could talk her into ungodly things.”

“You sure?” Paige asked with a sweet smile.

“Go fuck yourself, Paige.”

“Now, ladies,” I said, smiling when I felt the warmth settling into my muscles. “No need to fight over who is the best enabler.”

“It’s not funny,” Annie said, glaring at us with her round, chocolate eyes while she furiously dried a glass. “You’re both assholes if she was trying to get sober.” She looked at me. “You’re cut off, Ellie. Get the hell out of here.”

My mouth fell open. “What did I do?”

“You let me serve drinks to an alcoholic. I better not see you in here again or I’ll call Wick. Jojo … shame on you.”

Jojo made a face. “Oh, please. Like Daddy doesn’t come in here and get drunk when he fights with Mom.”

“Not for a long time,” Annie said, her shoulder-length brown curls shaking as she scolded and worked at the same time. “Take her home.”

“Okay … okay, we’re going,” I said, standing to gather my things.

“I’ll take you home,” Paige said.

“No.” I shook my head. “You still haven’t apologized for New Year’s Eve.”

Paige took a step toward me, six inches too far into my personal space. “What do you think I’m trying to do?”

She leaned in, tilted her head, and pressed her lips to mine. The snowboarders in the corner cheered like their favorite hockey team had just scored.

“Buy those girls a drink!” one of them yelled, pointing at us.

I looked to Annie, but she pointed to the door.

Paige led me out by the hand, but once we stepped into the alley, she backed up against the wall and yanked me toward her. Her tongue ring banged against my teeth, her hands firmly on each side of my face.

I heard someone giggle to my left, and I turned to a woman in the same position as Paige, pulling Sterling’s face against hers. Her knee was hitched to his hip.

His red-rimmed eyes drifted, and when he recognized me, I could see that he was just as drunk as I was, if not more. We watched each other for a long time, and then Sterling’s friend pulled him to face her again, demanding his attention.

Paige tried to do the same, but I backed away.

“Ellie?” Paige said, confused.