But what the hell did I do wrong? She was sending all the right signals that she was interested. Did she want me to buy her a drink first? Funny how I was wishing for a challenge tonight and when it was staring at me in the face I screwed it up like an idiot. "Caleb!" I heard another girl yell behind me, but I was no longer in the mood for anything but my bed. I closed my eyes and inhaled the refreshing air as I stepped out of the club. I had parked my car at the end of the lot and walked hurriedly to it, afraid that someone would see me and push me back to the club. I'd rather chew my arm off than go back in there. My steps faltered as I spotted the unmistakable silhouette of a woman leaning against the filthy brick walls of the club parking lot. She probably had too much to drink and was puking her guts out. I would have been happy to leave her in peace but when I glanced at her again, I noticed a man leering at her from a few feet away. My instincts to protect kicked up as the man straightened and walked toward her. The woman shifted and the poor lighting from the street lamp touched her face. My eyes widened in incredulity as I recognized the girl in red at the club. I didn't need to think twice and went straight for her. The man hadn't noticed me yet as his gaze was concentrated on her. On the prize. The only prize he was getting tonight was a bloody nose if he didn't stop and turn his ass around. When his hand closed around her wrist, I nearly growled. The anger surprised me, but I had to shake it off or this night would turn into a shit storm. I knew he finally saw me when he froze. "Hey, baby! Where have you been?" I exclaimed, deliberately making my steps light and easy. I refused to look at her for fear what I'd see there. If she looked even remotely scared, I was going to hit this dumb shit in the face. "I've been looking everywhere for you. I got her now." When he refused to let go of her, I widened my stance, stretched my neck from side to side and flexed my arms. And stared him down. The pervert moved back a step, two, three, until he whipped around and started running in the opposite direction. "Dumb shit," I said under my breath. "What d-did you call me?" Surprised that she heard me, I studied her face. How drunk was she? "Not you. Although I guess dumb is debatable. What are you doing here alone? Woah." My hands shot out to hold her up as she swayed on her feet again. "You all right?" It was too dark inside the club to notice but I could see her face was pale now, eyes glassy. Without waiting for her reply, I scooped her up in my arms. She let out a weak protest. "Do you need to throw up?" I asked, shaking her a little when she didn't respond. She moaned in distress, covering her mouth with her hands. That wasn't a smart move on my part. When she looked like she wasn't going to puke, I settled her carefully inside my car. "You're not going to throw up in here, are you? I just got this car." She looked like she passed out already. "Where do you live? I'll drive you." "H-homeless," she whimpered, surprising me that she'd responded. "Kicked out of my p-place." Leaning against the headrest, I took a deep breath and rubbed my face. Now what? I could drop her off to a hotel, pay her lodging for a few days so she'd have a place to stay while she looked for a new place, a job, whatever she needed. It was more than a stranger would do. But then I glanced at her and all those plans evaporated in the air. Her eyes were closed, her breathing even and shallow, but even in sleep she looked troubled. This girl who was so fierce on the dance floor looked so vulnerable now. Her face seemed familiar to me, like a picture remembered from a long time ago, but I couldn't place where I'd seen her before. I wouldn't forget a face like hers. My brother always liked to point out that I was a sucker for damsels in distress. I figured he was right when I decided to take her to my apartment. I told myself she would not be safe in a hotel, especially in her current state. God knows what would have happened if I didn't show up. I started the car and turned the A/C on full blast. She was going to have a hell of a hangover when she wakes up tomorrow morning. We were a few minutes away from my apartment when she suddenly jerked up in her seat, covering her mouth. Shit, no. She threw up all over my car. I nearly cried. My brand new car! The sound of gagging was bad enough, but the smell of it was so putrid I nearly gagged myself. Desperately opening the windows and sunroof, I let out the breath I was holding and frantically gasped for air. "Damn, girl. One good deed and—" She threw up again. "Maaan!" Pissed, I debated if I should drop her off at a hotel. I didn't know this girl. Even my savior complex had a limit. But I couldn't do it. Resigned, I parked my car in my spot and warily approached the passenger seat. Holding my breath, I cleaned her as much as I could and scooped her up in my arms. She stank to high heaven. In the lobby one of the security guards in my building pressed the elevator doors for me since my hands were full. "Your girlfriend had too much to drink, sir?" "Now you and I both know I don't do girlfriends, Paul." I winked at him and he chuckled. As soon as the elevator doors opened on my floor, I went straight to the guest bedroom. She curled up like a tiny kitten and whimpered when I gently laid her on the bed. "Mom," she sobbed. I hesitated at the door, glancing back at her. Whatever this girl went through wasn't pleasant. I should probably clean her up and change her clothes, but I didn't think she'd appreciate it in the morning to discover a stranger had stripped her. I might lose an eye or hand if I did. I better not risk it. Her breathing eventually evened out, but I didn't know how long I stayed there watching her sleep. Veronica The soft warmth of sunlight on my skin woke me. I savored the clean white sheets covering me, thinking of how sweet my mom was for changing them. Content, I smiled and burrowed. My mom. It wasn't possible. My mom was dead.