We both stare at each other in drunken confusion for a long moment.
“Well, stop whatever you’re doing,” I finally declare, giving up on the specifics.
“I’m literally not doing anything!”he protests, still completely unaware that his arm is draped around my shoulders like we’re posing for a couple’s photo.
“Good.Keep not doing it.”
“Fine!”
“Fine!”
We start walking again, both satisfied that we’ve solved absolutely nothing.
“I’ll walk you back,” he says, his words slightly slurred.
“You don’t...You don’t have to,” I slur out, swaying slightly.
“Okay,” he agrees, and we proceed to keep shuffling in the direction of my apartment.
The walk to my building takes longer than usual, both of us trying to navigate the sidewalk without tripping over our own feet or each other.Caleb keeps a steady hand on my elbow when I wobble.
The cold air helps clear some of the fog from my brain, but not enough to make me steady.My heels keep catching on the uneven sidewalk, and I have to grab Caleb’s arm more than once to keep from face-planting.
“Maybe I should carry you,” he suggests after I nearly trip for the third time.
“Touch me and die,” I warn, but there’s less heat in my words.
We’re almost at my building when I see a sight that has me temporarily sobering.
Luis is leaning against the brick wall by the entrance, arms crossed, waiting.It looks like he’s been waiting for a while now.
“Shit,” I breathe, coming to an abrupt stop.
Caleb follows my gaze, and his jaw tightens.“How does he know where you live?”
“Because we used to date,” I mutter, panic rising in my chest.“Why is he here?”
Luis straightens when he spots us, his face lighting up with that possessive smile I’ve grown to hate.“There you are, Eve.I’ve been waiting.”
“Go away, Luis,” I call out, but my voice wavers slightly.
“We need to talk,” he says, pushing off from the wall and walking toward us.
“No, we don’t,” I snap, trying to get my bearings.I’m too drunk.Not in complete control of myself.
“Stop being difficult, Eve,” Luis scowls.Then his eyes fall on Caleb.“What the hell is he doing here?Are you cheating on me?!”
“We’ve been broken up for months, Luis.”
“Over a misunderstanding.”
“Over you being a complete psycho case,” I rebut.“Look, stop showing up like this.It’s bordering on harassment now.”
But Luis isn’t looking at me.His eyes are on Caleb as he says slowly, “I know you.You’re that fucker from before.”
Before I can say anything, Caleb wraps his arm around my shoulders.“I’m Eve’s boyfriend.And you?”Caleb’s sudden declaration is so unexpected that it has me gaping at him in shock but he’s smiling nonchalantly as he looks at Luis.His arm, however, is gripping my shoulders tightly as if warning me to play along.
“You and him?”Luis’s upper lip curls in disbelief, or is it disdain.“You’re lying.”
