I huff out my nose, and it’s only now that I realize that I’m swaying a little. “Claire…” I warn, even though I don’t know what I’m pushing against. Honestly, it feels nice letting loose. The voices have quieted down in my head and I feel…light.
“Oh, we’re so drunk.” She laughs, pouring a little extra vodka in my cup. “Ooopsies.” She exaggerates.
“Speak for yourself. I’m—” a hiccup escapes my lips, making us both crack up in laughter. “I’m totally sober.”
She hands me my now full cup and my eyes drift back to the beer pong table, and catch on Gabe.
A worried feeling comes over me as soon as I see his face. No longer happy and full of life, he looks angered. His jaw tense and fists tight at his sides.
What the—
I follow his eyeline and see that tall, broody man that’s always at the bar.Wyatt,Gabe had called him. Standing there at the back door, Wyatt stares back at Gabe with that same unimpressed expression.
I watch curiously as Gabe marches over to him.
“You know that Wyatt guy who always sits at the bar?” I tilt my head toward them.
Claire glances over, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. “Uh, yeah. I think that’s Gabe’s foster brother or something? They haven’t seen each other in a long time.”
Have you ever wanted someone you shouldn’t? he’d said.
My eyes narrow as it clicks. Is that who Gabe’s been involved with?
“I saw some of his tattoos the other day.” Claire’s eyes go wide. “Canadian Armed Forces.”
Holy shit.
“He’s in the military?” I ask, turning back just in time to see Gabe shove Wyatt through the back door.
“Toby-bear,” Claire whines, tugging my shoulder. “We should all go away together, like a big group trip. How fun would that be?”
I nod, half-listening, eyes flicking to the deck. Gabe looked shaken. If Wyatt’s the one who split his lip, he might need help—and if Wyatt really was military, he probably knows how to handle himself. That could be bad news for Gabe.
“We can drink mimosas on the beach. Oh! And go out dancing.” Claire continues.
“Mhm, um…Claire?” I gently grab her hands and move them off my shoulder. “Can you give me a second?”
“Oh…uh, yeah.” She smiles politely, picking up her drink and walking off to chat with some other friends.
I take a swig of my own before I make a move for the back door.
Maybe I should mind my own business…but maybe not. There’s been many times I wanted someone to help me and no one came so…if I can be of help to him, I’m going to be.
Gabe’s my friend and I want to make sure he’s okay.
***
It’s chilly out here as I step out onto the deck.
No one is outside, as everyone’s indoors enjoying the haunted decorations and music.
I peer around, not seeing them in this dark backyard.
The pool is lit up by the floor lamps, giving off the only dim light out here.
I make my way around the house, trying to spot anything out of the ordinary. They couldn’t have gotten too far.
My heart beats out of my chest as I continue my search.
