But when I moved to finally exit the bar, a loud crash erupted at the counter.
"Ouch." Brian winced, looking over my shoulder.
Sure enough, Simon had managed to fall off his stool. Unfortunately, the drink he was nursing had smashed into pieces on the floor.
"Baby!" Lissa cried out as she bent to grab at his arm.
Simon shook her off as he attempted to stand on shaky legs.
"You're cut off," Theo gruffly told him. "You need to leave."
"Alright," Simon slurred as he stood, allowing Lissa to help him.
Having seen enough, I immediately left the bar and stepped out into the cold night air. I wrapped my arms around myself and followed Brian to the car park.
There was no way Maria would welcome Simon back to hers tonight. So Lissa most likely would take Simon back to hers. He'll sleep it off and return to Maria's to collect his things in the morning.
Probably.
I worried my bottom lip as I followed behind Brian towards our cars. My steps slowed as I battled with my inner voice.
"No, just leave me alone, Lissa!" Simon's deep voice yelled out, causing us both to stop and peer over our shoulders.
Lissa was tugging on his hand, attempting to pull him in one direction while he was digging his heels in and shaking his head.
Jesus, if he was drunk and turning down Lissa, then he mustreallynot want to go back with her.
I was pissed off that Lissa wouldn't take no for an answer. The bitch had no shame. Instead of trying to fix things with someone she had been friends with since infancy, she was attempting to again sleep with her best friend's...whatever Simon was to Maria.
Simon finally shook his hand from Lissa's grasp and ran his fingers through his hair as he looked around.
He looked lost.
Forlorn.
A picture of Barron and Eden flashed through my mind, and I knew my loyalty to my two friends would be my downfall. I could not, in good conscience, leave Barron's drunk cousin alone in a town he didn't live in.
Godammit!
I turned to Brian in apology. "Brian, I'm so sorry. Barron and Eden are my besties, and I can't leave Barron's cousin out here like this. Can we reschedule for another night?"
He gave me an understanding smile. "Of course. I would do the same in your position. Let me help you wrangle him to your car."
"Thank you." I beamed in relief. God, if only I could fall for someone like him.
We strolled towards the couple, and just as Lissa attempted to grab hold of Simon again, I quickly intervened.
"Okay, Goldilocks, he's said no to you more than once. Any more times, and you'd be looking at harassment charges." I had no idea if that was true, but it sounded right.
Lissa whirled around and glared down at me. "This doesn't concern you," she snapped.
Simon completely negated her comment by smiling widely and opening his arms. "Sofia!" He cried before stumbling toward me.
I was too busy trying to ensure he wouldn't fall over before I realized he was attempting to hug me.
"Ooof!" I grunted as my nose hit his hard chest. He squeezed me tightly while I struggled to break free. "You smell like a brewery," I complained.
"And you smell like flowers and everything nice," he slurred.
