“Sounds like a plan. I’m pretty beat. Let’s get out of here,” Derek agreed, grabbing Zoe’s purse and clearing a path towards the door.
I could feel everyone in the room watching my every move. I didn’t care. Really, who gave a fuck? It wasn’t the first time someone had gone out, had one too many and made a fool of themselves, and it sure as shit wouldn’t be the last. Hell, a couple of weeks ago it had been my turn. Next week, who knew which poor sucker would be crawling out on their hands and knees? Tonight was Zoe’s turn. I knew she had an excuse. I knew if everyone else knew what she’d been through in the past twenty-four hours, they wouldn’t be judging either, but I wasn’t about to tell them. She was better off them thinking she was a messy drunk than feeling sorry for her. She didn’t need their pity.
Thankfully she was light as a feather and felt so warm in my arms I barely remembered she was there. As I made my way across the crowded dance floor, it felt like all the fight went out her. She stopped wiggling and the excruciating, ear-piercing screaming had faded to soft sobs into my shoulder. Her tears had seeped through my shirt and I could feel their warmth on my skin but I couldn’t make fun of her misery. Maybe later I would. Maybe later we would look back at this moment and laugh. Together. Right now, I wasn’t going to make her feel any worse than she already did.
By the time we reached my car, Kane already held the passenger door open for me. I slipped her inside, pausing to fasten her seatbelt.
“You okay?”
“I’m sorry,” she snorted.
She looked completely miserable and my heart shattered. If I hadn’t been completely destroyed earlier today when I’d found her, broken and bleeding, then the sight of her with her makeup smudged, her face puffy, and feeling sorry for herself was enough to do anyone in. I wasn’t immune.
“You’re fine, Pippi. Let’s go home,” I promised her, kissing her head.
“M’kay,” she mumbled, barely coherent as she slumped in the seat.
Carefully I pushed the door shut and watched as her heavy eyes drooped shut. I couldn’t be sure but I would have bet money on it that she was snoring before the door clicked shut.
“You right to get her home?” Kane asked, genuinely worried.
It was strange to see him so deeply concerned for another person. It was rare. I think even when we were just kids I’d only seen him cry once and that was over the death of his pet rabbit. Maybe he was growing up? Although that seemed a little farfetched.
“Yeah, I’ll be fine.”
“Okay then. I’m gonna crash at Derek’s. When she wakes up she doesn’t need a house full of people. You can take my room,” he offered, and the sincerity in his face surprised me.
“Okay. I’m not sleeping in your bed, dude. God knows what I’d catch!” I laughed honestly.
“Good call,” Derek laughed, slapping Kane loudly on the shoulder.
“Right, boys, I’m out.”
“Call if you need anything,” Kane offered as they walked away.
Quickly I slipped behind the wheel and pulled out of the parking lot, headed straight for home. I wanted a shower. All I could smell was the stench of rum. I know it was generally my drink of choice, but it was definitely not my favourite cologne. With both Zoe and myself wearing a healthy dose, the cabin of my truck stunk. Not ten minutes later I pulled into the driveway with Zoe snoring loudly beside me. She hadn’t moved a muscle since I’d buckled her in.
Without waking her I carried her inside and laid her on the end of my bed. “Zoe! Zoe!” I called softly, trying to wake her as she flopped over. She never woke. I pulled off her shoes. I needed to get her jeans and my shirt off her but after everything that she’d been through, I couldn’t bring myself to undress her. Not while she was unconscious.
“Come on, Pippi! It’s time for you to wake up,” I tried again.
She mumbled and murmured and rolled over. Her hair covered her face. I smoothed it away. She looked so peaceful.
“Sleeping beauty. Wake up.” I nudged her a little harder.
She sat up, a little wobbly. “Ugh!”
“Morning, sunshine.” I chuckled as I took in her dishevelled state. “Come on, stand up and let me help you out of these rum-soaked clothes. Then you can sleep.”
“’Kay,” she muttered, running her hands over her face.
Despite everything she was still beautiful. She was still my Zoe. Now was most definitely not the time to be having these thoughts. I let her go and she shook on her unstable legs. Forcing myself to step away from her, I grabbed one of my worn t-shirts and handed it to her.
“Why don’t you go into the bathroom, wash your face, and get changed. I’ll grab my stuff and get out of here.”
Zoe didn’t answer but instead accepted the shirt and shuffled off towards the bathroom. As soon as I heard the bathroom door click shut I quickly stripped off and pulled on some sleep pants and a shirt before turning down my bed. I stumbled into the kitchen and grabbed a glass of water and two aspirin before making my way back to my bedroom to wait for her to re-emerge. I didn’t have to wait long.
“Hey,” Zoe mumbled sleepily.
