“Hey, let’s go,” I said, poking her in the arm.
She barely stirred.
“Josie, it’s time to go.”
She mumbled something under her breath, but didn’t move an inch.
“Fucking hell,” I muttered, hauling her into my arms bridal style. I had no fucking clue where the guy lived, and I wasn’t sure I would get it out of him based on the way he was drooling all over the bar.
I took her out to my truck, sliding her into the passenger side before buckling her in and going back for the date. There was no way in hell I was carrying his ass out to the truck.
“Hey,” I slapped him upside the head.
“Ow, why’d you do that?” he mumbled, rubbing the back of his head.
“Time to go.”
“Good. Told Josie didn’t want to go.”
“Well, next time, be more convincing.”
He stumbled off the barstool and followed me out the door. I had to keep stopping as he braced a few times against the brick exterior, breathing deeply like he was gonna puke.
“If you get sick in my truck, I’m sending you the bill.”
“Nope, I’m good. Just dizzy as hell.”
“Where am I dropping you?”
“Same as her.”
I laughed at that. “Yeah, I don’t think so, man.”
“No, really. I live with her.”
Ah, so he must be the brother. “So, you’re not dating?”
“Josie?” His face scrunched up in disgust. “That’s my sister.”
Thank God for that. “You should have chosen a different song to sing.”
“My choice.” He sighed heavily, stumbling around to the other side of the truck. He barely got the door open before realizing Josie was in the front. “I miss her,” he muttered as he climbed into the back seat.
I really didn’t want to know, but he told me anyway.
“Pearl was amazing.”
“I’m sure she was.”
“Really, man,” he said, sticking his head between the seats. “You should have met her. She was so beautiful.”
“You sound like a sad country song. Buckle up.”
He fumbled with his belt for a good two minutes before finally getting it clicked in. Christ, I did not need this at two in the morning, and I still had to get them inside.
“She left me, man. Just like that.” He attempted to snap, but failed miserably. “She was the love of my life.”
“That’s not a real thing,” I muttered.
