Dale wasn't getting any tonight, but trying to explain that to him wouldn't work. Fuck it. He would call an Uber.
"I can take you home."
Noah looked to his left and was surprised to see Julie there. He had forgotten all about her. She had been hanging out with him tonight.
"Uh, no, I don't want to bother you," Noah said, blinking as he glanced bewilderedly until he saw the grocery store in the distance. Suddenly, he remembered that he was only a few blocks away from Melanie's place. He could go over there and spend the night. More than likely, she would be home at two o'clock in the morning.
"It's fine. Besides, you can't drive right now. You're too drunk."
"Right," Noah agreed, and Julie giggled, probably from how slurred his speech was right now. This was the last time he was ever drinking any of Dallas's shit again. He had never gotten this drunk before in his life.
"You're right, Julie. No drinking…I mean driving." He stumbled off, walking past his truck as he headed for the crosswalk.
"Wait. Where are you going?" Julie called after him.
Noah waved her off. "To a friend's house."
"Noah!" she called again, but he ignored her as he headed across the street. He walked and walked until he found himself in front of Melanie's door. For a second, Noah hesitated, wondering if this was a mistake. It's not like he randomly dropped by Melanie's place all the time. He had only been here twice before, once to help her with her groceries, and the second time when he placed a bet with her on their car ride back, and she had no choice but to fix him dinner. Would she even open the door for him? Or what if someone else was here?
Fuck it. He knocked. When he didn't get a response, he knocked louder before leaning his head against the door. He was so tired. Melanie needed to be here because he wasn't sure if he could walk somewhere else with how sluggish he felt.
"Who is knocking on my door at this— Noah."
The door opened, and Melanie looked at him, surprised. Blearily, Noah took in Melanie's appearance, and she had definitely been asleep. Her face was bare without even the slightest smudge of make-up. There was a scarf wrapped around her hair, and she wore a silk robe that stopped just above her knees. Even without any make-up, she still looked beautiful.
"Mel," he said, smiling, but she didn't feel the need to reciprocate that smile, instead opting to frown.
"What are you doing here, Noah?" She peered at him and took a step forward, sniffing him before she quickly pulled back with a scrunched nose. "Are you drunk?"
"I plead the fifth," he said before bursting out into laughter.
"Why did you come here?" she asked, a pinched look on her face.
"Couldn't drive. Too drunk." He arched a brow. "You aren't going to let me in?"
"I should leave you out here," she said as she seemed to contemplate it. "I don't know why you came here of all places."
Noah didn't feel like explaining his thought process on getting here. He just wanted to sleep. "Come on, Mel. You can't leave me out here like this. What if I get in a car accident?"
"That's what they have Ubers for," she retorted, and Noah wondered if she wouldn't budge.
"It could be someone trying to murder me," he argued.
Melanie snorted.
"What? I'm serious."
"Ugh," she stamped her foot against the ground. "I'm too tired for this. Come in."
As soon as she made way for him, Noah stepped inside her apartment and sluggishly headed towards her bedroom until Melanie grabbed his arm, halting him in his steps.
"I don't know where you think you're going. But there is no way you're sleeping in my bed drunk."
"So, if I wasn't drunk, I could sleep there?" Noah asked cheekily as he turned around and pulled Melanie into his arms, hugging her. He smelt her hair and sighed deeply. He missed her.
"Let me go," she said, slapping his arm. Reluctantly, he loosened his grip but still held on. He smiled at her.
"I missed you," he told her honestly. "Did you miss me?"
