Alex
None of this is fair. That's the whole point.
I stared at the screen. The words blurring. Not from tears—from the vodka and the cold and the exhaustion that had been building for weeks and was finally finding its way to the surface.
Alex
I trusted you.
Liam
You can still trust me. where are you?
Alex
I told you. Collins.
Liam
Are you drunk?
Alex
Does it matter?
Liam
Yes it matters. how much have you had?
Alex
Idk Four? Five? Lost count when Braden called you my boyfriend
Boyfriend.Braden's word, not mine. But seeing it in my own text, in my own handwriting—it sat there on the screen like an accusation. Like a confession. Like the truest thing I'd said all night and I'd said it in anger.
Liam
I'm coming to get you
Alex
Don't.
Liam
You're drunk and you're spiraling. I'm coming.
Alex
I said don't. You've done enough.
A pause. Longer this time.
Liam
fine. be mad. but tell me you're safe
I put the phone down on the armrest of the chair. Picked up my cup. Empty.
