Breathe In by Martha Sweeney

Author:Martha Sweeney
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780986227233
Publisher: WWN Publishing Group

CHAPTER 21

“I can take her from here,” Joe offers.

“It’s not her that I’m worried about,” Jared snickers.

“Hey,” I whine.

“I’ll be fine,” Joe insists.

“You don’t know what she’s like when she’s drunk. She gets freakishly stronger.”

“Stop talking about me like I’m not here,” I protest. “I’m not drunk, just a little buzzed.”

The two of them stare and laugh.

“Out! Out of my room!” I command.

Jared turns and heads to my bathroom and comes back with a glass and something in his hand.

“Ooh, you’re a good friend. You brought me more to drink,” I confess. Taking a sip, I immediately spit it out. “What the hell is this?”

“Water."

“I take it back. You are not a good friend.”

“Take these too,” he offers, holding out his hand.

“I don’t want them.”

“Either you take them willingly, or—“

“Fine,” I huff.

I’m not in the mood to fight, and as much as I’ll deny how drunk I am, I know that Jared would have the leg up if we did wrestle, especially with Joe to help him. I do get stronger with liquor, but not with this much in my system. Plus, I don’t want to mess up my pretty dress. I like my dress and each time I remember that Joe gave it to me, I can’t help but smile.

“She’ll be fine now. If she drinks more, just feed her two more of these and extra water.” He places the bottle down on the nightstand. “Watch out for her. She’s sneaky.”

“Got it,” Joe replies.

“I love you.” Jared hugs and kisses me on the cheek.

“Still not my favorite person right now.”

“I still love you anyway,” Jared says.

“Love you too,” I mumble.

Joe walks Jared out while I try to unhook my shoes. The process seems to take longer than usual. I stumble to the bathroom and inspect myself in the mirror. Yep, I’m definitely drunker than I thought. My pleased grin begins to change to a subdued sadness as the reality of tonight begins to sink into my heart. One of my two best friends is getting married. I’m happy for her, but my gut drops knowing that I’ve lost her. A tear runs down my cheek as I look away.

“You okay,” Joe asks, walking towards me.

“Huh? Yeah. Good."

“What’s wrong?” He moves toward me.

“Nothing,” I lie. “Umm, can you help me with the zipper?” I turn and move my hair out of the way.

“Sure.” He gently lowers it with ease.

I don’t move for a moment nor does Joe. He softly cups my chin and dries my cheeks from the tear stains. With the power of alcohol coursing through me, I kiss him. He returns the embrace before he unexpectedly pulls away. My eyes blink slowly as I try to comprehend what just happened.

“We should get you to bed.”

“Okay.”

I suddenly feel frisky at the thought that he might want to fool around.

Incoherently, I take off my dress and hang it in the closet. Retrieving light grey boy-shorts underwear and a matching tank top, I ungracefully change. Not caring about my hair and make-up, I turn to get under the covers.

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