“Leo, what the hell? Are you drunk?”
“Maybe a leeetle bit.” He laughed, and in the background, I heard the sound of music and other people talking.
“I thought you were with your mom. I’ve been worried about her. And you.”
“Ah, no, babe. She’s gonna be okay. But I miss you. Come on over here, ‘kay? Guess what, Matt’s grandparents are away and there’re like, five empty bedrooms. We can use one of them.”
Since we’d been dating, I’d seen Leo tipsy at parties. But this went far beyond that. He was drunk and slurring, and it scared me. This Leo wasn’t the same guy I’d been dating for five months. He sounded like the person who’d ignored me for two years and forgotten about our friendship.
“I’m coming over there, Leo, but I’m not going into any bedrooms with you. You stay there, you hear me? Don’t go anywhere.”
“Waiting for you, babe. Always waiting for you.”
Rolling my eyes and clenching my jaw, I picked up my handbag and jogged down the stairs. My mom met me in the foyer.
“What’s going on?”
I heaved a deep sigh. “I don’t know, really. Leo’s at Matt’s house, and he sounds ...” I hesitated. I hadn’t been completely honest about everything related to my relationship with Leo—I hadn’t shared that we were having regular sex, for instance—but I tried not to lie to them about anything I could avoid. “He sounds drunk. I’m thinking something’s going on with Lisa.”
“And you’re going where?” My mother cocked her head.
“If it’s okay, I’m going over to Matt’s to take him home. I’ll try to find out what’s going on.”
My dad was standing in the doorway to the kitchen. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know what else to do, Dad. He needs me. I’d do the same for Nate.”
“Nate would never make you do that.” My father’s voice was even, but his words still annoyed me.
“Leo’s mother is in a life-threatening situation. I’m not saying he’s reacting the right way, but I’m not going to judge him right now. I’m going to help him.”
“Be careful. And if you need us for anything, call.” My mother kissed my cheek.
I nodded and hurried out to the car, my anxiety levels rising the longer I drove.
The Lamperts’ huge house was surrounded by cars, and I smothered a groan as I found a spot to park as close to the front door as possible. I could hear the thump of music even before I climbed up on the porch.
The door flew open, and Tim Stewart came stumbling out, his arm around Trish Dawson.
“Look! It’s Quinn the queer. Come to find your little doggy, queer queen? I think I just saw him go upstairs with Sarah. You better find him fast.” She lowered her voice, like she was telling me a secret. “He used to be Leo the Lion, but since he’s been with you, he’s just Leo the lapdog.” She giggled at her own joke.
I didn’t believe anything that came out of Trish’s mouth, but she damned sure knew where to hit. Ignoring both of them, I went inside and began searching for Leo.
The living room was only dimly lit, and on the recliner in the corner, two people were hooking up. Not just making out; the girl, who I recognized as a senior, was riding the football player beneath her. Her shirt was off, and he was pawing at her breasts.
I turned away as fast as I could and made my way to the kitchen, where to my tremendous relief, Leo was sitting in a chair at the table. His face lit up when he saw me.
“Babe! You got here.” He pushed the chair back a little and patted his leg. “C’mere and sit on my lap. I missed you.” Only his words were slurring, and it came out, “I mitthed you.”
I took his hand but didn’t sit down. “Okay, Leo. Party’s over, dude. Time to go home.”
“Nooooo ...” he wailed. “I don’t wanna go.”
I closed my eyes and counted to ten. “Leo, baby. Come on. I’m going to take you home and put you to bed.” I skimmed my fingers through his hair. “Don’t you want to go to bed?”
He raised bloodshot eyes to me. “With you?”
“Of course.” I was willing to say anything to get him moving. “My car’s right out front. Let’s go.”
