Page 57 of Don't Think

“You have alotttof catching up to do,” she mumbles.

I have to hold back my laugh as it bubbles up in my throat, watching her sway like a buoy. The way her lips pucker with certain words she tries to get out—it’s almost addictive, watching her mouth move like she’s talking in slow motion.

A young bartender approaches, wipes down the counter, and then leans in. “What can I get you?” he shouts over the music with a thick Boston accent.

I point to Allie. “I’ll have whatever she’s been having,” I say with a chuckle.

The bartender smirks and quickly disappears beneath the bar. When he pops back up, he gently sets it on the counter, slowly pours the amber liquid to the brim, and nods when he slides it along the bar. “There ya go, bud.”

I press my lips together, nodding in thanks before raising the glass to my lips, and quickly throw it back in one go.

“Garrethhh, come dance with me,” Nora whines behind us.

I look over my shoulder and see she’s draped over his arm like a toddler, trying her hardest to pout, but she’s too drunk to pull it off.

Allie’s head snaps toward the commotion, rising from the stool so fast it nearly tips over. She staggers over to them, zigzagging across the floor until she reaches Nora and leans in to whisper something in her ear.

Nora throws her head back in laughter while Allie clings to her like her life depends on it. My eyes stay locked on her, tracking every movement. I’m honestly scared she’s going to fall and hurt herself. She can barely manage the three feet from the bar to Nora without nearly face-planting. So her and the dance floor right now? Yeah, not happening.

I quickly slide off the barstool and head straight for Ana.

“Hey, how many shots has she had?” I ask, keeping my eyes glued to Allie as she wobbles beside Nora.

She scrunches up her face, thinking for a moment before chuckling. “I think… like five or six?”

My eyes go wide before they snap to her. “In a row?”

She shakes her head. “No, no. I might’ve been feeding them to her, but I made her pace herself. Don’t worry.”

Relief washes over me, but not by a lot. The worry still lingers while I mentally weigh the pros and cons between taking her home or letting her be.

She’s here to have a good time, not be babysat.

I turn back to Allie just in time to see her stumble—then crash to the floor.

My feet move on instinct, rushing toward her. By the time I reach her, her face is buried in the palm of her hand, and my knees give out, dropping beside her. One hand slides to her back while the other gently brushes her hair out of her face.

“Are you alright?” I ask frantically. “Are you hurt?”

She lifts her head—andlaughs.

Full-on cackles as she looks at me and clutches her ankle in her hand. I try to bite back my growing smirk, scanning her face and shaking my head.

I start rubbing small circles on her back and lean in closer. “You ready to head home?”

Her smile quickly fades, shoulders slumping.

She nods. “Yeah, prob-ally,” she says, her voice so small I almost don’t hear her.

I slip a hand under her, helping her up slowly. The second she puts any weight on her ankle, she winces.

My eyes scan over her face carefully.

“Do you need me to carry you?”

Her face reddens slightly, and she shakes her head. She pulls herself up, leaning most of her weight on me. I know deep down I should just say screw it and carry her out of here anyway, but I let her have her moment of independence. The second she winces again though? Game over.

On our way out the door, I search the room for any signs of Ana to tell at leastsomeonewhat’s going on. But of course, I spot James chatting up a blonde in a thin, strapless dress first.