Page 185 of Fame & Chaos

“Can I stay here tonight?” I ask instead.

“Obviously. You don’t even need to ask.”

“Then it’s settled,” I say. “If I drink, I stay here. No driving anywhere to do dumb shit.”

Aston studies me carefully before nodding slowly. “Okay. But I’m confiscating your cell phone before bed so you can’t drunkenly invite chaos over here.”

Honestly? Smart.

“You know you’re weirdly intelligent sometimes?” I say, handing him my cell immediately.

He pockets it with a laugh. “You’re gonna be okay, you know that?”

The question hits harder than expected, and I swallow thickly. “I honestly don’t know anymore.”

Silence settles over us for a moment.

“It’s killing me not knowing where she is,” I admit quietly. “Or if she’s okay. Thinking about her hurting like this and not being able to fix it…” I scrub a hand over my face. “It’s fucking torture.”

Aston’s expression softens. “I’d lose my mind if Annie disappeared on me too. So trust me, I get it.”

He nudges my shoulder lightly. “And I’m here whenever you need me, all right?”

“Thanks, mate.” I manage a weak smile. “You’re basically the little brother I never had.”

Aston gasps dramatically. “Was that your weird way of saying you love me?”

“What? No. Absolutely not.”

“Yes, you do.” He bats his eyelashes at me obnoxiously. “You love me, Caleb.”

“Shut up. What are you trying to do, marry me through my cousin?”

“Oh no,” he says dramatically, clutching his chest. “You discovered my secret. I’m hopelessly in love with you.” He puckers his lips and leans toward me.

“Fuck off!” I laugh, shoving his chest before he can get close, and he falls backward onto the couch, cackling.

“Made you laugh though.”

“Yeah,” I admit, still grinning despite myself. “But if you ever try kissing me again, I’m punching you.”

“Noted.”

Right then, Chad lifts one leg and unleashes another horrifying fart into the room.

Aston and I both groan while laughing all over again.

After absolutely demolishing enough Chinese food to feed a small country, Johnny and I moved on to bourbon while Chad remained glued to the Xbox like his life depended on it. Eventually, Johnny disappeared off to bed, leaving Aston and me at the poker table attempting to play Blackjack while Chad continued yelling at strangers through his headset.

At this point, I’m well beyond tipsy.

Honestly, I can barely count to twenty-one anymore, so the game’s become less about skill and more about trusting Aston not to scam me completely.

“Hit me,” I slur confidently.

Aston looks at me like I’ve lost my mind. “Really?”

I nod dramatically. “Absolutely.”