Page 187 of Fame & Chaos

Aston bursts out laughing. “Emotional bird crap?”

“Yes!” I point at him aggressively. “Relationships are exactly like bird shit.”

Chad nearly falls off the gaming chair laughing.

“No, seriously,” I insist, words slurring together. “It stains. No matter how hard you scrub, that shit never fully comes out.”

“Okay,” Chad says, still laughing. “I think the bourbon’s officially won.” He walks over and gently removes the glass from my hand before I spill it all over myself.

A deep growl suddenly bubbles up from my stomach before exploding out as one massive belch. “That’s better.”

The boys laugh harder.

“Better out than in,” Chad says wisely.

I nod solemnly. “Exactly.”

Suddenly exhausted, I push myself upright. “Right. Better go home.”

Both Aston and Chad immediately shake their heads.

“No chance,” Aston says. “You’re staying here, remember?”

“Oh yeah.” I rub the back of my neck while standing up. The room spins violently, forcing me to grab the chair before I faceplant again. “Right… guest room.”

“Upstairs,” Aston replies, clearly trying not to laugh.

I straighten proudly. “I can handle stairs.”

One step later, my legs completely betray me, and I crash face-first onto the floor. The guys lose it laughing while I roll onto my back and stare at the ceiling in betrayal.

“Can you at least make it to the couch?” Chad asks between cackles.

I glance toward the couch barely a few feet away, and nod confidently. Then crawl toward it on my hands and knees, because standing suddenly feels like a terrible life choice.

“Urgh. When did I drink this much?”

“You’ve been drinking for six hours,” Chad reminds me. “You’re obliterated.”

“Aston,” Chad says while I collapse dramatically onto the couch. “Want me to grab a pillow and blanket?”

“Please.”

Everything feels fuzzy and warm as Aston helps me settle onto the couch. My throat already feels thick with exhaustion, but somehow my brain still won’t shut off completely.

I hear the guys laughing quietly while someone lifts my head enough to slide a pillow underneath it. A blanket settles over me seconds later.

“Goodnight, Caleb,” Aston says.

Darkness starts pulling me under almost instantly, then suddenly panic jolts through me, and my eyes snap back open.

“Aston,” I mumble loudly.

“Yeah?” he calls from somewhere nearby.

“Don’t waste time with Annie.” Silence. “Tell her you love her every chance you g-get.” My voice cracks slightly. “Every… damn… time.” My eyes start drifting shut again. “Because when you lose them…” I murmur weakly. “It’s already too late.”

The darkness finally drags me under before anyone answers.