Page 149 of Until the Last Star Fades

“Home…”

“Where were you?”

“Out!” His face disappeared from the screen, replaced with a swinging glimpse of clothes on the floor, the crotch of his jeans, and a small lamp. When the phone stopped its travels, it looked like Ben was flopped down on an unmade bed.

“At a Halloween party?” She sniffed her stuffy nose.

“Yeppers.” He waved his cast at his face. “I’m Hazza Potter!”

“Y-Yeah, I see that.” Riley’s forehead creased. “Ben, how much beer did you have?”

“Not much…maybe two halfs.”

“One pint?”

“Yup.”

“Ben, it’s been only eight weeks. You’re not supposed to have any alcohol.”

“I’ve been a bad boy, Riles.” He laughed and fumbled his phone. “Whoops! Spank me, dirty girl!”

“Ben! It’s not funny!” The congestion in her sinuses started to throb. “The doctor told you no booze for three months. Your liver can’t process it. That’s why you’re pissed on one pint.”

“I only had a lickle bit.” He exhaled heavily like he was annoyed. “Stop yellin’ at me.”

“I’m not—”

“Can’t do this, can’t do that…Spencer says I should have fun, says I deserve it.” He gave a woozy frown.

Spencer—yeah, she’s an expert on liver donation. Great.

“She dressed me like dis and we went to…Hallween party. I wasn’t having anyting, but…go onnn, have a half.” He closed his eyes, his words slow to materialize. “Then, someone gave…more…”

Riley scowled. “Was Mark with you? Or that Freddie guy? BEN?!”

He startled, fighting the urge to sleep. “Blimey O’Ri…” His face scrunched like he was in pain. “Do you think of me…?”

What…? Just play along. “Do you think of me?”

“Ohhhhh, Riles! All the fuckin’ time. I think of you at the library, I think of you while eating toast, I think of you when I have a wank.” He groaned and closed his eyes. “Ohh…”

“Ben?”

“Riles!” Breathless, he sprung up to a sitting position, the Potter spectacles hanging off one ear. “Let’s phone fuck!” he growled.

“Uh…sure.” She blotted her runny nose with a tissue.

“Hey! Guess what?! I was celebratin’!”

“O-kay? Why?”

“Just back from Aberdeen—that’s Scotland.”

“Yeah, I know it’s Scotland, but the photos you sent me yesterday were in London—”

“Fooled ya! SURPRISE! Keegs, bless ’im, got me walk-on part in Lairds.”

“Really?” A warm, happy feeling filled her chest. “Oh, Ben! That’s incredible!”