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“I’ve got you,” I say, pulling her up straight but not letting her out of my arms. “I’m taking you home.”
Judging by the slightly drunken eyes looking up at me, she wants to fight me on this, but she’s too busy trying to stop her world from spinning.
“What the hell, Brandon, I was just helping Nat out, because you sure as hell were nowhere to be found. Last time I looked you had a blonde on either arm. Real classy!” Lonigan is now standing in front of me, rising up to his full height and making sure I remember he’s bigger than me. This guy is my buddy and part of my team, so I try to rein in my anger and jealousy, but I’m not doing a very good job of it.
“Like you know anything about class, Lonigan, back off. My friend, my responsibility. Thanks anyway, buddy.” Sarcasm is oozing out of me, and I can tell he is reading me loud and clear.
“How about we ask Nat who she would rather take her home? Me, the guy who has been looking after her all night, or the friend who has been invisible most of the night, disappearing with two other girls. What, you finished with them now, so it’s time for Nat to get a turn?”
I’m going to kill him. I want to fucking kill him.
“Watch your mouth, Lonigan, before I rearrange it. Show respect to Nat—and the other two, for that matter, asshole.”
Nat is stiff in my arms now.
“Chase, it’s okay. Thank you,” Nat’s trying to say in her frail voice, as Xavier starts talking over the top of her.
“Both of you cool your shit, and if you say one more thing about Nat, either of you, then I’ll flatten you both. Friend or no friend!” Xavier is between us now, making me move Nat a few steps sideways to get some distance.
“Stop.” Her voice is wobbly and her hand on her stomach tells me we need to move.
Leaning down, I whisper in her ear, “Are you about to throw up?” Only she can hear me.
“Yes,” is all she murmurs in reply.
“Come on. Let’s get you to the truck.” I give Lonigan thedon’t even think about moving or speakinglook and a chin lift to Xavier, who gives me the same. “You okay to get home?” I ask him as I’m slowly turning Nat in the direction of the truck.
“I can take you home.” I hear Candy’s sweet voice, the girl that Xavier has been hitting on, as she replies to my question but also offers him a choice.
“Thanks. I’ll be okay, Jordan. I’ll see you later, buddy.”
I’m grateful that the voices are getting lower and the attention from others is starting to wane.
We just keep walking now, slow steps so not to rock the boat for Nat.
My mind, though, is already wondering what next practice will bring, when Lonigan and I face each other. Coach will be furious if I bring drama into the locker room. So far this year we have avoided it. Damn, I don’t want to be that one who starts the chaos. When I’ve calmed down, I better talk to him before we make it to training.
I look down at Nat whose focus is straight ahead and zoned out to me, purely concentrating on where she’s walking.
“Almost there. Take some deep breaths, it’ll help.” I just need to get her out of here so she doesn’t embarrass herself in front of everyone. The fresh air might help as we get farther away from the party crowd. There’s always the smell of weed in the air being smoked by the non-players and a mixture of all sorts of alcohol and smoke from the fire. None of which helps when you’re drunk.
Damn, Lonigan tells me he was looking after her, yet here we are.
The Nat I knew would never drink like this, but if I’ve learned one thing tonight it’s that I’m not sure I really know her anymore.
Loading her into my truck and driving down the road, I can tell she is teetering on the edge. Her head is back on the headrest, eyes closed, and she’s breathing hard through her nose. Arms wrapped around her stomach.
“How much did you drink?” They’re the first words I’ve spoken since we got in the truck.
“Too much.”
“Obviously.” I want to be mad at her, but I know I’m partly to blame. She started drinking because I acted like an ass.
“Thought I had it under control.” She’s mumbling and pushing the window down at the same time.
“You need me to stop?” We’re close to the dorm, but looking at her, she might not make it.
“Nope, air is good.” Like it’s the answer to her queasy stomach and spinning brain.
