Page 11 of Broken Silence
All right. I watched her over my shoulder as she stormed off, her fists clenched tight. What the hell was that about?
“Your eyes are all out of focus, pisshead,” Ben said, sitting down on the stool next to me.
I waved my hand in his direction. Or I thought it was anyway, my vision was rather blurry. “They’re fine, they’re still in my head.”
Shit, I hadn’t been this drunk in a long time.
The bartender slid the drinks my way. “Don’t let him puke,” he told Ben.
“Drinking your problems away.” Ben shook his head. “That ain’t going to work, man.”
“You were right, you know? I am pathetic.”
“I’m always right. You either need to get over her or go get her.”
“I can’t do the first one ’cause I love her,” I said, waving my finger at him to try and make him understand, pretty sure I was slurring. “I’m going to America.”
“Australia,” he corrected.
Laughing, I shook my head. The room spun, and a sharp pain spliced through my skull, making my stomach roll with the threat of vomit.
I was going to hurt tomorrow.
“She’s inAustralia.” I frowned. “That’s not funny, actually. You know why?” I waited for his reply.
He rolled his dark eyes and gestured with his hand for me to continue.
“Because I love her, and you know what you do when you love someone? You follow them to Australia. I’m right, right?”
“Yes, Cole, you’re right.”
“I knew it!” I said, slamming my fist down on the bar. “All right, let’s go.”
“Whoa.” Ben grabbed my arm and pulled me back. “You need to sober up first. I’m taking you home to bed.”
I swayed and gripped the bar.
“No more alcohol for you. We need to get the girls, then take you home,” he said.
“I tried to flirt with Chelsea. Didn’t work.”
“I know.” He sighed. “It’s going to be okay, mate.”
Kerry and Chelsea came out of the bathroom together. I never understood what they did in there that required backup. This time I suspected it was to talk about me. I’d pissed Chelsea off, and I didn’t want to lead her on.
“We’re leaving!” Ben shouted over the music.
Chelsea glared and growled through gritted teeth, “Fine. I was getting bored of this place, anyway.”
That was for my benefit. Shit, I’d have to apologise to her when I’d sobered up… if I remembered.
Ben bundled me into his car, this time the spot beside him was empty. I wasn’t sure I’d get across the car like before. My body felt like it’d been weighed down and I was sinking.
I sat as still as a statue to limit any movement since it made me want to hurl. I could already tell that I’d feel like shit tomorrow. The alcohol hadn’t even done what it was supposed to do.
In fact, I was worse than before we went out.
Screw you, Oakley.
