Page 5 of Let’s Be Real

My knee-jerk reaction was to apologize and try to bargain, but I bit it back because what quickly followed was relief this was about to be over.

Since my first boyfriend in eighth grade, I’d gone through more breakups than I could remember. Sometimes, I’d been heartbroken; other times, they'd barely been a blip.

I let myself consider his ultimatum for a moment, but I didn’t have to contemplate long. When it came down to keeping Will or taking care of my friend, it wasn’t a contest.

Beyond the kissing and sex, I wasn’t sure how much I even liked Will. If I stayed with him, I’d probably end up launched out the windshield, and that didn’t sound like fun at all.

Pulling in a deep breath, I nodded. “Then that’s it.”

His eyes flared, and red painted his cheeks. “Christ, I hope the two of you are happy together.” He shook his head hard. “Maybe stop pulling other people into your dysfunctional little twosome and marry the asshole already.”

My spine stiffened. “I’ve always been honest about our friendship. If I’d wanted to marry Adrian, I would have made it happen.”

Of course, I’d have to get over gagging at the idea of kissing Adrian, and he’d need to be able to stop hysterically laughing to say, “I do.” Neither of which would ever happen. Contrary to what Will and several other ex-boyfriends thought, it really and truly wasn’t like that with us and never would be.

Gross.

“Sure. Whatever you need to tell yourself.” He threw his hands up. “I’m out of this. I already don’t give a shit.”

I didn’t watch Will drive away, but I heard his tires burn rubber as I waited for the elevator to arrive. No surprise he couldn’t leave fast enough. I wouldn’t have been surprised if he had a backup plan to join him at the restaurant.

The elevator ride to Adrian’s floor was interminable. As soon as the doors opened, I ran down his hallway as fast as my heels would allow.

This time, I didn’t bother knocking and let myself in with my key. “Adrian, I’m back.”

From the depths of his condo came a low moan that made my breath hitch.

“Adrian?” I called as I rushed toward the sound.

He wasn’t in his bed, but there was a light coming from his en suite bathroom and another pained moan.

“Sammie.”

Shit.

Adrian was sprawled on the bathroom tile, a puddle of vomit beneath him and even more in the toilet. At first, I just stared. Seeing him in this state was so foreign it was like looking at a scene from a film.

“Sam,” he groaned. “It hurts.”

That spurred me into action. Kicking off my heels, I grabbed a towel hooked on the back of the door and used it to wipe his face.

“You’re a mess.” Tears pricked the backs of my eyes. “I think we need to go to the ER, buddy.”

He let me sit him up so he was slumped against the wall. I cleaned him as best I could, knowing he wouldn’t want anyone seeing him with vomit all over his face and shirt.

I crouched in front of him and cupped his jaw, waiting for his hazy eyes to focus on mine.

“Sam,” he breathed. “I’m all fucked up.”

“Yeah. I’m worried about you. I’m going to take you to the hospital. Do you think you can walk with my help, or should I call an ambulance?”

He grimaced. “No. No ambulance.” Then his head fell forward, chin on his chest. “Nate. Get Nate.”

“Nate?”

Why hadn’t I thought of Nate? He lived two floors up. Of course I should have called Nate.

“Nate,” Adrian affirmed.