Saving Us

by Ashley Johnson

  The voice of reason is speaking to me, but I don’t want to listen. My feet however, are responding as I plant one foot down on the ground. The urge to pee overwhelms me and I clench my muscles together trying to control myself until I can reach the restroom. Both feet are on the ground and with the first step I take, my body leans to the side and I begin to sway. My eyes close but it only makes it worse. I open them and find Blaine staring at me.

  “What the hell are you doing?”

  “What’s it to you?” I slur.

  “You’re about to fall, give me your hand.” I glare at him and continue to struggle to stand still. He really needs to understand I’m about to pee my pants in the middle of this bar.

  “No, I need to go to the bathroom.”

  “You can’t walk, let me help you.”

  “No!” I yell, not caring who hears me. “I don’t need your help! Leave me alone.” I try to step away from him but end up tripping over my own two feet. His strong arm catches me, holding me steady before I can hit the ground. I want to scream at him to let me go. I want to tell him he’s not Caleb and can never be him, but I say nothing else.

  “Stop it Sybil, people are staring.” He whispers harshly. “Let me just walk you to the bathroom, you would have fallen if I hadn’t caught you.”

  “Maybe I don’t care Blaine, have you thought about that?”

  “You’re stubborn, quit it.” He grabs me, throwing my body over his shoulder. My arms flail around trying to hit him but because of my drunkenness, I only succeed in hitting him once. He sets me down slowly right outside the bathroom door and looks at me. “I’m waiting until you get done. If you take too long, I’m coming in after you. You are in no shape to take care of yourself.”

  “Whatever,” I mutter as I push the door open and stumble inside.

  Slowly, I make my way to the first stall and have just enough time to sit on the toilet before my bladder empties itself. My body is relieved to finally be empty but I’m even angrier than before that Blaine is here. Maybe he saved me, so what? I don’t want him to. I fumble in my pocket for my phone, but I’m clumsy. It slips right through my hands crashing to the ground. Shit.

  I reach for it as I stand and bring it as close to my face as I can. The screen blends together in a blur and all I want to do is text Cory and Megan. I don’t want Blaine here to save me anymore.

  “Sybil, I’m about to come in there.”

  “Leave me alone!” I scream.

  I manage to open my messages and find Cory’s name.

  Me: Can youu comr get mee.

  Cory: Sybil, where are you?

  Me: barr

  The door swings open and Blaine comes rushing in like he’s on a damn white horse. I roll my eyes as he approaches me and grabs me by the arm. “I told you I was coming to get you. I’m bringing you home, tell me where you live.”

  “No,” I hiss. “Cory is coming to get me.”

  “You called Cory?”

  “Yes, now let go of me. He’ll make sure I get home, you can leave.”

  “I’m not leaving you. What, so you can bust your ass? What are you doing here anyway?”

  “That’s none of your damn business.”

  It seems like an eternity while we bicker back and forth. I’m relieved when I hear Megan behind me. “Sybil! Oh my god, I’m so glad you texted, are you ok?”

  “I think I’m going to be sick,” that’s all I can get out before I clasp my hand to my mouth.

  She turns back to Cory and points to the bathroom after she shoots him a look. I can’t read her expression but she doesn’t seem too happy. The minute I step inside, I run and dive beside the toilet with just enough time to empty my stomach over and over again.

  ***

  Blaine

  After the afternoon I had running into Dante, all I wanted to do was come have a drink. I never got to even order a beer when I spotted Sybil trying to walk. Trying is an understatement, she was failing miserably. Just when I thought things were seeming to get somewhere positive with her, she took about ten steps back. I was a bit offended that she called Cory to come save her. I’m more than capable of getting her home, I wouldn’t even try anything on her. I hope that’s not what she was thinking but with how drunk she is, I wouldn’t be surprised what she was thinking.

  I hear Cory and Megan before I see them. Megan is bitching to him about how he’s constantly running to save Sybil and although she loves her, it’s a little much. He tells her she’s overreacting and brushes it off like nothing.

  There’s silence and then Megan walks up to her and the first thing Sybil says is that she’s about to be sick. Megan walks her to the bathroom leaving me alone with Cory.

  Cory glares at me looking me up and down. I should feel uncomfortable but I don’t. I didn’t do anything wrong.

  “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” he asks.

  “If I hadn’t been here she would have hurt herself or worse, hurt someone else when she tried to drive herself home.”

  “She wouldn’t have done that!” he yells. People begin staring but he doesn’t stop. “Stay the fuck away from her and I mean it. If I see you around her again, I’ll make you wish you were never born.”

  “Are you threatening me, because I’m sure I saved her ass tonight.”

  He thrusts his finger in my face, his skin turns crimson, “It’s not a threat, and it’s a damn promise. She doesn’t need you, she has me!”

  This is seriously fucked up. He wants her and basically just admitted it. He wants his best friends girl despite he has a smoking blonde for a girlfriend. He just became my biggest obstacle. I try not to laugh in his face but a chuckle comes out. “What are you, her knight in shining armor? That must be kinda twisted, huh? Does your girlfriend share you with her?”

  His fist connects with my jaw and the metal taste of blood fills my mouth. “Fuck you Blaine. Stay the hell away from her, I mean it. You know nothing about her or what she needs.”

  I can’t help but grin, he has no idea what he’s even talking about. “I know more about her than you think.”

  Before he can react, I shove past him hitting his shoulder. I step outside and before I can walk off, he grabs my shoulder and shoves my back against the wall. I grunt trying to push him off but I have to give him credit, he’s strong as hell.

  “What the fuck do you mean?” He yells.

  “Fuck you, get off me.” I fight against him.

  “You’re a fucking joke, don’t let me see you near her. I had a bad feeling about you the first time I met you.”

  He drops his hands and the last thing he sees before hitting the ground is Dante standing beside me.

  Cory’s body falls limply to the ground. He’s going to hurt when he gets up in a minute. He’s slowly trying to get up and Dante is ready to strike again but I put my arm against his chest and shake my head no.

  “What the fuck?” I hiss at Dante.

  “Your pussy ass was in trouble, let me guess something to do with the girl? You should be thanking me right now.” He smirks.

  “Let’s get the fuck out of here before he really gets up.” Dante shrugs his shoulders and I’m praying he doesn’t tell Landon about this scuffle. “Look, thanks man. I’m actually glad you were here. I’ll call Landon in the morning.”

  “He already knows. Who do you think gave me the ok to knock his ass out?”

  I’m digging myself deeper and deeper into a hole because of Sybil. I knew not to do this shit but I did it anyway and for some reason, I still don’t regret one bit and I sure as hell am not scared of Cory.

  Chapter 13

  Sybil

  Megan stands behind me rubbing circles on my back as I continue to dry heave. Damn Jack Daniels. I’m beginning to really think this wasn’t the smartest idea. I think I would have been better off just crying under my covers. When I finally feel that I can move without dry heaving, Megan helps me stand. I walk over to the sink and splash my face with cool water and rinse the vomi
t taste out of my mouth the best I can.

  “I’m sorry Meg.” I whisper.

  “For what? You did the responsible thing by getting ahold of us. Why are you here anyway, if you don’t mind me asking?”

  I sigh as I look into her eyes. “I’m tired of pretending everything is ok. I’m tired of acting like I’m not affected by missing Caleb. I just wanted to try to get him out of my system. But I can’t.” I say softly. “I’ll never get over it will I?”

  She looks at me tenderly and pulls me in for a hug. “Syb, you should never feel like you have to get over it. Can I tell you something? Cory still cries over losing Caleb. It’s only been five months, but you two loved him so much and I know this isn’t easy at all. You could have called us though instead of doing this. We would have come over in a heartbeat. You’re allowed to grieve, it’s ok to be sad. You don’t have to live pretending life is peachy.”

  “I love you guys so much.”

  “We love you too. We’re family, forever. Now, let’s go out there and see Cory. Did you call Blaine to meet you here?”

  The color in my face drains as I tell her, “No, I didn’t know he’d be here. I didn’t want him to be. It’s not right Meg. I feel attracted to him but I can’t.”

  “One day at a time, Syb. I know you aren’t rushing anything, it’s ok. You aren’t doing anything wrong.”

  She links her arm in mine and we walk out of the restroom together. She looks around the bar, but neither of us see Cory or Blaine. I shrug it off pretending not to care that Blaine isn’t standing around waiting for me. I did tell him to leave me alone though, so maybe he took the hint. Megan asks the bartender for a bottle of water and closes my tab out. I don’t even want to see how much those shots cost me. The bottle of water is gone within seconds and my parched throat is thankful.

  Megan looks up and gasps, my eyes meet hers before spotting Cory with a bloodied lip. He looks pissed and I’m a little scared to ask what happened because part of me knows.

  “What the hell happened, Cor?” Megan asks with wide eyes.

  He doesn’t answer her, but turns to face me. His eyes are wide and his face is crimson. “I don’t want him near you, Sybil. There’s something fucked up about him and if he comes near you, I’ll fucking kill him.”

  “What are you talking about Cory? What happened?” I ask.

  “He’s a sorry ass excuse for a man. You think Caleb would want you around him? Start thinking clearly Sybil, you’re better than that!”

  “Don’t start this shit with me Cory. I didn’t ask him to be here tonight and I don’t know what the hell happened while I was puking my guts up in the bathroom, but don’t take this out on me. And don’t you dare throw Caleb in my face like that!”

  “None of this would have happened if you didn’t come out and decide to drown your liver in the middle of the week. This isn’t like you, I know you Sybil!” He says with his finger in my face.

  Megan looks shocked by what he’s telling me. He’s being more than protective, it’s almost like he’s obsessed with making sure I’m safe and I’m not sure she is ok with it. She somehow changes her expression before saying, “Cor, take it easy on her. Have you ever thought that she’s tired of living like she’s ok? She’s hurting as bad as you are. She misses Caleb and doesn’t know how to deal with it and she doesn’t want to burden us. Look, can we get out of this bar and go talk somewhere else?”

  “I loved him, Cory,” I speak up. “I love him still more than anything and I miss him. I’m so sorry I fucked up once and came out trying to make myself forget, but I can’t fucking forget. I’ll never fucking forget what I saw that day, just like you can’t. Maybe I shouldn’t have called you.”

  “Don’t say that shit, Sybil. You call me any time, I don’t care when it is. I’m not mad at you, I’m sorry I’m taking this out on you. I’m serious about Blaine though, I don’t want to see him near you and he knows to stay away.”

  I gasp as I look at his face again, “He did this to you?”

  He avoids the question but continues to glare at me. “I’m seriously mad at you for driving out here. Come on, you’re staying with me tonight. We’ll get the truck in the morning.”

  I numbly follow Cory as he walks off. Anger is still radiating off him and I know I should stay quiet but I can’t stop myself. “You can’t stop me from seeing anyone, Cory. I know you mean well but you can’t. I work with Blaine and for some reason I’m not sure of, I like him.”

  Cory stops in his tracks and turns to stare at me. “I’m telling you Sybil, I don’t like him and I don’t want you getting hurt. How can you move on so fast from what you and Caleb had?” His tone is hurt and he turns away from me. His hand brushes by his eye and I’m sure he just wiped a tear away.

  “You think I’m moving on just because I find someone attractive? You obviously don’t know me at all. You didn’t listen to Megan at all did you? I’m not ready to move on. I realized that today when Blaine asked me to eat dinner with him. I don’t want to move on, all I said was I like him, so quit persecuting me.”

  “Guys, please stop arguing. Let’s just get home. Sybil, you need to rest and Cory, you need to settle down.” Megan says breaking the tension.

  We continue to walk in silence until we reach the truck. Once I’m inside the dark backseat, I lie down and let the silent tears roll down my cheeks.

  ***

  Blaine

  Dante and I left the bar at the same time. I made sure he didn’t stick around for Cory to get back up. That was bound to end bloody and nastier than it already was. I’m pissed off that Cory tried to step in and act all chivalrous with Sybil. I understand he was Caleb’s best friend, but I don’t care. I don’t care that he forbid me to see he, he can’t do that. If he values his life and safety, then he will stay away from me and my business. I drive home a little faster than I should slamming the door shut when I walk into my apartment. Tonight didn’t go like it should have at all. All I wanted was to have a drink and relax but instead, I almost put everything in jeopardy. What the hell was I thinking telling Cory that I knew more about her than he thought? Tonight just made things way more complicated than they need to be and with Landon knowing, I’m not looking forward to his phone call.

  ***

  My jaw hurts a little this morning, I guess I didn’t realize just how hard Cory hit me. I’m moving slower than normal which is fine since I have a few hours to kill before I head to the bookstore. I’m wondering what it’s going to be like to see Sybil today. Will she avoid me? Or will she talk to me like nothing happened? I wonder if she even remembers what happened. My phone rings and I dread answering because I know who it is.

  “Hello?”

  “You almost blew it Blaine. I’m glad Dante is there to keep you on your toes.” He says coolly.

  “That wasn’t supposed to happen last night. She wasn’t even supposed to be there.”

  “I don’t care where she’s supposed to be, you had another chance to get the job done and you fucked it up again. Do I need to remind you, time is ticking?”

  “No, you don’t.”

  “Good.” End of call.

  The urge to throw the phone takes me over but instead I decide to take a shower before I head out. I close my eyes as the warm water hits my body. Thoughts of Sybil invade my mind and I feel bad thinking about her, but in a way I don’t. She’s fucking sexy as hell and I need her to talk to me again. I can’t let last night ruin things, especially after I figured out how Cory really feels about her. I reach down and grab my cock and slowly begin stroking it. As her face flashes in my memory, I begin to pump my hand faster letting the release build and when I come, my body shudders as I regain my breath. Fuck, what am I doing?

  I step out the shower, my hair is still wet but that’s the beauty of being male. It’ll dry in about five minutes. I sit around staring at the walls until I’ve had enough then head towards campus.

  Just like yesterday, Sybil is standing talking to Megan. She does
n’t look too bad considering how I saw her last night. I want to walk up to her and see if she’s speaking to me, but instead I find a bench and sit down.

  With my head in my hands, I sit there trying to figure out the best approach. I shouldn’t even be worried about this. The only thing that I should be thinking about is getting my job done and then leaving. She probably wouldn’t even miss me if I were gone and I need to just keep that in mind.

  I glance at my phone and decide I should walk to the bookstore. Maybe I can pick up a few extra hours to kill time. I clock in and immediately put myself to work dusting bookshelves and straightening things up. A redhead walks over, flirting shamelessly with me but I barely respond to anything she says or does. I’ve seen her in here before. When she stands behind me though with her breasts against my back, I can’t help but get hard. I turn to face her, my mouth inches from hers.

  “I just had to see you again.” she says.

  “What are you trying to do to me?” I ask.

  “Whatever you’ll let me do.” She responds without hesitating.

  Damn, she’s beautiful, but I don’t care about that. Her hand reaches down cupping my balls and my cock betrays me as it comes to life.

  “Damn girl,” I hiss trying to control myself. I’m standing in the aisle of a damn bookshelf and she’s practically throwing herself at me.

  Her hand moves up to the waist of my jeans and she slowly slides her hand down. As she grabs my cock, I groan looking for somewhere we can go. I want to ignore this but I can’t, she has me turned on. Maybe this can get my mind off things for a bit.

  I look back towards the storage room that no one ever goes in and I grab her hand pulling her behind me. The door shuts behind us and she savagely undoes my jeans. In one swift tug, they are on the ground and she takes my cock in her mouth. I groan as she takes it deeper, then swirls her tongue over the tip. Fuck, this feels good, too damn good. I grab her hair guiding her as she sucks harder, bringing me closer to my breaking point.