The Lost Days (Prairie Town Book 3)

by T. E. Ridener

  Oh, God.

  Nick suddenly felt like he was back in high school. Oh, how he remembered the nights of too much alcohol and not enough common sense. One of his best friends hadn’t known his limit either—albeit it took much more alcohol to get him drunk—and Nick always had to help him make it to the bathroom.

  “Okay.” A grin of amusement played on his lips as he wrapped an arm around Devin’s shoulders and shined the flashlight towards Kelly. “Will you be all right here for a few minutes?”

  “I’ll be fine.” She waved a hand in the air. “I’ll just sit here and think for a while.”

  “Thinking is good; we’ll be back.”

  “But we don’t even know where her bathroom is!” Devin’s head fell against his shoulder. “What if I piss myself? That would be so embarrassing.”

  “The worst.” Kelly giggled. “But there’s one thatta way.”

  Nick watched as she pointed a finger towards the door adjacent to the couch and nodded. “Thank you, Kelly. Sit tight.”

  “Sitting!” She called after him.

  It took a few attempts, but he finally got Devin into the bathroom—which was really hard to do while carrying a flashlight in one hand and holding onto his drunk ass with the other.

  “Do what you need to do and I’ll wait right outside the door. You’ll be good in the dark, right?” Nick asked, and then he placed the flashlight on the counter so Devin could see.

  He wasn’t certain it was a good idea; it was hard for a sober man to pee in the dark, let alone a drunk one.

  “Okay.” Devin slurred, and then he pushed the door shut.

  It only took about ten seconds for the door to inch open again.

  “I can’t unbutton my pants.” Devin whispered.

  Try as he might, Nick couldn’t help but laugh as he squeezed through the door and closed it again, shaking his head.

  “Okay, Dev-o. Face me.”

  Devin spun around and nearly knocked him over, snorting. “Sorry, sorry. Okay. I’m good.”

  “Are you sure?” Nick lifted an eyebrow as he reached down to grasp the button of his jeans. “The last thing we need is you getting hurt again – how’s your knee?”

  “It’s fine.” Devin gave him a huge smile. “I just really need to pee. Did you get it open yet?”

  “I’m working on it.” He popped open the front of his jeans and caught a glimpse of red and blue striped boxers. Quickly averting his gaze, Nick nodded. “Now you’re good to go. Do you need me to stay in here with you?”

  “No. I remember how to pee, thanks. I’ll be okay.”

  “Okay.” He exited the bathroom and shut the door again, straining to see in the dark. “Kelly? You okay out here?”

  No response.

  “Kelly?”

  When she failed to answer him the second time, he got a little concerned. Yes, Kelly was a grown ass woman and could do as she pleased, but she was also shit-faced and the house was pitch-black. He didn’t want her to injure herself.

  “Damn it, girl. Where did you go?” He carefully felt his way through the darkness. “Coffee table, couch...”

  He heard movement in the kitchen. It was an old house—his favorite kind—and the floorboards creaked with each step as Kelly made her way from one side to the other, farther away from him.

  So that’s how she wants to play this game, huh?

  He grinned coyly and tiptoed into the dark room, feeling around for the corner of the counter as he heard the cabinet doors opening and closing.

  “Kelly?”

  “Hmm?” Her voice was almost like a song, followed by a giggle, and then another cabinet door slammed shut. “Oopsie.”

  “What are you doing?” He kept his voice gentle and kind. If he knew anything about drunk people, he knew they didn’t need to feel threatened.

  Now, not all drunk people got violent, but he hadn’t known Kelly long enough to know what happened when she consumed copious amounts of alcohol. This was a first for him, and a first in a very long time for her.

  “I wanted more alcohol. The wine is gone.” She sounded sad about the fact. “Somebody drank all my wine, Nick.”

  “I know they did – it was you.” His feet carried him closer to the sound of her voice, but he still couldn’t see worth a shit.

  I hope Devin is all right.

  “Me?” She scoffed, and the sound of glass clinking against glass caught his ears. “Why would I do that?”

  “Well, I’m no expert, but I’m guessing maybe you decided to kick back and went a little further than expected.” His fingertips brushed against warm skin and he knew he had her, finally. Gripping her arm, he moved in behind her and chuckled. “Are you really trying to get more alcohol?”

  “Yep. Patrick has a whole collection up here.” She paused briefly, and then her voice softened. “Had, I mean. He had. I suppose it’s mine now.”

  He couldn’t deny the heartache in her voice. Hell, he still acted the same way when it came to his mother. It could be the happiest moment of his life and all it took was just one thought, one memory, to crack his heart.

  The death of a loved one always stung.

  “Hey now, none of that.” He lowered his voice. “You’re not allowed to be sad tonight.”

  “I’m always sad.” She turned in his arms and nestled her cheek against his chest. “You smell nice.”

  “Thank you.” He rested his chin atop her head and sighed. “But I mean what I said – no being sad, Kelly. I can’t stand for people to be sad in my presence.”

  “I’m sorry to disappoint you.” She pulled away from him, and he released her from his arms. The sound of a bottle being opened was deafening in the silence of her house. “I just need another drink. Just one more.”

  “I don’t know if that’s such a good idea. You might get sick.”

  “Oh, puh-lease. I never get sick from drinking. Never did, never will. Paddy and I were champions at this; it’s how Justin came to be.”

  Smiling at the images in his mind, Nick crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the table, listening as she gulped down a few drinks.

  “Well, for your sake, I hope you don’t get sick.”

  “I won’t.”

  A loud clatter in the living room nearly made him jump out of his shoes.

  “Oh, hell. Hold on, Kel; I’ll be right back.”

  “I’ll be here.” She cooed.

  He successfully managed to make it back into the living room without killing himself, only to be blinded by the flashlight. Shielding his eyes with his hand, he cursed beneath his breath. “What the hell are you doing, Devin?”

  “I was looking for you.” Devin replied innocently, lowering the light. “You disappeared.”

  “What was that noise?” He blinked rapidly and waited for the spots in front of his eyes to disappear. “What happened?”

  “I...think the cat did it.”

  “The cat? Kelly doesn’t have a cat.”

  “She doesn’t? Oh.” Devin shined the flashlight across the floor, over the wall, and even on the ceiling before releasing a ‘hm’. “I suppose that was my mistake.”

  “Give me that light.” He snatched it from his hand and shook his head. “Come back into the kitchen with me. Kelly’s decided to start drinking again.”

  “Oh, can I drink, too?” Devin asked excitedly as they headed back to the kitchen. “I don’t feel I’ve had enough yet. I’m not feeling it.”

  “Trust me, you’ve had enough.”

  “But I don’t feel like I have. I can’t remember being drunk before – how am I supposed to know?”

  “Trust me, kid; you’ve had enough.” Nick patted his arm and then pulled a seat out for him. “Sit.”

  “Hi, Devvy.” Kelly giggled from her spot on the counter—what the hell? When had she gotten on the counter?

  “Hi, Kelly.” Devin waved at her before slumping down in his chair. “Oh, I don’t feel so well.”

  “Oh my god.” Nick muttered beneath
his breath, glancing back and forth between the two of them.

  Devin was probably going to be sick and Kelly was well on her way.

  What was he going to do with them?

  “Okay, gang.” He clapped his hands together just as another flash of lightning lit up the sky. It was so bright he could actually make out the details of the wallpaper in her kitchen. “This storm probably isn’t going to be over any time soon, so why don’t we get you two to bed?”

  Bed was always the right answer when people decided to get smashed.

  “I’m not tired.” Kelly protested. “It’s early! Why would I go to bed now?”

  “Because, my dear,”—he gently gripped her beneath her arms and helped her down from the counter—“you are plastered as all get-out and you need to be in bed.”

  “Ohhhh, I see what’s happening here.” She poked a finger against his chest. “I know what you’re trying to do.”

  “What am I trying to do?” His eyebrows pinched together.

  “You want to get me in bed so you can have your way with me.”

  “I...what?”

  “Don’t act so innocent, Mister.” Her hot breath fanned over his chin as she tiptoed, obviously trying to be eye-to-eye with him—and that didn’t make sense because it was dark and she couldn’t see. “I know you want me. I see the way you look at me.”

  His expression softened and he snickered quietly. “Okay, you caught me. That’s exactly why I want you to go to bed. It has nothing to do with concern for your safety or anything.”

  “I knew it!”

  “You’re a riot, Kelly Spencer.” His arm wrapped around her body and he guided her towards the door, stopping briefly to shine the flashlight on Devin. “Are you coming with, or do I need to make two trips?”

  “What?” Devin lifted his head to gaze at him, his eyes glossy with intoxication. “Y-you want me to go up there? To her bed?”

  “I never said that. ‘Bed’ can mean two different things. In this case it means where you’re going to sleep, and you, Sir, are going to sleep on the couch.”

  “The couch?” He scowled, wrinkling his nose in a cute drunken manner. “Why do I have to sleep on the couch?”

  “Because we don’t need anything happening tonight that one of us will regret in the morning.”

  He was not used to being the one who set a good example, but he knew that needed to be the case right now. Putting Devin and Kelly in a bed together, completely shit-faced, was only asking for trouble. That happening—if it happened—was supposed to be special for all of them. He didn’t want to ruin things before they had a chance to start.

  “I’ll stay here,” Devin mumbled, pulling him from his thoughts.

  “Okay. I’ll be right back.”

  Helping Kelly up the stairs wasn’t as hard as he imagined it would be. She serenaded him all the way into the bedroom, and things only became difficult after he pulled her shoes off and tried to get her beneath the blankets.

  “Don’t leave me.” Her arms locked around his neck like a freaking vice. “It’s dark.”

  “Then I’ll find you some candles. The power can’t stay off forever, Kelly—ow. You’re kind of choking me right now.”

  “I’m sorry.” His pain amused her apparently. “Just stay for a minute? One minute?”

  Pressing a knee against the mattress and keeping himself from toppling over, he gently peeled her arms from around his neck and helped her lie down again. “Okay, but just for a minute – Devin is still downstairs and God only knows what he’ll get into.”

  “Oh, Devin.” Her voice became solemn. “Poor Devin has been through so much. We all have.”

  “I know, sweetheart.” He fluffed the pillow beneath her head and hoped she’d become comfortable enough to fall asleep soon.

  “My friend Lydia – do you know Lydia?”

  “I’m afraid we haven’t had the pleasure of meeting yet.”

  “She’s been through a lot, too. Devin used to make her life hell, especially back when she was a boy.” She gasped loudly and slammed her hand against her mouth. “I shouldn’t have said that.”

  Whoa, wait. Her friend used to be a boy? Not that it was his business—nothing in Prairie Town was his business—but he hadn’t known there were any transgender people living in such an itty bitty place.

  It gave him hope that maybe Prairie Town could accept who he was, too.

  “I didn’t hear anything if you didn’t want me to.” He tucked the blankets around her and leaned in to kiss her forehead. “Get some rest.”

  “But I’m not sleepy,” she whispered, and moved her hand to the back of his neck. “Stay with me. Please?”

  He wanted to. God, he wanted to stay all night and hold her in his arms. He wanted to play with her hair and listen to her breathing while she slept, but there was no way he could let that happen.

  Not yet.

  “What about Devin?” His voice remained as soft as ever as he strained to see her in the darkness.

  “He can come up here, too. My bed is big enough for all of us to sleep in.”

  “Things happen when people sleep in bed together, Kelly.” He licked his lips and swallowed hard. “Maybe it’s not such a good idea...”

  “Or maybe it is.” She sighed and wiggled beneath the blankets. “Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve kissed a man, even considered it?”

  “I imagine it’s been a long time, sweetheart.” His fingers twitched against the fabric of her comforter, aching to touch her.

  “Ever since Patrick died,”—she sniffled—“I always told myself I’d never be with anyone else, ever again.”

  “And?” His breath hitched in his throat and his heart began to pound.

  “And...well, I just think that maybe I shouldn’t have thought such things. Patrick wouldn’t have wanted that for me. He’d want me to be happy, wouldn’t he?”

  “Of course he would, Kelly. There’s no reason to punish yourself. You loved him, and only him, when he was alive. He wouldn’t be very happy knowing you’re depriving yourself of affection, of love, because he’s gone.”

  “I know. I just...it’s hard. I loved him so much.”

  And then came the crying. It was a lot of crying. All he could do was hold her as her body shook against his, and all the while he wished there was something he could do to ease her heartache.

  “I don’t mean to be like this,” she mumbled sleepily against his chest sometime later. “I guess I’ve just never really talked about it before.”

  “It’s okay.” He nuzzled his nose into her hair and breathed in as deeply as he could. “I’m glad you feel comfortable enough to talk to me about it. You can talk to me about anything, you know.”

  “That’s nice.” She yawned. “You’re nice.”

  “I try to be.” He kissed her temple. “Go to sleep, beautiful.”

  “Okay.”

  Another five minutes passed by and she was finally sound asleep. Carefully, very carefully, he untangled himself from her arms and got out of bed, tiptoeing towards the door.

  She’s a good woman, his eyes moved back to the bed and he caught a glimpse of her sleeping frame when lightning flashed again. She may be too good for me.

  Descending the stairs in complete silence, he thought about everything Kelly must have gone through after losing her husband. It had to be hard raising two kids by herself—two very young kids at that.

  He wasn’t sure he could have done it, but man did his hat go off to her for trying so hard.

  He admired her greatly for it, and it didn’t help his growing infatuation with her.

  I could make their lives better – all of them.

  Once he reached the bottom of the stairs, he turned the flashlight back on and shined it around the room, making his way towards the kitchen.

  “Dev-o?” He whispered loudly.

  “I’m right here,” Devin said, much closer than Nick anticipated.

  He jumped slightly and quickly turned the flash
light towards the couch, surprised to find Devin sitting there.

  “Scare the shit out of somebody, won’t you?” He released a shaky breath and rolled his eyes. “Jesus Christ.”

  “Sorry.” Devin grinned a little and scooted over, patting the empty cushion beside him. “Want to sit down?”

  I probably should not, he thought, his eyes landing on the cushion. He’s still drunk.

  Yet he found himself sitting beside him seconds later. Placing the flashlight on the coffee table, pointing towards the ceiling, he eased back on the cushions and sighed.

  “I thought you were going to get candles,” Devin commented after a moment.

  “I got distracted.” He turned his head to look at him. “And I thought I told you to stay put in the kitchen.”

  “My butt went numb.” Oh, the remarks he could have made. “Is Kelly asleep?”

  “Yeah, she’s down for the count. We should probably consider doing that soon, too.”

  “I’m not really tired.” Devin shrugged. “Should we stay here tonight?”

  “I’d planned on it. I don’t feel right leaving her alone with the weather like this. We should at least stay until morning.”

  “Okay.” Devin huddled closer to him and cleared his throat. “It’s cold in here, isn’t it?”

  The hair on his arms stood on end, fully aware of their close proximity. He knew that Devin was only trying to get warm and he knew it didn’t mean what he thought it meant, but he enjoyed it nonetheless.

  “It’s a little cold. Here.” He twisted his body around until he could grab an old crocheted blanket from the back of the couch, then he unfolded it and wrapped it around Devin’s torso. “Better?”

  “Much.” Devin’s head fell against his shoulder once again and a quiet yawn slipped past his lips. “I’m tired.”

  “I thought you said you weren’t,” he teased, nudging his ribs playfully. “Go to sleep.”

  “Mhm,” Devin mumbled, and then he scooted even closer. He was basically in Nick’s lap, and holy shit, he didn’t know what to do about that.

  After a few seconds—maybe even an eternity—Nick finally asked the question heaviest on his mind at the moment. “Do you like guys, Devin?”

  He was afraid he wasn’t going to answer him, but then Devin lifted his head to peer at him with those ridiculously beautiful eyes and smiled shyly. “I don’t know. I’ve not given it too much thought.”