“Alcohol,” I answered. “You can surprise me.”
She looked at me like I was crazy. “I’ll have the bartender make you our special…it’s kind of strong.”
“Perfect,” I grinned.
“For you?” She turned her attention to Ezra and her mouth fell open. “Oh my God!” She jumped up and down—I kid you not. “You’re Ezra, from Willow Creek! Oh my God, I can’t believe this! I mean, I knew you guys lived here, but I never thought I’d meet one of you. Wow! This is amazing! Can I get a picture and an autograph?”
Ezra flashed me an apologetic smile before smiling full watt at the waitress. “Absolutely. Anything for a fan.”
I sighed and looked around at the attention her scream had drawn our way. In no time we would be swarmed.
She pulled her cellphone out of her apron and he posed for a picture. She then gave him a pen and he signed a piece of paper on her notepad.
“Thank you so much!” She gushed. “I’ll be right back with your drinks.”
“You didn’t get mine!” Ezra called after her.
She quickly did an about-face, her face flushed with embarrassment. “I’m so sorry about that. What can I get you?”
“Water,” he replied, “and an order of nachos. They’re her favorite.” He pointed at me.
She glanced at me and I could tell she’d already forgotten my existence.
“I’m sorry,” Ezra mouthed as a group of girls rushed our table.
I shrugged. I was used to this happening when we went out in public. Usually it happened in L.A. and not here, but it was the same thing. Besides, a bunch of squealing teenage girls were nothing I couldn’t handle.
Ezra posed for picture after picture and signed autographs. Our waitress had to fight her way through the mob to give us our drinks and nachos. Then I had to yell over the screaming girls to give her my order, and Ezra’s too, since he was currently occupied and couldn’t order for himself.
Before the waitress left I grabbed her arm. “Would you mind getting management to break this up?” I asked.
The girls had already gotten what they came for, so I wasn’t being rude, but they had overstayed their welcome.
“I’ll send the manager over,” she assured me.
I took a sip of whatever concoction she’d brought me. Whoa. She hadn’t been lying. It was strong.
I sipped some more and the burn gradually disappeared.
The guy that was obviously the manager showed up and escorted the girls away.
“Your ticket is on me. I’m so sorry for this inconvenience,” he apologized.
Ezra shrugged, sitting down once more. “It’s not a big deal. I’m used to it.” He smoothed his fingers through his ruffled hair—one of the girls had mused it. I hated that so many people treated the guys like they weren’t even human.
“Still,” the manager said, “I’d like to take care of it.”
“Of course.” Ezra smiled and nodded. He hated getting special treatment so I wouldn’t be surprised if he ended up leaving a wad of cash on the table before we left.
The manager smiled in goodbye and I was finally alone with Ezra.
“Is anybody else joining us?” I asked. It wasn’t unusual for the other guys to join us, and Emma of course, and I guess Mathias’ wife now—but I’d only ever met her once and the meeting had been brief since that happened to be the time Ezra punched Braden. Braden had spent half the night bitching about that and had continued to grumble for a good month afterwards. He was such a diva.
Ezra shook his head. “Just us. Something wrong with that?” He asked, bringing the glass of water to his lips.
“Of course not.”
Ezra and I went out just the two of us plenty of times in the past, not so much when I started dating Braden. He was too jealous.
“I ordered that burger you like,” I told him, finishing my drink.
“Thanks,” he smiled. “Was it good?” He nodded at my now empty glass.
“Fan-freaking-tastic, but it will take more than that to get me drunk.”
“Why do you want to get drunk?” He asked. “You’ll only regret it in the morning when you feel sick.”
“Because, for the last few years I’ve been nothing but responsible. Tonight,” I lifted my empty glass, signaling the waitress, “I want to be a normal twenty-one year old.” I answered with complete honesty. “And I know you won’t try to take advantage of me in my inebriated state,” I added.
He laughed, hiding his smile behind his hand.
“Also,” I continued as the waitress set down a new drink, “we live together. Therefore, you can haul my drunken ass home and not have to make an extra stop. It’s very considerate of me, I know. No need to praise me,” I joked.
“I’m happy to see you’re finally regaining your sense of humor. I was beginning to worry I was stuck with this melancholy version of you for a friend and that was really beginning to suck.” He winked.
I thought winking was the most ridiculous gesture ever, but Ezra made it downright sexy.
Wait…did I just call my best friend sexy?
What did they put into this magic potion to make me think such things? I proceeded to glare at my drink.
Eh, whatever.
I picked it up and drank half, wiping my mouth on the back of my hand.
So lady like.
I grabbed my fork and put some of the nachos on the plate the waitress had brought. Ezra was already devouring his own pile.
“These are so good,” I moaned, stuffing one into my mouth. This wasn’t a date so I could be as messy as I wanted.
He nodded his head in agreement, wiping his hands on his napkin.
“When was the last time you ate?” He asked me, noticing how I was devouring the chips.
My nose scrunched as I thought. “Uh…breakfast. I had a cereal bar for a snack.”
He glared at me. “You’ve only eaten once today?”
“I had a cereal bar!” I defended, gesticulating wildly with my free hand.
He shook his head as his teeth ground together. “Sadie, you can’t skip meals like that.”
I frowned. “I know, but I forget.”
“How do you forget to eat?” His hands landed roughly on the table as he leaned forward.
I shrugged, picking up another nacho chip and eating it. “I get busy and forget how much time has passed.”
He wasn’t pleased by my explanation and his nostrils flared.
“I’ll set a reminder in my phone,” I mumbled to appease him.
He still looked doubtful.
“Look, at least I’m eating now.” I pointed at my plate of nachos. Lifting my drink in the air, I added, “And drinking. Oh, alcohol, how I love thee.” I downed the rest of the drink. When a frown still marred his face, I said, “Eat, drink, and be merry. Your sourpuss vibe is killing my buzz and I need this right now.”
He laughed, the tension easing from his shoulders.
“Okay, I’ll let it go…for now.” He eyed me for a moment, letting me know that this conversation was far from over.
We’d unintentionally been leaning towards each other and jerked apart when the waitress appeared with our meals.
She set the burger in front of Ezra and a small pizza in front of me.
“Would you like another drink?” She asked me.
“Yep,” I nodded eagerly. “Go ahead and bring two.”
“Sadie.” Ezra warned with a low growl.
“Don’t listen to him,” I whispered conspiratorially, “someone pissed in his cheerios this morning.”
She glanced at Ezra, back to me, and then to him once more.
“Just bring her the drinks,” he grumbled. “Don’t make me regret this.” He warned me.
“However would I do that?”
“Wow, the stars look so pretty from here.”
Ezra kicked the car door closed with his booted foot. “That’s because I’m carrying you.”
“Look at all of them. They’re so sparkly. Can I ha
ve one?” I reached my hand up and tried to grab one. I frowned. “I can’t reach it. Can you get it for me?”
“You’re never drinking ever again,” he groaned, adjusting his hold on my body as he climbed the porch steps. “Wrap your arms around my neck,” he demanded. “I have to put you down so I can get the door open.”
I did as he asked and my shaky feet touched the ground. I wobbled and he wrapped an arm around my torso, holding me against his chest so that I didn’t fall.
The door swung open and cold air hit my face.
“Oh, that feels good.” I smiled, leaning forward and trying to get closer to the deliciously cool air.
Ezra chuckled. “Come on, up you go.”
My legs were whisked out from under me once more and I tightened my hold around his neck.
“Are you carrying me across the threshold?” I asked, laughter filling the words.
“No,” he groaned, “I’m carrying my drunk best friend home. And could you loosen your arms? You’re choking me.”
“Oh, sorry,” I giggled. I leaned my head back and looked up at the ceiling as he started up the steps. “Everything looks so different like this. Oh, ew, you need to clean up there.” I pointed to a cobweb.
He sighed as we reached the top of the stairs and he turned down the hallway to the guestroom.
My fingers tangled in the silky strands of his black hair as he pushed the bedroom door open with a nudge of his shoulder. “Your hair is so soft,” I gasped. “Like a puppy.” He snorted. “I want a puppy,” I told him, my words slurring. “Can you be my puppy?” I rubbed his head as he laid me down on the bed. “I’d name my puppy Oliver. Isn’t that a good name for a puppy? I think it is.”
He chuckled, untangling my fingers from his hair. “Sadie, you might be the most hilarious drunk person I’ve ever met.”
“Aw, thanks.” I reached for his hair again—seriously, it was the softest thing I’d ever felt—and he grabbed my hands and held them in both of his.
“Sadie, stop,” he warned.
“I want to pet the puppy!” I pouted.
“My hair is not a puppy.”
“Well it sure feels like one. Could’ve fooled me,” I huffed.
He sighed heavily and released my hands. He grabbed my shoes and began removing them.
“Are you trying to get me naked?”
“No,” he glared at me, “I’m trying to get your shoe off.”
“I’d be fine if you wanted to get me naked.”
“Sadie,” he warned.
“I haven’t had sex in…” I tried to count, but my brain was too muffled to form a coherent thought. “A long time. That should’ve been another tip that Braden was cheating. I’m so stupid.” I smacked my forehead.
He grabbed my hand. “Don’t hit yourself.” His voice softened.
He finished removing my shoes and they dropped to the floor with a crash.
“What’s so wrong with me?” I asked him. “Am I so repulsive?”
“Sadie, repulsive is the last thing that you are. Braden is just…well, there are no words for what Braden is.”
“I used to have a crush on you,” I admitted. “Shit,” I slapped my hand across my mouth, “I wasn’t ever supposed to tell you that. I’m never drinking again.”
He chuckled and shook his head. “Yeah, you won’t be drinking again if I have anything to say about it. So,” he grinned, “you had a crush on me?”
“Well, yeah,” I shrugged. “You’re hot. Who wouldn’t?”
He laughed and grabbed the blankets, trying to tuck me beneath the covers. My stomach rolled and I grabbed his wrist.
“I’m going to be sick¸” I warned.
“Shit,” he cursed. In a lightning fast move he grabbed the small trashcan and held it over for me. He held my hair back with his free hand as my body heaved.
I panted heavily, sweat breaking out across my skin. “Yep, I’m never drinking again,” I vowed.
He set the trashcan aside and looked me over. “Are you okay?”
“I think so.” I replied, my eyes growing heavy.
“Don’t go to sleep yet,” he warned. “I’ll be right back.”
He eased out of my room and flicked the light on in the hallway. I heard him fumbling in the bathroom and the sink running.
A minute later his shadow darkened the doorway and he strolled forward with two cloths in his hand. He crouched down beside me, his dark eyes full of worry.
Ever so gently he cleaned my mouth and then laid the clean cloth across my forehead.
“I’m not done yet.” He warned with a pointed look.
“I’ll try not to fall asleep, but no promises.”
He left me again and the stairs creaked as he went back downstairs.
I rolled onto my side, forcing my heavy lids to stay open.
Sleep. I needed sleep, and maybe some duct tape for my mouth before any more truths slipped past my lips.
When Ezra returned he had a glass of water and two pills.
“Here, take this.” He thrust the pills out to me.
I took them and the water. I set the glass on the table and he glared at me.
“What?”
“You need to drink all of the water.”
“Ezra.” His name sounded like a whine.
He crossed his arms over his lean chest and stared down at me. God, he was fucking relentless.
With a groan I picked up the glass once more and downed it.
“Happy?” I asked him, thrusting the empty glass into his outstretched hand.
“Immensely.”
He turned to leave and I grabbed his wrist. His steps halted and he looked down at me, his eyes shielded by his shaggy hair.
“Stay with me,” I begged. “I don’t want to be alone.”
Indecision warred on his face.
“Please?” My hand wrapped around his, tugging with as much force as I could muster, which admittedly wasn’t much in my current state.
“Why can I never say no to you?” He mumbled, looking up at the ceiling as if it held all the answers in the world.
“Because I’m irresistible?” I supplied.
He chuckled, his shoulders shaking. “Yeah. That must be it.”
He tugged his hand from my hold and started to leave. I let out a small sound of protest and he glanced back at me.
“I have to turn the hall light off.” He pointed.
“Oh.”
He did just that and darkness blanketed the space. I blinked my eyes, trying to get them to adjust to the now darkened room.
He left my bedroom door open and kicked off his boots before removing his shirt. Sadly, his jeans stayed on. I might’ve pouted. I really hoped it was too dark for him to see that.
He padded over to the other side of the bed and climbed in behind me, pulling the covers up and over us both.
I rolled over onto my other side to face him. He lay on his back and turned his head to look at me.
“Go to sleep,” he warned, his voice a low gravel.
“I don’t want to sleep,” I sulked.
“You need to.”
“You’re such a buzz kill.” I proceeded to poke his face.
He pushed my hand away. “And you’re drunk.”
“Really? I hadn’t noticed.”
He shook his head and put his hand over his mouth to hide his laugh. I sat up a bit, propping my body weight on my elbow.
“How come you’ve never made a move on me?” I asked, the words tumbling out of my mouth. “Why don’t you like me as more than a friend? I admitted to having a crush on you, but you’ve always been indifferent.”
He reached up and grasped my cheek. I startled at the gesture and my small gasp echoed through the room.
“I’m far from indifferent,” he growled lowly. “Trust me, there have been plenty of times where I wanted to make a move, as you put it, but I never did because your friendship is far more important to me than a quick fuck.”
I reached out with my
other hand, laying it flat on his chest over his heart. “So, that’s all you thought we’d be if we moved past the friend stage? A quick fuck?”
I didn’t know why I felt so hurt by his words.
He put his hand over mine and swallowed thickly. “We were both young and the chances of us making it as a couple seemed slim to me. I wasn’t going to throw our friendship away to test the waters, so to speak. And then you started dating Braden. But if you really must know, I am insanely attracted to you.” His voice lowered to a husky whisper.
My breath came out in small little pants. I wanted desperately to lean down and kiss him, but something told me that he didn’t want that, and also I’d yet to brush my teeth after vomiting so that was a kiss no one wanted.
“You are?” I asked stupidly, blinking my eyes rapidly like he was a mirage that might disappear at any second.
“I don’t lie.”
I continued to stare down at him, not sure what to do with this information.
Ezra made the decision for me. He pushed me down lightly and pulled me against his chest.
“Sleep, pretty girl,” he commanded.
I didn’t know how he could possibly expect me to sleep after he told me he was attracted to me. The man was lucky I hadn’t thrown my panties across the room and mauled him with my vagina.
His fingertips brushed lightly against my neck as he pushed away my hair. My skin prickled with Goosebumps when his lips replaced his fingers in the barest of touches. My eyes fluttered closed and a happy sigh fell from my lips. Ezra was never so bold, and I wondered if he was only being this way because he believed I’d be too drunk to remember in the morning.
I would remember though. There was no way I could forget this.
DAYLIGHT SPILLED ACROSS my body and I groaned as it penetrated my closed eyelids.
“It’s time to get up.” A hand smacked my foot. “It’s noon already.”
“Go away,” I groaned, burying my face in my pillow.
“No.”
“You’re killing my buzz.”
“Your buzz wore off hours ago, now you’re just hung over. Get up, we have to go.”
“I’m not going anywhere.” I hugged the pillow tighter to my body and slowly peeled open my eyes. I was supposed to do paperwork at the store today since I put it off last night, but there was no way I was doing that now. “Gah!” I quickly covered my eyes with a hand. “Turn the fucking ceiling light off,” I spat.
In Your Heart Page 7
