by Laura Farr
The rest of the week flew by, and thankfully Josh did as I’d asked and stayed away. He had sent me a couple of texts apologizing for what had happened on Sunday, but I never replied, not wanting to face getting into a conversation with him. When I wasn’t at school, I was packing my room up, and before I knew it, the weekend had arrived and the day to move into the cottage dawned. I hadn’t managed to get much sleep the night before and woke up exhausted. I was nervous—nervous to live on my own, and nervous to have this baby on my own. I knew I’d have to put on a brave face for the day if I was going to convince everyone I was fine. A knock on my door pulled me from my thoughts and Brody walked in.
“Hey Sav, you ready for moving day?” he asked, sitting down on the bed next to me.
“Well, I’m all packed,” I replied, gesturing at all the boxes that littered my floor.
“You have a ton of shit!” he exclaimed, looking around.
“Hey! I’m a girl, girls have lots of stuff,” I replied with a pout.
He shook his head and laughed. “I asked Josh to help us move the heavy stuff, but he told me to check with you first—why would I need to check with you? What’s going on with you two?”
I sighed and climbed out of bed. “Nothing’s going on, that’s the problem,” I replied as I headed to the bathroom. Turning in the doorway, I faced him. “It hurts to be around him Brody. He acts like he has some claim over me, but doesn’t want to be with me. I know he’s your friend, but I can’t be around him right now. Can we do the move without him?”
“Of course. I’ll ask Mason to help. I’m sorry you’re hurting Sav. I think I need to have a word with him.”
“No! Just leave it, please,” I begged him. He nodded, but knowing Brody, he wouldn’t leave it. I just hoped they didn’t come to blows about it; they’d been friends for too long to argue over me.
After a quick breakfast, Mason and Brody began moving my stuff. Brody might have thought I had loads to move, but I didn’t—not really. I had a ton of clothes and shoes, especially cowboy boots, but that was about it. Everything new I had bought for the cottage was already waiting there for me, and the actual moving of furniture didn’t take long. By lunchtime, everything was in its place, and all that was left to do was unpack my bags and boxes. My dad had to work, but my mom was helping me set up the kitchen. I wasn’t the best cook in the world, but I’d stocked up on all the essentials, knowing I’d need to learn, and quickly. Mom, Brody, and Mason made sure I didn’t lift a thing, often sitting me on the sofa or sending me into the kitchen to make them a drink.
By late afternoon, everything was unpacked, and we all headed back to the main house for dinner. Brody had a date, so it was just me and my parents.
“Are you sure you’re going to be okay at the cottage Savannah?” my mom asked as we sat at the table eating the pizza we’d ordered in. “You could always stay here until the baby arrives? You could move out afterward?”
“I’ve already moved out Mom!” I exclaimed. “All my stuff is at the cottage.”
“I know, I know, but that doesn’t mean you can’t come back. This will always be your home.”
“Thanks Mom,” I told her, reaching across the table to hold her hand. “I’m nervous about doing this on my own, but it’s something I need to do. I’ll be fine,” I insisted, hoping I was right. The lack of any sleep the previous night had finally caught up with me, and I sat yawning at the dining table. “I think I’m going to head to the cottage, I’m exhausted.”
“Okay sweetheart,” my dad said. “I’ll walk you back.”
“There’s no need Dad, it’s only 200 yards away.” He nodded and pulled me in for a hug. I went willingly, squeezing him tightly.
“You know where we are if you need us sweet pea,” he said.
“Thank you, Daddy,” I whispered.
After saying goodnight and making a plan to come back for breakfast in the morning, I made the short walk back to the cottage. It was just starting to go dark outside and the night was filled with the sounds of chirping crickets. As the cottage came into view, I dug in my pocket for the front door key, unlocked it, and walked in, noticing that either Josh or Brody had oiled the door, as it no longer squeaked as it opened. I quickly shut it and locked it behind me. Standing in the sitting room, I looked around. There was the sofa on one wall and the fireplace on the other. The small television sat on a stand next to the fireplace, and a matching coffee table was placed in the middle of the room. Thankfully, the furniture my parents had given me fit perfectly in the room. Turning to the window, I saw the glass that had broken had been replaced, and new drapes hung there. I reached up and closed them, enclosing me inside the cozy cottage.
It was early, but I was exhausted, and after making sure all the doors and windows were locked, I made my way up to my bedroom. After a quick shower, I climbed into bed, pulling the comforter around me. Having my own bed and furniture made the room feel familiar, but it was still unsettling to know I was there alone. Reaching for my phone, I held it under the comforter, feeling slightly better that it was on hand if I needed it. I knew I was being ridiculous, I was perfectly safe in the cottage, but I supposed it would take time to get used to living alone.
I must have eventually fallen asleep as I was jolted awake by the sound of my phone ringing. The tune was muffled, and I realized it must have dropped out of my hand after I nodded off. The room was dark and I felt around under the comforter, eventually finding it. Squinting at the display, I groaned—Josh’s name flashed across the screen. What did he want? Checking the time, I saw it was 1:45am. I canceled the call and placed my phone on the nightstand. I wasn’t going to answer; I knew he was probably drunk, and whatever he wanted to say to me, I didn’t want to hear it, especially at that time of night. Rolling over, I closed my eyes and tried to fall back asleep, only to have my phone ring again. Angrily, I snatched it off the side table and once again canceled the call. Almost immediately, it buzzed with an incoming text.
Josh: This is the bartender at the Brass Hall, I’m going to call back, please pick up.
I stared at the message, quickly rereading it. The bartender? What was he doing with Josh’s phone? My stomach dropped and the panic began to set in—had something happened to him? Was he okay? I may have asked him to stay away, but the thought of something happening to him made me feel sick. My phone rang in my hand and I sat up in bed. Pushing the answer button with a shaky hand, I put it to my ear. “Hello,” I said anxiously.
“Hi Savannah, it’s Ben from the Brass Hall. I’ve got your boyfriend here, and he’s pretty drunk. I’m sorry to call so late, but yours was the only name I could get out of him. Can you come pick him up? We’re closing in 10.”
Relieved that he was okay but pissed that I’d been woken up to pick up his sorry ass, I sighed loudly. “He’s not my boyfriend, and can’t you just put him in a cab?” I was amazed that the bartender was actually calling me to pick him up—surely they just kicked out the drunks and locked up.
“Sweetheart, no cab is going to take him anywhere. He can barely walk,” he replied, beginning to sound annoyed. “Look, can you pick him up or not?”
Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath. “Yes, okay, I’ll be there soon.” I hung up then quickly called Brody’s phone—Josh was Brody’s friend, so he could deal with him. I listened as the call went straight to voicemail and I groaned. Swinging my legs over the side of the bed, I pulled on some yoga pants and a sweatshirt. I was furious, but what choice did I have? I could have called Mason to get him, but that was hardly fair to Mason. I was going to have to do it myself.
The ride into Marble Falls was quick, and the roads were empty, thankfully. I pulled up outside the Brass Hall just before 2am. Slamming the door, I marched up to the entrance, watching as the bouncer looked me up and down, taking in my disheveled appearance.
“We’re closed sweetheart,” he said, his voice deep and gravelly.
“Ben from behind the bar called me to pick up my drunk friend.�
�� I stressed the word ‘friend’ and waited as he moved aside and opened the door for me. I walked in, heading straight for the bar. I could see Josh sitting on a stool, his body slumped on the counter.
“You must be Savannah,” said a voice from behind me. Turning, I saw a tall guy collecting glasses from the empty tables. “I’m Ben,” he said with a smile. “Thanks for coming to get him. Normally I wouldn’t call and we’d just kick him out, but he sat at my bar all night talking about you and getting drunk. I figured you’d had an argument and he was drowning his sorrows.” He raised his eyebrows as if waiting for me to respond.
“What’s he been saying?” I asked, surprise to hear that he was talking about me.
He held his hands up and laughed. “A good bartender never tells.”
I rolled my eyes and made my way over to Josh. “Josh, wake up, time to go.” I shook him gently on the shoulder, and he lifted his head off the bar then turned to look at me.
“Savannah!” he exclaimed, climbing off the bar stool and wrapping his arms around me. “What are you doing here?” he asked, his voice slurring. “You look beautiful.”
Rolling my eyes again, I ignored him. Pushing out of his embrace, I took a step back. “Picking up your drunk ass!” I exclaimed. “Your new best friend over there called me to be your cab.” I gestured behind me to where Ben was still clearing tables. Turning back to Josh, I saw the confused look on his face.
“What?” he slurred as he sat back down heavily.
“Never mind,” I snapped. There was nothing worse than being around someone who was drunk when you weren’t. “Can we just go? I’d like to get back to bed.”
He attempted to nod before turning on his seat. Reaching for me, he pulled me so I was standing in between his legs. “Thank you for coming to get me,” he mumbled in my ear, the alcohol on his breath making me recoil.
“Come on,” I told him, squirming out of his hold. I wasn’t going to stand there and tell him I didn’t mind being dragged out of my bed in the middle of the night. I was pissed, but there would be no point in yelling at him now—he wouldn’t remember a thing. I’d yell at him the next day. I walked toward the exit, and I could hear Josh stumbling behind me. Outside, I shivered as I hurried to the car. I should probably have been helping him, but I was too mad. Reaching the car, I held open the passenger door and waited for Josh, watching him slowly make his way toward me. Finally reaching me, he stumbled into the seat, his head dropping back against the headrest as his eyes closed. Sighing, I closed the door with a bang. If he threw up in my car, I was going to kill him.
Josh lived about a 15-minute drive from the center of town, and I drove in silence as he snored loudly in the passenger seat. Anger bubbled inside me as I turned off the main highway and onto the private road where his house was situated. Coming to a stop on the gravel drive, I glanced around, noticing there were no cars there and all the lights were out.
“Josh,” I said loudly, pushing on his shoulder. I was met with a grunt. “Josh, do you have your key?” He grunted again, his eyes never opening.
I flung the car door open and marched up to the porch steps, knocking loudly on the door. It may have been past 2 in the morning, but I didn’t care; his parents could deal with him. I waited impatiently on the doorstep, and when nothing happened, I knocked again. After a minute or two I groaned, realizing there was no one home. In desperation, I reached for the door handle in the hope that it would be unlocked; it wasn’t. Defeated, I turned and made my way back to the car, where Josh was still snoring in the passenger seat. I patted the pockets in his jeans but couldn’t feel any keys. I figured he’d lost them, or gone out without them; either way, it was pretty obvious that I wasn’t getting him home. As angry as I was with him, I couldn’t just kick him out of the car on his driveway. I’d have to bring him back to the cottage, and I didn’t have a spare bed so he would have to sleep on the sofa in the sitting room. Judging by the state of him, I was guessing he would sleep pretty much anywhere.
Arriving back at the cottage about 15 minutes later, I managed to wake Josh after shaking his shoulder and pulling on his arm. Dazed, he climbed out of the car and staggered to the cottage door. Leaning with his back against the door, he watched as I locked the car and made my way toward him.
“You’re gorgeous Savannah,” he slurred, his hands reaching for me as I came to stand in front of him.
“Enough of the bullshit Josh,” I told him as I pushed his hands away. “It’s bad enough I had to come pick you up, don’t make it any worse.”
“I’m sorry Sav,” he mumbled, swaying on his feet before stepping aside for me to unlock the door.
“You’re on the sofa,” I said sternly as I walked through the sitting room, gesturing to it with my head.
“I need to use the bathroom.”
“You know where it is. I’ll get you some water and Tylenol—you’re going to need it.” I made my way into the kitchen, and I could hear him stumbling up the stairs as I grabbed him a bottle of water and some tablets. I fixed myself a drink, and noticing that it had gone quiet, I expected to see him sprawled out on the sofa when I came out of the kitchen, but he wasn’t there. As I reached the top of the stairs, I could hear snoring coming from my bedroom. Rushing in, I found Josh wearing only his boxers, face down on top of my comforter.
“Josh!” I shouted. Moving to the edge of the bed, I threw the bottle of water at him in an attempt to wake him up. “Josh! This isn’t funny! Wake up and get on the sofa,” I yelled, my anger bubbling over. He didn’t flinch at the shouting, or the water bottle that bounced off his back. I quickly realized he was sound asleep and there was no way I was going to be able to wake him. “Urghh!” I exclaimed, storming around to the opposite side of the bed and pulling off my yoga pants and sweatshirt. This was my house, and there was no way I was sleeping on the sofa while Josh snored in my bed. Slipping a t-shirt over my head, I threw the comforter back as far as I could with his body on top of it and climbed in.
Using my body, I pushed against him, forcing him to move over. As he did, he rolled onto his back, and unable to stop myself, I leaned up on my elbow, powerless to drag my eyes away from his almost naked body. His toned chest rose and fell steadily with his breathing, and my eyes tracked his sculpted abs, continuing down to his tight white boxers, the outline of his manhood clearly visible. I was pissed at him, but there was no denying the searing attraction I felt for him, especially when he was lying in my bed, barely clothed. Rolling away from him, I pulled my knees into my chest and wrapped my arms around the comforter. I sighed loudly, hoping I would be able to fall asleep knowing he was lying next to me.
I woke up suddenly, a hard body pressing against mine. Panic began to set in until I realized it belonged to Josh and the events of the night before coming flooding back. Josh’s arm was across my chest and his leg entwined with mine, pinning me beneath him. “Josh,” I whispered, trying to move out of his hold. “Josh,” I repeated when I was met with silence, though he must have been awake because he pulled me closer toward him.
“Shhh, Sav,” he whispered into my neck, making me shiver. “Don’t ruin it.”
“Ruin what?” I asked him, confused.
“Finally waking up with you in my arms.”
Pushing out of his embrace, I sat up and turned to face him. “Are you still drunk?” I asked him skeptically.
“No baby,” he said, chuckling. “Although my head hurts and I’m not really sure what I’m doing in your bed. Did we…?” He looked at me, raising his eyebrows in question.
Folding my arms across my chest, I glared at him. “If you’re asking if we had sex, no we didn’t, and the reason you’re in my bed is because you came up to use the bathroom and passed out in here. You were supposed to sleep on the sofa!” I exclaimed.
“I remember you picking me up from the bar, but it’s a blur after that. Did you take my clothes off?”
“No Josh, that was all you!”
“I’m sorry—sorry you had to
come pick me up, and sorry for not sleeping on the sofa,” he said, his voice sincere.
“I’m not going to tell you it’s okay, because it’s not. I’m pissed at you.”
“How did you even know to pick me up?” he asked.
“You really don’t remember?” He shook his head. “The bartender called me from your phone. Believe me, I tried to get Brody to pick up your drunk ass, but his phone was turned off. I also tried to drop you off at home, but no one was there and I couldn’t find your house key.”
“How did the bartender know to call you?” he asked, still confused. I looked down and played with the edge of my t-shirt. “Sav?” he prompted, and I sighed.
“Apparently, you were talking to him about me,” I said quietly. When he didn’t comment, I climbed out of bed. “I need coffee.” I rushed out of the room, quickly using the bathroom before heading downstairs. Waking up in Josh’s arms was something I’d dreamed about for years, and it certainly hadn’t disappointed.
“Do you mind if I jump in the shower?” Josh shouted from upstairs.
“No, that fine. There are clean towels in the bathroom,” I shouted back, flicking the coffee pot on. I wasn’t really supposed to drink coffee, but I allowed myself one cup each morning to get me going.
15 minutes later, I heard Josh coming down the stairs. “Something smells good,” he said as he walked into the small kitchen.
“I’m still mad at you, but I’m hungry, and I can’t eat and not offer you something,” I said, gesturing to the bacon. “Help yourself. I put you some Tylenol on the side, and water is in the fridge.”
“Thank you,” he said gratefully. “My head is killing me.” I watched as he took a bottle of water from the fridge and popped two Tylenol in his mouth, taking a gulp of water to wash them down.
“What happened last night? Why were you so drunk?” I asked him. I figured if I was the one dragged out of bed to pick him up, I deserved to know why. Josh liked to drink and I’d seen him drunk plenty of times, but I’d never seen him like he’d been the previous night.
