Chapter 25
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Andrew
I wake with a start to a pounding headache and a foul taste in my mouth. I vaguely remember puking my guts up last night. God, I was wasted. I ransack my brain for what happened, lots of partying, way too many shots, and some blonde chick screaming at me. Then I was being shoved into an Uber by my buddy, Dan.
Tess is never gonna let me hear the end of this. She already busts my balls about how I’m such a “cheap date” but her drinking standards are way too high. No one can hold their liquor like Tessa Kinsley, no one.
I reach across the bed to pull her close to me. I hope she doesn’t feel as crappy as I do, it’s good she doesn’t have to work till tonight. Feeling around for her body, my hand slides under the blanket and against the cool fabric. There’s nothing there.
Forcing my sensitive eyes to crack open, I look to the undisturbed covers.
Where is she?
A burst of pain explodes in my head when I sit up too quickly. She was already gone by the time I left the bar. I don’t blame her in the slightest for not wanting to stick around my obnoxious friends. Then there was Li—
FUCK.
Lilah.
She was at the bar. The angry blonde yelling at me. Maybe that’s why Tessa left early, she got pissed off when she saw her. No, no way in hell would she leave me alone with Lilah. She’d go in guns blazing and mouth firing off at rapid speeds.
Then again, that’s more old Tessa’s style, isn’t it?
I’ve had enough of this guessing game. I’ll just call her and find out what happened. More than likely, she decided to crash in her room at my parents considering they live closer to downtown.
Come to think of it, I didn’t see my sister either, they probably left together. Yeah, that’s gotta be what happened.
I let out a frustrated breath when I reach her voicemail. I leave a message, then shoot her a text as well.
Me: Where did you crash last night? Come over, breakfast is in half an hour
I pause, then add,
Me: Making your favorite.
There’s no way she won’t come now, she goes crazy for Mom’s famous cinnamon peach pancakes. After a quick shower, I check my phone. No response. She’s probably in a mood after seeing Lilah, nothing pancakes and kisses can’t handle. I go through the motions of measuring out ingredients and preparing the batter. Normally, I find cooking soothing, but there’s something tugging at the back of my mind.
Something’s off.
Something’s very fucking off.
“Drew?” Marybeth’s concerned voice comes from behind me. Whipping around frantically, I stare into her worried green eyes, desperate to find the answers I seek.
“What’s wrong? I could hear you banging around all the way from my room and—Jesus, what a mess.” My eyes slide down to where the batter has splattered across the counter and wall, I guess I was mixing it harder than I thought.
“Have you heard from Tessa?” I ask a little too roughly, her eyes flash with alarm.
“Not since last night. I thought she came back with you?”
I close my eyes for a second and breathe in through my nose. “No. She was already gone by the time I left. I thought maybe she left with you, that you guys decided to crash at Mom and Dad’s.”
Her ear reddens as she looks away. “No, I uh. . . left with someone else.” Still avoiding my eyes, she grabs a dishrag and begins to clean up the mess.
“Do you think she flipped out when Lilah showed up?” The bowl clatters into the sink as she flips back around.
“Lilah was there?” she squeaks out, her eyes widening in surprise.
“Yeah, but not for long. I have hazy memories of calling her a “blonde leech” and she took off shortly after.” As I piece together the events of last night, I pace back and forth between the kitchen and the living room.
“Well if Tessa saw Lilah pawing all over you, maybe we’re worried about the wrong girl.”
I stop to give her a wry look. “She wouldn’t do anything to Lilah.”
I hope.
She looks unconvinced. “Uh huh, so when did you last see her? I know I left her at the table with you.”
“Yeah, and she shoo’d me away. You know how antsy she gets in large crowds, I could tell she needed a little space, plus the guys were calling me over. Last I looked over, she was happily devouring a giant cheeseburger.” I check my phone again, still nothing.
“Did she keep drinking?”
I run a hand through my hair in frustration. “How the hell should I know? I was wasted myself.”
“Sorry, I know. We were all a little fucked up last night, I’m just worried I guess.” She squeezes my forearm with a tired smile.
“She’s probably just sleeping it off at Mom’s. I’m gonna call over there.”
She shakes her head. “Mom and Dad left this morning for London, remember?”
Their anniversary trip, I completely forgot.
“Let me get dressed real quick and we’ll swing by. No point in sitting here worrying until she calls back.” I sink into the couch, tapping my foot impatiently as I wait.
I hear my sister’s muffled voice from her bedroom. “Jesus, I forgot you were still here. Get out.”
A deep voice responds, but I can’t quite make out the words. Her response is clear as day though. “Oh, you wish. Buzz off.”
A door is slammed, then a very naked man is shuffling past me. I make a sound in my throat when I recognize him.
He looks over and nods casually when he notices me. “Sup Drew.”
“Kyle.” I nod back with a raised eyebrow.
“Your sister’s kind of a dick man.” He continues his slow shuffle to the front door, holding his balled up clothing over his junk.
I nod sympathetically. “I know, bro.” I see a final flash of his pale ass before he’s out the door.
I’m already over this day.