Chapter Twenty-One

Myles

I toss and turn. I’m never getting to sleep without some help. I head into the kitchen where I have a cabinet filled with alcohol I barely touch. I place the bottle of whiskey on the table with a shot glass and get to work drinking away my sorrows. I haven’t done this in a while, but heck, I have to admit my old friend whiskey has never let me down.

I pour another shot into the single shot glass I own. It doesn’t burn going down, which tells me I’m on my way to numb. I shouldn’t be drinking tonight, considering we have a big game tomorrow, but Oliver just laid some fucking heavy shit on me.

I find myself walking over to Oli’s apartment. I’m not sure why, other than I need to talk to Flynn. Probably a bad idea given how drunk I am. I stumble through the front door and slam into the wall. I can’t just walk into her room. Last time she nearly poked my eye out.

“What the hell is going on out here?”

Flynn stands there rubbing her eyes, which are half closed. “Myles, what are you doing?” she asks, her voice raspy and tired. I sway as I take in her sexy little tank top and sleep shorts. Fuck, I want her bad. I’m sick of being a gentleman around her.

“Are you drunk?” Her face scrunches up. She’s adorable.

“Just a little.” I laugh and press my fingertip to my thumb.

“Myles, I think you should go back to your place and sleep it off,” she says. She’s probably right, but I have too much shit sitting on my chest. I stare at her a little too long.

“Fuck, you’re beautiful. I wish I didn’t think you were so damn beautiful inside and out.” I sigh.

She frowns and takes a step toward me. “Talk to me, Myles.” She sounds worried.

“I can’t. I can’t talk to you because that makes me want you. I ache for you. You have no idea. When I came to New York, I came for you not him.” I tilt my chin to Oli’s room. A part of me is aware that I’m a fumbling drunk who is talking too much, but I can’t stop. “He said you were doing well in school, you were finally settling down. I didn’t want to ruin you. I never wanted to ruin you.” My head falls on her shoulder, and she caresses the back of my neck.

“Myles…” she whispers.

“Fuck, Myles, what the fuck?” Oli’s bedroom door flies open, and I flinch backward, lifting my head to look at him. He stares at me with one eye half shut.

“What’s wrong with you? I need sleep,” he says with a commanding tone. Can’t blame him, either.

“He’s drunk off his ass,” Flynn chimes in. Oli gives her a look that says he can already see that.

“Go sleep it off.” Oli waves me off.

“I got this. Go back to bed.” He says to Flynn like he’s her father.

She crosses her arms. “No. I want to help him. He’s my friend, too.”

Oli rolls his eyes. “Fuck. Let’s get him back to his apartment, then.”

“Fine,” she concedes, and they each take me by an arm.

I stumble as I walk. “This is so crazy. Look at the three of us. Who would have ever thought this day would come. I sure as hell didn’t.” I turn my attention to Flynn. “Your parents knew. Can you believe your parents knew?” I can’t hide the excitement in my tone, but Flynn frowns. I’m making her sad. Shit.

“Myles shut the fuck up,” Oli warns.

Flynn drops my arm. “I’m going to bed.” She walks back to her room.

Oli turns to me. “Come on, Myles… Fuck, I don’t have all night.” He shakes his head, and I follow him back to my apartment. My reasons for walking into theirs don’t make sense now.

We walk into my place, and Oli stands with his arms crossed just like Flynn did moments ago.

I fall back into a seat at my kitchen table.

“You’re going to feel like shit tomorrow.” He’s right. Alcohol hits me hard.

“Better than what I’m feeling now,” I bite out. I down another shot of liquid courage. Then I look my best friend in the eye. “I don’t know what to do. I don’t want to disappoint her. She’s been through enough.”

Oli’s stands by my kitchen table.

“You and my sister… It’s like the last seven years—no, even before the accident, you looked for ways of telling yourselves you shouldn’t be together. You’re doing it because you feel like shit in here,” Oli says, smacking his chest.

My elbows rest on the table as my head falls forward. I catch it in my hands. “Fuck,” I bark.

“Yes, your parents were worthless assholes that didn’t deserve you, but you are the best person I know. You’ve had my back since I can remember. You’re a great friend. You always had more skill than me, and I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for you and your dedication to helping me succeed. You care about Flynn. You’re worthy. So do something about it.”

“Are you done?” I’m numb, but every damn word he’s said has resonated.

He lets out a long breath. “I’m fucking done, and I’m going to sleep.” He turns and stalks out of my apartment. I’m left staring at my bottle of whiskey, willing it to give me all the answers to life. Only it doesn’t.

I hold the half-empty bottle in my hands. “You better be ready, Flynn, because I’m about to put the fight up of my life to win you back.” Then I place my head on the kitchen table, and I pass out.