30– Gabrielle

Since I had been working with Kayden for six months, I had never once seen him deliriously drunk.

Not once.

I had seen him tipsy. I had seen him hungover. I had seen him drink enough to become louder than usual at parties and cockier than usual around women.

But I had never seen him like this.

And honestly? It wasn’t a terrible sight.

The man was a dramatic drunk. He talked a lot. He moved a lot. And, dare I say, he was the cutest when he was drunk.

Well… That was until everything began falling apart.

“Oh, God.” I tightened my grip around his waist as he stumbled beside me, nearly taking us both into the wall of the elevator. “Kayden.”

“I’m fine,” he slurred. 

“Yeah? Well, that’s all thanks to me,” I replied, holding him tightly.

“I was trying to avoid the wall,” he said. I stared at him. He stared back at me with the most serious expression I’d ever seen on his face. “I was.”

“Of course you were.”

The elevator doors slid shut behind us, trapping us inside the small, mirrored space.

Kayden leaned against the wall, immediately pushing himself off it and leaning against me instead.

I staggered under his weight, letting out a loud groan. “Jesus Christ, Kayden. You’re going to take me down.”

“I’m not that heavy.” His breathing was heavy, his lips forming into a pout. 

“You are, Kayden.” I smacked the back of his head, though playfully. “You’re built like a fucking refrigerator.”

“A handsome refrigerator?”

I bit the inside of my cheek. “Yes, Kayden. A very handsome refrigerator.”

He smiled. A slow, ridiculously pleased smile. “I knew you thought I was handsome,” he whispered—or he thought he did. But he might’ve as well screamed it for the whole world to hear. 

I snorted out a laugh. “I didn’t say that.”

“You did.”

“I absolutely did not.” I rolled my eyes and adjusted my arm around his waist when he began swaying again. “Can you please stand properly? You are leaning your entire body weight on me.”

“Because I like you,” he blurted.

My steps faltered for half a second.

Just how many times was he planning to say such nonsense in one night?

Kayden didn’t seem to notice that he’d caught me off guard, giving the fact that he was drunk. 

I cleared my throat, changing the topic. “You’re going to have a terrible headache in the morning, you know that? Maybe it’ll teach you not to overindulge in alcohol.”

“I hardly ever get headaches,” Kayden said. 

“Well, you’re going to get one,” I responded. 

“Nope,” he countered, popping the p.

“Yep,” I shot back, matching his playfulness.

“No.”

“Fine,” I rolled my eyes. “Whatever helps you sleep tonight.”

He turned to me. “You’re bossy. That’s what I like the most about you, Gabrielle.”

Again, this man’s words caused me to pause.

I almost laughed and gave a sarcastic response. Almost. But then his face suddenly changed, growing more pale, his eyes widening. 

“Oh, no.” My stomach dropped. “What’s wrong?”

Kayden swallowed. Once. Twice. And clutched me tighter.

“Don’t puke, Kayden. Please,” I pleaded. 

His cheeks hollowed and puffed as he fought whatever was happening in his stomach.

“Don’t you dare puke in this elevator.” I grabbed his arm, tugging him up as he attempted to hunch over.  He covered his mouth. My eyes widened. “Oh, God. Kayden.”

He made a muffled sound.

“No, no, no. Hold it.”

The elevator seemed to move slower than it ever had in my entire life.

“Come on,” I muttered, frantically pressing the button for our floor again as though that would somehow make the elevator move faster. “Just hold on for another few seconds.”

Kayden’s eyes squeezed shut and he groaned. “I don’t think I can.”

“Yes, you can.”

“I really don’t think I can. My stomach is killing me. I think I’m gonna die, Gabrielle.”

“Don’t be dramatic, you brought this upon yourself. So be a good boy and don’t make a mess in this elevator, I beg you.”

“What did I do so wrong?” Kayden pouted, his eyes getting glassy. “I was just celebrating.”

“Celebrating what?” I looked at him like he had grown two heads.

Because what really was he celebrating? Losing the game and causing a fight at the arena?

“My life of course.” He opened one eye. “Isn’t it right for me to celebrate my shitty life?”

“You are unbelievable.” I stared at him, my face contorting. The elevator finally chimed and doors opened. I practically dragged him out. “Come on.”

Kayden stumbled after me. “Slow down… I’m gonna puke if you don’t slow down…”

I groaned. “If you puke out here, I’ll make sure you clean it yourself, you piece of shit. Walk faster…”

“You hate me…” Kayden sniffled. “Everyone! My girlfriend hates me!”

“Kayden,” I whisper-yelled, glaring up at him. “If you don’t shut your mouth…”

We made it approximately five steps down the hallway before he stopped.

“What’s wrong now?” I breathed.

God help me, because I was this close to losing it.

He looked at me with complete seriousness. “I need to tell you something.”

I sighed. “What?”

He leaned closer. “You’re very pretty.”

Jesus Christ!

What was wrong with this man?

I blinked. “Thank you.”

“Really pretty.”

“Okay.”

“Like… really, really pretty.”

“I understand, Kayden.”

He nodded, grinning like the idiot he was. 

“Good,” he said, and then he gagged.

I grabbed his arm, tugging him forward. “Bathroom. Now.”

“Wait!” He snatched his arm from me.

I planted my face into my hand. “What now?”

“I think I love you.”

My heart gave one stupid little thump. I raised my face from my hand and locked eyes with him, my brows raised. 

Kayden blinked slowly. “Did you hear me? I said I think I love you.”

“You think?” I asked.

He shook his head. “I know for sure.”

Just as the words left his mouth, Kayden’s face grew paler than it was. His eyes widened, his cheeks swelling as he tightened his throat around a gag.

“Bathroom, bathroom…” I opened the door and shoved him inside, practically pushing him into the guest bathroom and shoving his head deep into the toilet.

And then he was puking his stomach out.