Chapter 4 - Presley

I think I may have made a mistake. Throwing up all over my favourite bedding this morning may have been the clue to tell me to stay away from alcohol for a few days… ‘Or forever!’ Shira, my wolf said with a giggle. My wolf liked to tease me for the lack of tolerance to alcohol I had, much like my friends did. I was somewhat of an anomaly when it came to werewolves for that trait. We were meant to have a higher tolerance to alcohol. Hell, if anything mine was lower…

But, here we were, in our favourite sports bar, drinking once again. More than anything it was to support Zaine. He had been one of my best friends since that first week of college, and had been there ever since. He was certainly up there as one of the most admired men in college, but I don’t think I looked at him like that.Yes, he was handsome, but he was just Zaine to me. A pain in the ass, who liked to laugh at me… and had a habit of saving me from my messes I inexplicably found myself in. Him and Arlo, his friend. It was a good job I had them, or else my brother, Jace would have been here far too often to save my ass, and I would likely have been pulled out of college.

“You feeling drunk yet pukey Pres?” Zaine teased, as he downed the remainder of his beer, looking down to me with a smile. His big brown eyes full of mischief. A side of him I loved.

I turned my gaze to his. His brown eyes met mine, and there was amusement looking back at me. “You are not funny.” I warned him, only causing the grin upon his face to spread. He loved to tease me. Finding things to tease me about, as much as I did to him. It was how we were. Always laughing.

‘I don’t know I think that name is pretty ingenious.’ Shira giggled. Trust my wolf to agree. I was beginning to think she was drunk too...

“Oh, you know that I am. I am hilarious." Zaine stuck his tongue out at me, before grinning. Anyway, I don't feel drunk enough to forget yet, so are you ready for another round?” He asked, waving at the woman behind the bar, who nodded at him, clearly understanding his request. We were regualars in here, and Zaine was popular with most of the bar girls. They likely knew his order off by heart too...

“Drinking your bad thoughts away?” I questioned, dropping my head to my arms, which were laid across the table, and Zaine smiled down at me. I wasn't sure this was the best way of dealing with the situation with his Dad if I was honest, but I wanted to be supportive. He had done that for me often enough. Now it was my turn. And, if that meant getting drunk, then so be it... I would have to deal with the consequences later. Or Zaine would, when he was cleaning up my mess...

I snuggled my head a little closer into my arms getting comfortable, hoping Zaine may talk to me about what was bothering him, instead he made me jump as he begun to talk.“Aww, Presley, please tell me we are not three drinks down and you are going to fall asleep upon me? It is barely gone dinner time, it is not nap time, old lady.” He ruffled my hair affectionately. “I could do with a friend right now.”

His words took me by surprise. His playful insults did not bother me, I was used to them. But, that did not sound like Zaine. Well, the insults did, but him actually admitting to needing a friend. That sounded like he was almost admitting he was struggling...

He was always so confident. So cocky. Brave. He was an upcoming Alpha after all. An all round great guy. Nothing seemed to phase him. But this sounded like he was in doubt. Something was on his mind, and he needed me. I sat myself back up. I needed to be there for him. I needed to wake myself up. I did not want to fail him. Not when he was always there for me.

“What is wrong, Zee?” I asked, resting my head upon his shoulder so my eyes were near his, and he laughed.

“You are making me cross-eyed Pres, that is what is wrong.” He eased back a little so we could see one another straight as the bar girl brought across a tray with two more beers and a round of shots too. I tentatively eyed the drink as she placed them upon our table and sighed. This was not going to end well…

“Thanks. Can you make it a coffee too please?” I asked, and the girl smiled.

“Sure thing, princess.” She winked. I was used to being called that. Having Zaine rushing around after me since orientation week had earned me that title. Zaine was very selective in the women who gained his attention, but it did not mean there were not many vying for his attention. And when that attention was not well recieved, it could result in some jealousy. Jealousy that me, as his friend, was often at the receiving end of. Going off the look given to me by the bar girl, this could well be one of those occasions... Ah well… it was me that had the big, strong Alpha at my side.

“Coffee?” Zaine chuckled. "That to keep you awake so you got the energy to be up there dancing with me in a little while?" He teased, and I simply shook my head. I was defintiely not dancing with him. Last time I did that he had video footage...

There was a smile upon my friend's face that told me he was likely remembering the exact same thing. "You said you needed a friend, so I want to be a friend." I ruffled the curls of his deep brown hair. "And a good friend would not be falling asleep on you when you needed her."

Zaine was smiling again. "Pres, if you are tired, or have drunk too much, falling asleep just happens. That doesn't change you being a good friend, you weirdo." He rolled his eyes playfully with a shake of his head. "I do wonder about you sometimes you know." He adds, just as his phone begun to ring from the space it sat upon the table. His whole body language changed in an instant. His shoulders sagging as his eyes met the screen.

I looked down and saw the name ’Dad’ across the screen. The call he had been waiting for. But seemingly dreading looking at his response. “I need to take this, Pres. I am heading outside.” He took the phone and with a desolate look upon his face my friend is walking away from me. I have no clue what his father is wanting to talk to him about, but given how it has filled Zaine with dread, I know it can't be good…