Drunk in the club

Ross's house wasn't anything spectacular. It wasn't huge, but it wasn't small either. The house was a light blue with awful bright red shutters that stood out even in the darkness. The reason why Ross's house was perfect for parties was the location.

The driveway was long and far away from the road. His entire property was surrounded by tress, no neighbors in sight. The yard was spacious and always well-kept. The parties here could get wild without the worry of the cops showing up because it was so far away from everything. It was secluded in its own small area, so when Ross's parents were away, it was party central.

The entire student body headed here after the we won the game. Hudson's throwing was nearly perfect, completing all but two passes.  Hudson was on his A-game tonight, creating an upward momentum for the rest of the season. There was no doubt in my mind that he was good enough to play wherever he wanted for college.

"Here you’re Liam!" Ross shouted as soon as I entered in the room. "Yeah. Just need a drink immediately. " I replied, feeling withdrawn. Ross looked me over noticing my blasé demeanor. "Arguing with Rose again? "

" Is it that obvious? " I lied, slumping down on the stool.

"You forget who you talking to! Of course it looks obvious." He spoke, thinking it was funny but  I glared at him and he lowered his voice. "Yeah you need a drink. What do you want? "

"Vodka on the rocks. " I replied quickly. I needed something strong.

He just shook his head at my request. I know he probably wanted to comment, but knew I wouldn't have given a fuck if he did. "Drink responsibly." He placed the glass in front of me.

I grabbed the glass, and began to take sips of the strong alcohol. The burning sensation I felt as it went down my throat was all too familiar for me. The music in the building turned up signaling the party people were about to start coming in, more students.

It started to become more noisy in here but I didn't mind. With all the shit going on with me I needed a distraction. 

Pete sat next to me and started to make out with a cheerleader who was in his lap but I didn’t care. I wasn’t interested in girls at all that’s why I didn’t even tell Rose, that I was coming here.

Ross sat on a chair across from us, looking down at his phone, no doubt trying to ignore Pete and his girl.

The only thing Ross did was to pass me vodkas. I had lost count of how many drinks I had, but I knew that I was past drunk. The drunk moods I had varied. I didn't think there was much I could do to control them.

Sometimes I was a fun drunk, dancing around, making out with girls who threw themselves on me, and having a good time. Other times I was a funny drunk, being so out of it that I had no idea what was going on. Tonight I was more of a moody drunk, swallowing my sorrows out of a solo cup.

"I'm getting another drink," I slurred, placing a hand on Ross's shoulder. Ross looked up at his phone. "Are you sure you should have more?"

"I'm fine Ross!" I exclaimed, trying to sound excited. "Don't worry about me!"

I stumbled off away from the patio to go back inside. In the kitchen, I found other teammates Tony, Rick Nathan, and Ross's cousin Christo. I was surprised to find the four of them mingling considering Christo was a Knight. I was sure Ross and his cousin got along fine, the two of them not involving themselves in the rivalry when it concerned the other, but I didn't expect Nathan to willingly hang around Christo. Not to mention, I had seen Christo hanging out with Hudson, my biggest enermy.

"Fill me up," I ordered, shoving my cup into Nathan's chest.

"I think you've had enough," Someone told me sternly, throwing my cup in the trash.

"Get him a glass of water right now", I knew that voice from somewhere. I looked over then my eyes fall on Hudson himself. "What's your problem bastard?" I ask, speech slurring like.

Hudson didn’t flinch at the insult. If anything, his jaw tightened just slightly, eyes sharpening as they took me in, my unsteady stance, the way my fingers twitched like I was ready to fight the counter itself.

“My problem?” he echoed calmly. “You’re about two drinks past making sense.” He added.

“Oh, don’t start acting like you care,” I snapped, trying and failing to square my shoulders. “Since when do you get to decide that?”

Nathan hesitated, awkward as hell, already reaching for a glass of water anyway. Tony and Rick exchanged a look, the kind that said this is about to get messy. Christo leaned back against the fridge, arms crossed, watching like this was entertainment.

Hudson stepped closer and I moved a slight step back. “Since you almost dropped that cup on your own foot.”

I laughed, harsh and humorless. “Wow. Hero moment. You gonna carry me to bed next?”

Nathan shot me a warning look. “Liam..”

“Stay out of it,” I cut in, pointing vaguely in his direction before my hand wobbled and dropped. My head felt heavy, full of static and too many thoughts I didn’t want. “He doesn’t get to swoop in and play savior. Not him.” I spoke to Nathan then turned to Hudson. “Don’t flatter yourself,” I snapped at him then headed for the stairs, heart pounding way too hard for a simple kitchen confrontation.

I was drunk so hard the stairs felt like they weren’t  under my feet, rising, dipping, daring me to misstep. I grabbed the railing, fingers slick with sweat, and laughed under my breath because if I didn’t, I might actually lose it right there.

I barely made it halfway up when the world lurched hard to the left. My foot missed the edge of the step, and suddenly the stairs weren’t under my feet anymore, they were trying to swallow me whole.

“Whoa..”

Strong hands caught me before I could hit the ground.

“Jesus, Liam,” Hudson muttered, grip firm around my arm and shoulder as he hauled me back against his chest.

“Get..off,” I slurred, trying to shove him away, except my body didn’t listen. My head lolled back instead, bumping lightly against his collarbone. “I’m fine.”

“Yeah,” he said dryly.

I heard voices below us, laughter, someone shouting over the music but Hudson didn’t hesitate. He wrapped an arm around my waist like he’d done this before, steering me back down the stairs despite my weak protest.

“What are you doing?” I demanded, words sticking together. “I told you, don’t... don’t play hero.”

“I’m not,” he replied, already navigating us through the crowded living room. People parted as we passed, a few whistles and raised brows following us. Someone called Hudson’s name but he ignored her.

Cold air hit my face as he shoved the front door open, the night sobering and cruel all at once. I sucked in a breath, the world tilting again.

“You’re coming with me,” he said. “No,” I protested weakly. “Party. Ross’s. I’m fine.”

He stopped dead on the porch and finally looked at me, really looked with his jaw was tight and eyes dark. “You’re barely standing. You’re not fine. And I’m not leaving you here like this.”

I scoffed, though it came out more like a hiccup. “Since when do you care?”

He stared at me for a long second, then shook his head. “Get in the car.”

“Hudson..”

“I’m driving you home,” he said, cutting me off. “You can yell at me about it tomorrow.”

“I don’t need...” I tried to pull away again, but my legs betrayed me, knees buckling slightly.

That was it.

Hudson swore under his breath and tightened his hold, practically lifting me as he guided me down the porch steps and toward his truck parked at the edge of the long driveway.

That’s all I noticed before my mind blacked out.