You Never Call Me When You're Sober Novels & Stories

Some nights, the fear would completely dominate my mind, and I started to drink myself into oblivion, attempting to quiet my restless mind. I would always call her during my inebriated rampages, knowing that no matter how far off the edge I go, she’ll always be the only person to bring me back. When I called her one night at our usual time, and found out her phone was disconnected, I cried…I fucking balled like a damn child.

"It's 10 AM and you're drunk, how could you be this stupid mom, after everything I've done to get you sober!" I start feeling like answering the call might've been a mistake, whenever she calls it's nothing good, and now she's drunk, again. After all, I've done... the money... everything, and she's still doing the same shit she always did. "I don't want you to call me anymore, I can't keep doing this mom." Her hoarse laugh invades my ears as the sound of a glass smashing hits the floor from her side of the call. "Oh come off it Leo, I'm celebrating!"

His words echoed in my mind, demanding to be heard. "You can't keep running back whenever life gets hard," Aiden's voice echoed in my head. "Face your demons, and get sober. You have such a bright future in front of you, and you're throwing it away for what? Dope and drugs because you feel that you're not worthy of a great life?" The harshness of his words cut through me like a knife. How could he understand what I was going through? The pain, the guilt, the emptiness that I tried to fill with substances. It was my escape from a reality that I felt responsible for.

I guessed that he was calling to urge me to apologize to Doris in the group chat again. I did not want to answer the call, but the phone rang over and over, as Luke called me over seven times. I was still in the pack cleaning up work, so he called the phone there and the phone was brought to me. "Alpha Luke’s on the line. Seems urgent," the guard said, handing me the phone. I took in a deep breath and reluctantly answered the call. "What is it?" I asked coldly. The moment I picked up the call, Luke's angry voice scolded me over the phone. Someone would have thought I was a servant taking orders.

Until I hear the dial tone. Already it has been a week since the rut and another few weeks since I went back to our house to get my things. It’s funny how our dear ‘mother’ never bothered to contact us after I sent her the text about… The shrill ringtone pulls me out of my thoughts. I glare at the screen before swiping to answer. “Why did you call?” her voice comes high-pitched but her words are slurred. Ah, a classic of this woman to never be sober for a single minute of the day.

Always after your pants. I wanna be far from him. He's trouble in disguise and he was part of the reason I got stuck in some cocktail rubbish. If I didn't agree to drink that, I would be at home , sleeping in my room in peace and not getting grounded and reminded countless times how I messed up in Georgia. I remembered my drunk state last night , I can't believe I called him hot. I mean he's hot , but a normal Ariel won't call someone hot. My phone dings again. One new message.

“Currently working on it with whiskey, but still working on it.” “Call me tomorrow. When you’re sober. We’ll talk.” “I will.” Cameron was heading back with two large glasses of water. “I should go. My babysitter is returning.” “Take care of yourself. I mean it.” “I’ll try.” I ended the call just as Cameron slid back into the booth. He pushed a water glass toward me. “Drink. Doctor’s orders.” “You’re not a doctor.” “Drink anyway.” I obeyed, the cold water shocking after the burn of whiskey. My head was already starting to hurt.

And then my mother’s words, sharp and cutting, telling me I’m nothing but a failure. I down another drink, and then another. The edge starts to blur, the sharp corners of my thoughts softening just enough to breathe. My phone vibrates on the counter. I ignore it. It vibrates again. And again. I glance at the screen. Scarlett. “Goddamn it,” I mutter, letting it ring. But she doesn’t stop. Call after call, the screen lighting up over and over until I finally grab the phone and answer. “What?” I snap, the alcohol making my voice rougher than I mean it to be.

The person at the edge of the pool finally spoke up. “You’ve offended somebody you shouldn’t have. That person has sent me to torment you.” Before I could say anything, I was tossed back into the water. It happened many times. Every time I felt like I was about to drown, I was lifted out of the water. Finally, I was left on the ground as my tormentor made a phone call. “It’s done, boss.” I could hear Connor on the other end of the line. “Leave immediately. I’ll deal with the rest of it.”

And the bond is already stronger than I thought. Fucking mess. Clearing my throat, I pick up my phone, texting the idiot. Don’t call him an idiot, the small voice protests, tugging at my heart. Fine. ‘Make sure you show up sobered and showered. I don’t want a drunkard to befoul my offices.’