With me and Iz sitting on either side of Patrick in the cab, I rubbed my hands through his hair to soothe him. I knew he would be feeling it tomorrow. That’s what I didn’t like about drink. I hated the hangovers the next day. Most of the time I would just have one beer and babysit it the entire night. I also didn’t really like the taste. Some beers were okay, but for the most part I liked drinking wine. I guess you could call me a “wino.” I always had a box of wine in my fridge. Not only did it taste good, but in the end it was cheaper than buying a bottle.
Hearing Patrick moan and groan, I whispered, “It’s okay, we’re almost to your apartment,” and continued to rub his head. I couldn’t believe how drunk he’d gotten. I didn’t even know he’d drank that much. We had hung out most of the night, but I also wanted to hang out with Ash as well. I wanted to thank her for setting me up with Patrick. I was having a lot of fun up until I saw Patrick stumbling over to me. He almost fell to the floor, but thankfully I’d grabbed him by the waist and held him to me. That’s when I knew it was time for us to leave.
Iz was sweet enough to help me get Patrick back to his apartment. She knew where he lived—I didn’t. I realized the cab was slowing down and then coming to a stop. I saw Iz pulling money out of her purse but I stopped her.
“Iz, I’ve got it,” I said as I started to pull my wallet out of my back pocket.
Smiling at me, she said, “Thanks, Derr,” and tried to wake Patrick up. I knew it was going to be no use. I’d have to carry him to his apartment. After paying the driver, I opened my car door and started to pull Patrick to my side. Iz walked on over to my side and helped me get Patrick up. Bending down, I carried him on my shoulder up to his apartment.
Iz told me on the ride over that he lived in an apartment above his grandparents and that she was going to be moving in soon. I knew there was a story, but I didn’t ask.
Walking up the stairs to his door, I bent over so Iz could get his keys out of his back pocket. Once she opened the door, I walked in. “Which way to his bedroom?”
“Just keep walking back and it’s the door on the left,” she said. I caught glimpses of his apartment on the way. It wasn’t big by any means, but it was comfortable for two people. Hearing little footsteps behind me, I stopped and waited for Iz to open his door. I thanked her then walked in and very carefully laid him down on his bed. I knew he’d be suffering tomorrow from a headache, so I didn’t want to add more problems to that.
Standing back up, I looked down at Patrick. Even drunk off his ass, passed out, he was still a beautiful man. I had gotten a bit caught up in his appearance when I heard Iz walk over to the other side and place a bottle of water and some aspirin within easy reach.
I grabbed the little garbage can in the corner of his room and placed it by his bed. Looking over at Iz, I asked, “Are you going to stay the night?”
“Yeah, I guess.” She smiled. “Thanks, Derr.”
I nodded. “Anytime. I had a lot of fun tonight.”
“It seemed like you really like Derrick.”
“Yeah, we did.” I hesitated. “Well, good night, Iz.”
“Good night, Derr.”
I’d just reached the door when I heard Patrick. “Stay.”
Turning around, I saw Patrick’s glossy eyes staring at me. Looking at Iz, I said, “I guess I’ll stay and you can go, Iz.”
Nodding, Iz looked down at Patrick. “Well, get better, hotass,” she said as she leaned down to kiss him on the cheek.
After she left the room, I walked over to Patrick. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
Leaving Patrick’s room, I saw Iz sitting on the couch, holding a bottle of water, waiting for a taxi. Grabbing one from the fridge for myself, I sat down next to Iz. “It seemed like you two really hit it off tonight?”
I started to nod my head but realized she wasn’t looking at me, so I said, “Yeah.”
Turning to look at me, Iz smiled and said, “I’m glad. You two looked like you were having some fun.”
Nodding my head this time, I said, “Yeah, I really like him, Iz.”
Smiling at me she said, “I’m glad,” and then the doorbell rang, signaling Iz’s ride was here.
“Well, I guess I better get going, then.”
Standing up from the couch I walked Iz to the door.
Leaning up, Iz kissed me on the cheek and said, “Take care of the hot mess, will ya?”
Chuckling, I said, “Yeah, I will.”
“All right, well, I’ll talk to you two tomorrow, I guess.”
“Definitely,” I said, waiting for Iz to get in the taxi before I closed the door. Locking it, I then walked back to Patrick’s room to check on him. I decided to take off his shoes so he was a little more comfortable and then covered him up with the blanket.
I turned to leave his room and then I heard, “Please stay.”
I saw Patrick sitting up in bed. His hair was all disheveled and his eyes were half closed. With my hand on the knob, I uttered, “I am staying.”
Shaking his head, he asked, “Will you stay in here with me?”
My body responded before I could even think about the consequences. I walked over to his bed. “Yes,” I whispered. I saw the biggest, lopsided smile come across his face. I knew that instant the choice I had made was all worth it.