Chapter 20

I couldn't breathe. My mind was spinning and I felt like the room was closing in on me. The conversation that Mel and my parents were having, seemed to wither down to a low rumbling echo, that was reaching me from underwater. I felt Evan's hand squeeze my own. He was my anchor in that moment, keeping me from slipping down into darkness.

"Rox?"

I heard his whisper in my ear, and I jolted slightly, turning to face him. My eyes stung as tears threatened to spill. All surrounding sound seemed to rush back to me at once. Along with the pounding of my heart and the pain of a breath that I hadn't allowed to come.

"Rox?"

I saw the overjoyed expressions on my sister and my parent's faces as she twirled in her dress and they supplied her with accessories from neighbouring shelves. The heartache and sadness within me began to be pushed aside by a burning fury. I tightened my grip on Evan's hand and faced him once more.

"Ninety-nine percent."

He looked bemused for all of a second before leaping to his feet and pulling me with him, shouting behind him to Mel.

"Just remembered I've got to go, you look great by the way, really pulling off that 'loo roll lady' look," We got nearer to the door, Evan shoved me through it, turning around fully, to look at them, "And the Christmas wedding, great idea, everyone puts on some extra weight around then, you'll fit right in with that! See ya!"

Out on the street he reappeared at my side, his parting shot at Mel's dress had made me laugh. A low blow and semi childish sure, but he cared that I was hurt, and with Mel's smugness he wanted to ensure that someone got a small kick in there on my behalf. Anyway, with her huge ego, such a comment wouldn't even make a dent.

"Come here Rox." He pulled me against him once we'd put enough distance between us and the store, wrapping me in his arms and squeezing me tight.

A few tears rolled down my cheek. I knew the wedding would be coming, I knew that meant there would have to be a date. But the date being just a few months away, it just made it a hundred times more real.

"Right, that's it, we are going out and we are going to get plastered."

I choked out a small laugh, that was still half a sob.

"Ev, we've both got work tomorrow."

He picked up his phone and tapped out a text, then took mine and did the same.

"Not anymore." He smirked, tucking his phone back into his pocket and handing mine back. "So, lets go get drunk."

He didn't even wait for me to reply, grabbing hold of my hand and pulling me along the street.

We found a bar away from our usual haunts. The outside looked like a simple place, black signs with simple white lettering. As we entered it was entirely different, like rock meets dive bar kind of atmosphere. It was lively, loud rock music blared from the jukebox in the corner, and a group of men were drinking and cheering whilst they played pool on the other side of the room. Me and Evan went straight for the bar, and he ordered in a round of shots, we downed them right away.

"Keep 'em coming." Evan said to the barman.

The guy nodded and lined up another round.

Many, many drinks later, and I'd forgotten all about the wedding crap. I was sitting on Evan's lap whilst we chatted away to the group of men playing pool. We laughed and joked and set up a new game, me and Ev against them. As the drinks kept flowing and we kept playing, we got steadily worse for wear. I was enjoying the time with Evan, it was unusual for us both to ignore the idea of finding someone to spend the night with but tonight, there was no temptation. Tonight he was here for me only.

When the final bell rang for closing, Evan ordered a taxi. As the entire bar full of people began to leave, we made our way to the waiting car, jumping inside and away from the bar.

It was too bright, my eyes were stinging at the overwhelming glare of the rising sun. I went to move, when my head spun. I silently cursed for drinking as much as I did last night. But I was glad that the alcohol had at least dulled some of the pain, even if it was only for the short time that it was. I knew once the alcohol had left my system and I'd gone back to the world, the pain of knowing Sean would be lost to me in just a few months, would hit hard once again. I groaned, pulling the duvet up and over my face shielding myself from the bright light, and wrapping myself into the warm bedding, it was then that I noticed the scent on the sheets. It wasn't my bed I was sleeping in. I breathed in the familiar woody scent and leant back, feeling the hard form of a body behind me.

Evan.

"Who put the light on?" He groaned pulling the duvet closer.

"My guess? I'd say scientists. They come up with a whole bunch of horrors these days."

"So I can blame them for this hellish hangover too then?"

"Nah, I think that's all on us." I sighed, stretching my arms.

I winced as my eyes began to water when I finally blinked them open.

"I can't accept that. You'll have to take the blame. I'm too wounded." He sounded like a sulking little boy as he pouted, throwing his arm over his head.

"I don't remember having to force you to drink."

"You got more than me then, I don't remember fuck all after that dude bet I couldn't drink those three pints in under a minute."

"Well you couldn't."

I faced him and he smirked at me, his eyes opening slightly in an adorably sleepy way.

"Nope, but I got three free pints, and that was the point."

I laughed, triggering him to as well, something both of us regretting, groaning as our heads thudded at the effects of the alcohol.

"I need food." I muttered

Evan nodded slightly in agreement and clamped his eyes shut again. I glanced around his room, it was just as tidy as always, clean and minimalistic, but neat and tidy too. Perfect bachelor pad. I yawned and glanced back to Evan who seemed to be drifting off to sleep again. I reached over and shook his arm. He didn't even budge. Figuring that it wasn't strong enough, I pushed against his shoulder. Without warning, he rolled and the two combined moves, sent him tumbling over the edge of the bed, landing on the floor at the side of the bed.

"What the hell was that for Rox?" He said, laying in a heap on the floor. I poked my head over the side, my head spinning at the sudden movement.

Even though it hurt, I couldn't stop myself from laughing at him, laying twisted in a sheet, splayed on the floor in his boxers.

"I would get you back for that, but I don't think I can move yet."

His voice was muffled as his face pressed into his carpet.

"Here."

I reached out my hand, he rolled over and took hold of it, letting me pull him up, before I could get him up from the floor, he pulled me forward and I landed on top of him in a bundle.

"Ugh, you're such an asshole."

His body vibrated with laughter against mine.

"You say that like it's news darlin."

I rolled off him, landing on my back on the carpet, feeling the soft fibres against my skin.

"I need coffee and food."

"Good idea, I could do with some too." His tone was playful, and he gave me his cheeky smile.

"Fine, but first, I need clothes." I looked down at my near naked body, my purple lace underwear the only thing I was wearing. I felt around me, then sat up to look at the bed. "Where are my clothes?"

"Isn't that your top, on the lamp?" Evan asked with a laugh.

I looked to where he was pointing and sure enough, my top was hanging from the lampshade.

"Yep, there it is. Now I just need my skirt."

"Fuck it, just grab one of my shirts."

"Good idea." I muttered, climbing to my feet. I pulled one of Evan's shirts from his wardrobe and pulled it over my body. Walking across the room, I noticed my phone light flashing. Crossing over, I noticed I had three missed calls and a bunch of messages. Every single one of them was from the same person... Sean.