Out of Breath (Breathing, #3)(25)

‘Okay,’ he agreed, nodding slowly. He searched the bottles in front of him. ‘Uh, looks like I’m out of soda.’

‘Just vodka works,’ I muttered, trying to swallow. He handed me a plastic shot glass filled with a clear liquor and placed a lime on a napkin. The smell of it made my mouth salivate. ‘What’s this?’

‘Tequila,’ he answered slowly, like he was surprised I didn’t know.

I swallowed the liquor and bit into the lime, with a shudder.

‘Thanks.’ I took the cup and walked away, my knees quaking beneath me. I knew Cole and Nate were watching me. I started hyperventilating now that my back was to them. But no matter how quickly I drew in air, I was suffocating. I feared that I wouldn’t be able to gain control over the burning pain, and I couldn’t lose it here. I needed to calm the f*ck down. Fast.

I pushed my way up the stairs and into the house, bumping into people dancing, annoying everyone in my path until I arrived at the second bar.

‘Hi, Brent,’ I greeted.

He produced a dazzling smile. ‘Emma, my friend! How are you doing?’

‘Great,’ I answered. ‘Can I have a shot? Actually, would you like to do one with me?’

‘Sure,’ he accepted emphatically. ‘What did you have in mind?’

‘Your call.’ I tried to maintain a smile. Wanting to keep up my casual appearance, I took a sip of my drink, but was unable to hide the tremor that sloshed the vodka around as I raised the cup to my mouth.

Brent selected tequila as Nate had done, and poured us each a shot.

He raised the plastic shot glass and toasted, ‘To friendship.’ I swallowed it down without hesitation, sinking my teeth into the lime immediately afterwards to contain the cringing.

‘How about one more?’

He raised his eyebrows at my request, then shrugged. ‘Sure. Why not?’

This time, I raised my cup and toasted, ‘To yesterday.’ His eyes flickered in confusion, but he didn’t ask. I wouldn’t have explained if he had. I tried to suppress the shudder as the tequila passed down my throat.

‘Thanks, Brent. I’ll talk to you later.’

‘Wait,’ he called after me. But I kept walking like I didn’t hear him.

Cole was standing on the deck with a drink in each hand. He offered one of the cups to me without saying anything. We stood on the deck, watching the people below for a few songs.

‘Are you going to be all right?’ he finally asked.

I shook my head. He continued to stand by me in silence, glancing at me every so often without a word. I concentrated on breathing, dumping the contents of the cup he’d given to me into the one I already had. I took slow sips and waited.

And then my head began to swirl, and the numbness settled in over the winding fire. I closed my eyes, inviting the induced calm.

‘Emma!’ Peyton called to me, making me spin around, which was not such a good idea. I steadied myself with a hand on the railing.

She eyed Cole next to me and grinned widely, probably figuring we were talking again. Which technically wasn’t true.

‘Peyton!’ I hollered in return and grappled her into a hug.

‘Are you drunk?’ Peyton accused in shock.

‘I hope so,’ I responded, breathing deep through my nose, savouring the hum of nothingness.

‘Did you do this?’ Peyton asked Cole.

‘Nope.’ He shook his head, holding up his hands in defence.

‘Well, don’t do anything stupid,’ Peyton advised. ‘We’re getting another drink. Come find me.’ And just like that, she disappeared.

‘Where are you going?’ Cole called after her, but she was already lost in the crowd.

‘You don’t need to babysit me.’ I looked up at him. ‘I think I need another drink anyway.’ I looked down at my cup, which was still half full.

‘Really,’ Cole challenged.

‘Yup.’ I put the cup to my lips and drained the rest. ‘See?’ I tipped it towards him. Cole took a step to follow me as I started towards the inside bar. I turned to tell him not to come with me, but my ankle faltered slightly. I still wasn’t used to heels, even if they were wedges. ‘Stupid shoes.’

I bent down to try to unstrap them, but stumbled.

‘Need help?’ he offered.

Before I could answer, he squatted in front of me and unbuckled the sandals. I stepped out of them, relieved to have my feet flat on the ground. He stood up with the sandals swinging from his fingers. He looked so tall, all of a sudden.

‘Wow,’ I gawked. ‘You grew.’

‘Or you shrunk,’ he replied with a crooked grin. ‘Let’s go.’ He nodded towards the house.

I turned and examined the obstacle course between the deck and the bar across the room. There was a lot of movement with the dancing and arms swaying – it was going to take a lot of concentration. I took a deep breath in preparation.

Cole grabbed my hand, and I looked up at him in surprise.

‘You look like you could use some help.’

‘Yes, that I do. I definitely need help.’ Cole escorted me through the obstacles without incident, and I emerged on the other side unscathed. I considered raising my arms in victory, but he still had my hand, and I didn’t think he would join me.