Page 84 of Even Ground

“Come on, dude. Let’s go home.” Josh lays a hand on my arm.

“I think I might stay and have a few more drinks.”

Delaney nudges my other elbow. “Come with us and I’ll make mac and cheese for lunch tomorrow. You can have a whole dish for yourself.”

“Really? I’d go anywhere for your mac and cheese.” I smile. This is why she’s perfect. She knows the way to my heart is through my stomach. So does Pania. Pania.

I want more than just friendship with her.

I want her.

Swallowing hard, I look at Josh. “I think I’m in love.”

“Sure you are. Let’s get you back to our place.”

I sit between them on the limo ride home. Not that I remember much of the journey.

The cool night air bites when Josh helps me out onto the steps at the front of their house, and I’m not even sure how we make it upstairs.

Josh supports me, as I’m a bit loose on my feet. Reaching the bed, he pushes me onto it and shakes his head as I kick off my shoes and let them drop to the floor.

“We won. Come here you gorgeous hunk of a man and give me a hug.” I lurch for him.

Josh laughs. “Now I know you’ve had too much to drink.”

“Not enough if you ask me.”

“Get some sleep. I’m going to go to bed with my wife. Sleep it off and she’ll cook whatever you want tomorrow, I’m sure. I’m just glad you’re here and safe.”

I undo the top button of my shirt. “We won.”

“We did. Get some sleep.”

He walks to the door, flicking off the light before he walks out and closes the door behind him. I pull my phone out of my jacket pocket, then strip off the rest of my clothes, throwing them on the floor before climbing into bed and pulling the blanket over me.

I pick up the phone and squint at the bright light.

Me: I wish you were here. We won … everything. I fucking miss you.

I toss the phone down beside me on the bed and close my eyes to try and stop the room from spinning. Tonight would have been so much better with Pania here. She’s buried deep inside me now, and I don’t know if she wants something more serious, but I know one thing for sure.

I do.

* * *

“You know, if it wasn’t my house, I’d throw a bucket of water over you to wake you up.” Delaney’s voice breaks through my dreams, and I reluctantly open one eye.

She places a tray on the bedside cabinet, and I moan at the scent of pancakes.

“Take it easy on me. I’m delicate.”

The sound of her laughter penetrates my brain. “You’re hungover, that’s what you are. I brought painkillers.”

I open my other eye, wincing as my head thuds. “You’re an angel.”

The bed sinks as she sits on the edge, and I push myself up to grab the tray. Perfectly cooked pancakes are piled high on the plate, and there are side dishes of butter, syrup, and bacon. Two small pills sit beside the large mug of coffee.

“Thank you.”

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