Page 55 of Embracing Trust

I wrinkle my nose at the off-tune attempt.

“Country karaoke night,” Brad chuckles. “Yeehaw,” he deadpans.

Even though these goofs got me out of bed in the middle of the night, my irritation is short-lived. I shake my head. “Looks like everyone had a good time.”

“Where do you want him?” Brad asks as he nods his head toward Ryan.

“Just let him crash in my bed.”

Ryan looks happy to see me. “Hi, Jules! Wanna do some shots?” He gets right up in my face as the guys pass me in the hallway. I wrinkle my nose and take a step back. He smells like he’s been bathing in tequila.

I scowl. “No thanks. I think it’s your bedtime.”

“Get in here then. I’ll let you take my clothes off.”

Brad and Isaac plop Ryan down on my bed.

“Lay down, buddy,” Brad says as he pulls off Ryan’s shoes and tosses them aside. Isaac lifts the shirt over Ryan’s head.

“Hey, I’m not talking to you, chump,” Ryan says as he gives Isaac a poke in the chest.

Isaac shakes his head and grins. “Night-night-time,” he sing-songs.

Brad unsnaps and unzips Ryan’s pants, pulls them down, and tosses them on the pile of Ryan’s other clothing on my bedroom floor.

“No man should ever undress me. Especially not a handsome guy like you,” Ryan says with a slur. He reaches up to wrap his arms around Isaac.

Isaac removes the death grip Ryan has on him. “Yeah, yeah. Time for sleep, man.”

Brad and Isaac pull back the covers and help Ryan into my bed. His head hits the pillow with a thud and his blurry eyes try focusing on me.

“You think I can’t fuck when I’m drunk. Get in this bed and I’ll show you how it’s done.”

“Close your eyes and get some sleep,” I say as I rub Ryan’s forehead.

Isaac, Brad, and I walk out to my living room to find Mark and Kevin asleep on my couch.

“They look awfully peaceful there, Jules. Sure you don’t want a trio for the night?” Brad puts his arm around me and squeezes me.

I chuckle and hug him back. “No thanks. One is enough.”

His voice turns serious. “Hey, thanks for letting him stay here.”

“No problem. I’ll send his brother a text in the morning.”

They’re able to get Mark and Kevin awake enough to help them out to Isaac’s car.

“Where’s Mark staying?”

Isaac shakes his head with a grin. “At my house.”

“Drive safely,” I say as they load the guys into Isaac’s car. I close the front door and lock it as their car pulls away.

When I return to my bedroom, Ryan has the covers kicked off and is laying on top of them in his underwear. His eyes squint and he studies me when I sit next to him.

“Looks like you had some fun tonight.”

“I know you think I can’t get it up when I’m drunk.”

---