Page 40 of Tiers of Joy

I sit back down. Wiping my tears away I drink more vodka. I ignore the sympathetic gazes I'm getting. Eloise leaves me to it and I curl myself into a ball, hugging the vodka bottle. I close my eyes.

“Forever and always Jay.” I mumble.

I feel myself being moved and I jolt awake.

“It’s okay sweetie, Gaige is taking you home.” Eloise soothes.

“Put me down.” I demand.

“What and watch you fall on your ass and hurt yourself? Not a chance.” Gaige answers as he carries me.

I huff.

“Why did you call him? You’re a traitor Eloise. He will probably dump me in a ditch and leave me for dead. He hates me.” I yell back.

“Shut up.” He snaps.

He dumps me in the passenger seat and puts my seatbelt on for me. Walking around he jumps in and starts up his truck to drive me back to the shop.

I feel my stomach roll.

“Gaige pull over, I'm going to be sick.” I gag. He slams the truck to the side of the road and I practically fall out onto the floor and start throwing up. Gaige rubs my back soothingly and makes sure my hair is out of my face.

“Oh god. I think I threw up a lung.” I groan.

“Here, sip some water. Rinse your mouth out.” Gaige hands me a bottle of water and I rinse my mouth out. He helps me back into the truck. I rest my head against the window, feeling my eyes start to close.

I wake up and it’s the middle of the night. When I open my eyes I don’t recognise where I am. I start to panic. I turn and see Gaige asleep next to me, topless. Did we sleep together?! I lift the cover slowly and peek under the covers: he has bottoms on. I'm desperate for the toilet but I'm only in my underwear and I have no idea where the bathroom is. I slowly creep out of bed and tip toe out of the room in search of the bathroom.

After opening a few doors I eventually find it. I do my business then decide to search for my clothes and get the hell out of here. I creep back into the room and try to hunt for my clothes in complete darkness. As I creep forward my foot catches on something and I go flying and land on the floor with a thud. The light comes on and a sleepy looking Gaige stands over me.

“Hi.” I smile. I’m almost curled into a foetal position to try and cover my modesty.

“What are you doing?” He asks.

“Trying to find my clothes so I can go home.” I state.

“You’re not going home. Come back to bed.” He states.

“Err, Gaige, I am going home. I want to go home to my bed and take some painkillers and sleep.” I argue back.

“I put pain killers and water next to you. I'm not driving you home at 3am. It’s snowing heavily and I’m tired so just get your ass back to bed so I can sleep.” He sighs.

I look out of the window and see the snow falling rapidly. I sigh and get up.

“Fine.” I grumble.

“But keep your hands to yourself.” I warn.

“I will try.” He answers sarcastically.

I take the painkillers and drink some water. Feeling dehydrated I drink the lot.

I curl up and tuck the cover around me so I'm not touching him in anyway. I lay in bed listening to Gaige’s breathing and waiting for him to fall asleep.

“Go to sleep Esme.” He murmurs.

“Don’t tell me what to do.” I snap.

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