Page 27 of Darkness and Duress

Miracle of all miracles, the atomic bomb Marco reached out for me and followed me like a gentle giant without a care in the world except for holding my hand down the street, into the parking garage, and to the car. He even let me buckle him in. I had to get my head checked because the second he conked out and snort-snored, I think I fell ass over tea kettle in love with him.

Chapter Thirteen

Marco

“Come on, big guy.”

God, his voice was so fucking irritating. Why the fuck was he ruining my nap when I wasso fucking tired? Didn't he know how tired I was? The stupid fucker knew everything else about me, so he must know that, too. I batted at him and failed—his grip was surprisingly strong around my wrist. Or maybe I was just that tired.

“Nice try, but we’re not getting kinky in the car when you can't even keep your eyes open. Up, Marc. We’re almost there.” The hand around my wrist tugged and I moved with the motion despite wanting to stay right where I was. Every muscle felt like Jello. My brain felt like soup. Soup would be good right about now. Jello, too. Tight arms around my torso slowed the spinning spiraling swirl.

“Jesus fuck, man. You weigh a fucking ton. Use your fucking legs for two God damn seconds.”

My back hit cold metal and I let my head roll with the motion until it thunked against something hard. Good enough. I could sleep here, probably.

“For fuck’s sake…”

I let my head loll toward the sound of his too-loud voice. He had a nice voice. Too much swearing, but it was funny sometimes.

“Luca, please tell me you're in the city.”

Huh. I didn't hear Luca. Why was Bran talking so loud?

“Thank fuck. Come to the garage. I can't get your dumb fuck brother upstairs alone.”

Okay, rude. I tried to lift my arm, tried to punch him in his dumb fuck mouth, but it was too hard when I wasso fucking tired. My hand connected with something soft and warm, so I settled for holding on to keep the tilt-o-whirl ride from knocking me over. Man, I loved the tilt-o-whirl ride. And the loopy coasters. Maybe I'd join a traveling carnival. Yeah, that sounded awesome.

“M’gonna buy… rolly coasster.” I pawed at the soft warmth and mumbled more words.

“Right. Okay. You do that, baby.” Warm hands pressed into my cheeks. Not warm. Hot. His hands were so hot and it feltso fucking good. “Marc, hey. Stay with me. You can sleep in a minute.”

“Yeaahh. S'nice. Ssleepover. Alwayss wanted… when you’n’Luca’d… shoulda ‘nvited me.”

“Holy fuck, what the hell did you guys get up to?”

Hey, that was my little bro. Man, were we really gonna have a sleepover? Fuck, that's so cool. I was always so fucking jealous of them as kids.

“Him. It was all him, courtesy of seven shots of liquor in about seven fucking minutes. I'm surprised he's still conscious… barely.”

Brandon. Bran. I leaned toward his voice. Or maybe that was gravity making me move? Fuck that bitch. So tired.

“Shit, Marc!”

“Marco!”

“Come on, baby.”

Too much touching. Too much. Too… much…

“Dude, no. We gotta call Ma.”

“Shut up, Luca. We aren't calling your mom. Do you think he wants her to find out like this?”

Whoosh. Whoosh. Whoosh. Fuck, everything was so loud. Too loud. Why was the world spinning so bad? Why was it so hard to breathe? Why were they yelling?

“I don't give a fuck what he wants, Henny! That shit is no joke and I don't know if you can mix it with liquor.”

“So fucking Google it!” The rattle of pills in plastic bottles hitting the ground blasted through my skull like bombs detonating. Like gunshots. So fucking loud. My voice was even louder as I groaned. Why was everything so fucking hard?

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