Page 44 of Bittersweet Legacy

“Okay, we’re done here.” he huffed, standing between Caleb and me.

I couldn’t help but grimace at the strong whiff of alcohol coming from his breath, he was much drunker than he looked.

Caleb arched an eyebrow in surprise, I doubted he was used to my brother denying him anything. I filed this information in my brain for later.

Archie turned toward me. “I told you to stay home,” he spat.

Ah finally, the anger I was used to. “It’s my birthday too”.

“You were not welcome,” he added. He fumbled in his pocket and got his keys out. “Let’s go.” He ordered turning around to leave the house.

“Archie, no” I reached for his arm. “You’re in no condition to drive, let me do it.”

He looked down at my hand on his arm and removed his briskly. “No,” he snorted. “I’m fucking driving.”

I tried to reach for him again but despite his drunkenness he was faster and stronger.

Taylor reached for my hand. “Arguing with him when he is in this state’s a waste of time.”

I shook my head, “No, I won't let him leave like that.” I turned to Caleb pointed at the door. “Help him!”

Caleb rolled his eyes, waving his phone at me. “I called the guard - the gates are closed; he can’t go anywhere.”

I sighed with relief as a huge noise made me rush outside, somehow happy that the loud music had prevented anybody witnessing the drama we were going through.

Archie had reversed the car into the fountain. He opened the door and leaned out, vomiting.

Taylor gagged beside me. “I can’t” she groaned waving her hand with another gag. “I’m an empathetic vomiter. I’m out,” she added, walking back into the house.

Archie crawled out of the car and fell on his back laughing. “Oops, I broke his favorite toy.” He laughed again.

Caleb took a step toward him, but I stopped him.

“Go back to the party Caleb, your toy’s waiting for you.”

I was just so tired, so broken, I could feel my mask slipping and I couldn’t do that now.

“I’ll handle it, he is my brother - my blood.”

“He hates you.” Caleb scoffed.

I shrugged, kicking off my shoes. “You hate me too, I’m okay with that.” I took a couple of steps down. “I'm dealing with him, just tell the guard to let us out. Your friend’s waiting.”

“You don’t mind?” He asked, crossing his arms on his chest. “You know what I’ll do with her, right?”

I shrugged, somehow happy to have the distraction of my brother’s drunkenness to smother the wave of jealousy I felt seeing the girl on her knees in front of him, If I hadn’t interrupted, what they would be doing now? “Do what you please, Caleb, this is your party and we’re not married.”

I turned, concentrating on my crawling mess of a brother. I leaned down. “Come on, you’ve got to help me help you.”

“Where’s Oppie?” he slurred.

“She’s gone.” I grabbed his arm and wrapped him around me. I was trying to ignore the burning eyes I could feel on me.

“She’s pretty.”

I rolled my eyes. “If it took you this long to notice, you’re even stupider than I thought.”

“She hates me so much.” He grabbed me to help himself up, making me stagger.

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