Page 126 of It's Complicated

He sighed and picked up his menu with his free hand. “We should order so we’re not late.”

“Where are we meeting them?” I asked, picking up my menu as well.

“Andy’s. They crashed there after they went out last night.”

Andy only lived about a mile from the diner. We should have plenty of time to eat and get there before the hour was up.

Jamie looked like he was trying to decide whether he wanted to throw up or bolt as he pressed the buzzer to Andy’s apartment.

“Yeah?” Andy asked, answering on the second ring.

“It’s us,” Jamie said.

The intercom shut off, and a loud buzz filled the air as the security door unlocked.

Jamie pulled it open, and we made our way to Andy’s apartment, taking the stairs instead of the ancient elevator.

Andy’s door swung open before Jamie could knock.

“Yo,” Andy greeted.

“Hey,” Jamie croaked.

“What’s wrong?” Andy asked, stepping back so we could come into the apartment.

“Nothing.” Jamie looked around. “Is Johnny here?”

“Present,” a voice said from the living room.

“He’s having a rough morning.” Andy waved for us to follow him.

We found Johnny on the couch in nothing but a tee and a pair of boxer briefs. Two empty sports drink bottles and a plate of what looked like the remnants of eggs and toast sat on the coffee table in front of him.

“Someone had a good night,” I said, hoping to lighten the mood and take the focus off Jamie and how he looked like he was about to pass out.

“Apparently I did. Not that I remember,” Johnny said.

“He was the life of the party until he tried to pick a fight with his reflection in the mirror and I had to drag his ass here to sleep it off.” Andy dropped on the couch next to Johnny, making the cushions bounce.

Johnny let out a little groan. “Dude,” he complained.

“What?” Andy asked, leaning close and talking right next to Johnny’s ear. “Not feeling good after downing a mickey of vodka?”

“It wasn’t that much. Just a few shots.”

“More like a few dozen shots.” Andy handed Johnny a bottle of water. “Drink.”

“I’m gonna piss all over your couch if I drink anymore.” He took the bottle and unscrewed the cap.

“That’s why bathrooms exist.” Andy waved a hand at him. “Now stop your bitching. Jamie has something he needs to tell us.”

Johnny fixed his gaze on Jamie and took a sip of the water. “Why do you look worse than me? Are you hungover too?”

“No. I’m just stressed about something.”

“What?” Andy asked, all traces of joking gone. “Are you okay? Did something happen?”

“No, nothing like that. I’m fine. Just…” He shot me a helpless look.

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