Page 32 of Edge of Unbroken

Unfortunately, that means that I end up drinking way too much. By the time we’re ready to count down to the new year, I feel the effects of the several shots of tequila I’ve pounded back in rapid succession to numb my aching heart.

“Are you okay, Cat?” Drew asks, a concerned look on his face when I try to get up to hug my friends and wish them a happy new year, only to stumble into him.

“Yeah, sorry, Drew. I think I had too much,” I giggle stupidly, my words coming out slow.

“Maybe slow it down a tad.” He steadies me with his right hand on my waist. “You probably shouldn’t be drinking this much.”

Is he patronizing me?

“Good idea,” I say. “Happy New Year, though!”

“Yeah, you, too!” He hugs me, and I can’t tell if it’s the alcohol slowing everything down or if Drew’s embrace really does last just a smidge longer than appropriate. Before I can properly analyze the situation, he steps back and smiles at me. “I’ll get you some water.” He disappears into the house.

I move toward Steve, Vada, Tori, and Shane, walking slowly, paying attention to my footing so I don’t embarrass myself further.

“Happy New Year, Kitty Cat!” Vada shouts despite me standing right in front of her, and she pulls me into her arms too quickly, making my head spin.

“Happy New Year!” I groan, eliciting a laugh from Vada.

“Oh, Kitty, you’re so cute when you’re drunk!”

“You’re not the soberest of individuals, either,” Steve says, then rescues me from Vada’s bear hug and wraps his own arms around me, holding me against his warm chest clothed in a black hoodie.

I sigh and close my eyes, letting my heavy head rest against his shoulder. I pretend for a moment that I’m in Ronan’s arms. The brothers’ statures are so similar, their lines equally sharp, frames lean and muscular. I can almost convince myself it’s Ronan holding me, his heart pounding steadily against his rib cage, if it weren’t for the fact that Steve’s body doesn’t mold to mine as fluidly as Ronan’s does, and that Steve doesn’t smell like his brother. I mean, Steve smells great—of oakwood, and rain, and mint—but it’s nothing like Ronan’s scent, which has an intoxicating quality. I could get high off it.

“Are you alright tonight?” Steve asks in a low voice. I nod against him, and he tightens his hold. “I know it’s hard. I miss him, too.”

I appreciate Steve so much. He, Shane, and our friends have been such rocks for me these past few months, even though they’re also in pain, missing Ronan.

Drew taps me on the shoulder a moment later and Steve releases me from his hug, his brown eyes a light cinnamon color, warm and full of empathy.

“Here’s your water,” Drew says. I gratefully take the glass from him and gulp it down. “Need more?” he asks.

“No, I think I’m alright. Thank you so much, Drew.”

Drew takes the glass from me with a nod. “Just let me know if you need anything. I’ll keep an eye on you,” Drew says without giving me even the slightest indication that he’s joking. He wanders back into the house.

I feel Shane move up next to me, his arm coming up and around my shoulder before he pulls me in for a hug. “Happy New Year, Cat,” he says, and squeezes me tightly.

“Happy New Year, Shay,” I squeak.

He chuckles. “To new beginnings, right? This is going to be a good year; I can feel it.”

“I hope you’re right,” I wheeze with the tightness of Shane’s hug before he releases me from his stranglehold.

“We’re just going to manifest this shit into the universe.” He raises his head toward the cloud-covered night sky. “It’s gonna be a good year, god damn it!” he shouts into the nothingness, startling me.

“Jeez, okay, I guess this is one way to do it,” I huff, shaking my head while Shane laughs at me.

“Let’s play a game!” Vada eventually yells from her spot by the fire pit.

“Yes, let’s!” Summer says, and places herself cross-legged next to Zack on the rattan sectional sofa. “What do you have in mind?”

Vada grins. “Truth or dare.”

“Oh shit,” Shane chuckles. “This should be fun with most everyone absolutely fucking wasted already. By the way,” he says, “none of you are driving home tonight. I expect you all to stay until morning and everyone’s sober.”

He’s met with no objections.

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