Page 26 of I Blame the Alcohol

Cody breaks our hand hold to shrug off his winter jacket and wrap it around my shoulders. The worn fleece sleeves hang past my hands, enveloping me in Cody’s leftover body heat. I snuggle deeper into the warmth, not bothering to protest the act of chivalry.

“Because I knew you’d bring one for me.”

Cody grunts, his breath visible against the dark night sky.

I fall silent, tilting my head back to spy the faint stars shining above us. It’s easy to spot the one that shines the brightest, just left of the crescent moon peeping through the clouds. I sneak a look at Cody then blow a quick kiss to the star, a tradition my mom and I created back when she was alive, and we’d had a really good day.

The more love you give, the more you’ll get. Which star are you going to choose tonight my darling girl?

I smile at the memory, it's one I haven’t had in years. If there was one thing my mother believed in, it was that the universe provides if you’re willing to give something in return. For her, that meant spending every day of her life performing little acts of kindness to anyone and everyone that crossed her path. Whether that meant donating her last dollar or being the first to raise a toast, my mother was the brightest star long before her soul drifted into the night sky.

“I, uh, had a good time tonight.” Cody’s gravelly voice drags me back to present and I turn to see his wind-bitten cheeks smiling sheepishly at me.

“Oh, did you now?” Despite my teasing tone, a beaming smile takes over my features.

I’ve never had a good poker face.

He nods, deadpan, “Not the worst Friday night I’ve had.”

I throw my head back and laugh, the freezing wind picking up the sound and carrying it far away. Snow crunches under our boots as we approach the doors to my residence building, and with a quick swipe of my access card, I lead us inside.

“Thank you for tonight, Cody. I mean it.” My voice sounds louder now that we’re inside and a glimpse of my reflection in the night-painted window has me holding back a wince.

Alberta winds aresucha bitch.

Cody crosses his arms and leans against the corridor wall, the motion pulling his paisley shirt tight against his broad chest. My eyes track the movement, lazily tracing every muscle outline peeping through the deep red material.

“There’s no need to thank me. I owed you, remember?”

The cheerful glint in Cody’s brown eyes is making me forget a lot of things at the moment. Things like why it would be a bad idea to invite the varsity captain back to my dorm.

One night of fun wouldn’t hurt, would it?

“I don’t know why you used the past tense. Last time I checked, you are only off the hook if I approved of your performance.” I pretend to shoot him with my finger while Cody rolls his eyes.

“You O’Brien’s are always changing the rules, aren’t you?” He pushes off the wall and takes a step closer. One more step and our bodies would be pressed together.

“Somebody’s got to keep you on your toes.” I tilt my head back to look up at him, his shoulders almost completely blocking my view of the overhead lamp barely staying alive.

I’ve never been much of a climber, but I’d be willing to give those shoulders a go.

We stand like that, staring at each other for what seems like forever. Finally, I realize I’m still wearing the man’s jacket and shrug it off.

That’s probably what he’s been waiting for.

“Why’d you do it?” The question leaves my lips as I pass the jacket back to him.

“Do what?”

“You know,” I wave my hands in the air like I just discovered mime was my sole reason for living, “For pretending we were together back there.”

I was surprised when Cody started the charade, but mostly relieved. Having to admit one’s single status, or worse, a just-friends situation is so much worse after witnessing a cute couple fake fight over the retelling of their love story.

“Oh, yeah. No worries.” Cody shrugs as if he didn’t just save me from a long night of single itis. All the single ladies out there know what I’m talking about.

“Why’d you do it?” I repeat my question, watching closely for a reaction. Cody falls silent, his jaw clenching slightly as if the interrogation is starting to make him uncomfortable.

Interesting.

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