Page 28 of Sweet Temptation

“Totally,” I agreed. “Wish me luck.”

I grabbed a bottle of water and headed over to Sawyer. He was trying to chat with a girl I recognized from my English class, but I didn’t know her name. His words were slurred, and he was swaying on his feet. He kept bumping into the table at his side, causing the glasses and bottles on it to shake dangerously. The party had barely started, so Anna was probably right in suggesting he’d had too much to drink before he arrived.

“Hey, Sawyer,” I said as I approached. “Can you come outside with me for a sec?”

The girl shot me a grateful smile, and I got the distinct impression I’d come to her rescue. She darted away as he turned to me, and as soon as his sad eyes landed on mine, I realized my mistake.

“You’re not Sawyer,” I murmured.

“Not Sawyer,” Wes slurred in reply.

His eyes were ringed red, and he looked like he’d been crying.

“Wes, you look like hell.”

“I feel like hell,” he agreed. “Sarah broke up with me.”

“Oh no.”

He nodded and let out a sigh as he stared down into the red cup he was holding. He went to take another sip out of it, but I gently removed it from his hand and placed it on the table. I could smell the vodka from here.

“I’m not sure you need to drink any more.”

“You’re probably right. I think I’d rather sleep.” He started to stumble toward one of the sofas, but I grabbed hold of his arm and steered him in the direction of the exit.

“It might be a better idea if we find you an actual bed,” I said.

He nodded and let me guide him out of the boathouse. Cress caught sight of us as we were about to leave and hurried over.

“What’s wrong with Sawyer?” His reputation clearly preceded him as Cress made the same mistake.

“Not Sawyer. Wes,” I confirmed, and her eyes widened with surprise. “Sarah broke up with him. I’m going to get him back to his dorm room. He just needs to sleep it off.”

“Do you want a hand?”

I shook my head. “Nah, he seems pretty steady on his feet. I think I should be able to get him back in one piece. You stay and have fun.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure.” I was somewhat relieved to leave the party. I hadn’t wanted to go in the first place, and I didn’t feel much like staying after seeing Noah. Every time he came close to me, I felt my resolve to get over him slowly breaking.

“Well, call me if you need some extra help.”

“I will.”

There was a chill in the air as we stepped out into the night, and I hoped it would help sober Wes up. I passed him the bottle of water I was holding. “Here, drink this.”

He happily took the bottle and guzzled it down. Wes might have been slightly sloppy and sad, but at least he wasn’t a difficult drunk. He stumbled along the path as we walked, and I was grateful he was able to stay on his feet without much support from me. He was way too big for me to carry him on my own.

“So, what happened with Sarah?” I asked as we followed the darkened path that wound around the lake back to school, leaving the soft lights of the boatshed behind us.

“Things haven’t been great between us recently,” he started. “We rarely see each other. She wants someone who’sthere. And I’mhere.So, she dumped me.”

The ache in my chest echoed the confused and anguished tone in his voice. I was far too familiar with the hurt he was enduring.

“Long distance must be hard,” I murmured.

He nodded sadly, but was distracted as he stumbled over a divot in the path. I quickly reached out to steady him, and he grasped tightly onto my arms. As he looked up and into my eyes, his pain was so visceral and clear to see.

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