Page 28 of Can't Take My Eyes Off You

‘Berkley.’ He says my name with a sigh of relief. ‘Can you come over?’

‘Youneedme to come over?’

‘Ineedyou, baby.’ The way he says it, like he’s desperate, pulls at my heart in a way I wish it didn’t.

My head is fuzzy from the couple shots I did earlier so it’s not making any stellar decisions this evening and out of the three organs that run me, it’s the only chance I had to do anything smart when it comes to Will. My heart and loins are his biggest fucking fans.

‘Sure, I’ll come over.’

‘Berkley’s coming!’ he says excitedly, the phone dropping to the ground with an audible thud.

I wait a second to see if Cole comes back. Finally, he does. ‘You’re headed this way?’

‘Give me like ten minutes, and distract Jonah, would you? I don’t need a repeat of what I watched tonight,’ I say.

‘Yeah, neither does he. It’s why he’s drunk right now. He feels like he’s let you down. Again.’

I sigh, ending the call and slowly turning to face Olivia, who I’m sure has plenty to say. I scrunch my face, ready to take the heat.

‘You’re seriously going to go save that idiot?’ she asks, perturbed.

‘He’s not an idiot, Liv,’ I defend him. ‘I mean, heis, but he’s not doing well.’ I tap my head like it will help me explain it. ‘I can’t just ignore that. I lo—’ I stop mid-word when I realize what I’m about to say. ‘I dunno anymore.’ The words leave my lips somehow feeling like defeat.

‘Maybe he should consider healing your heart.’ She taps my sternum, looking me right in the eyes. ‘Then he could feel good about himself again. You’re letting him manipulate you.’

‘He’s not doing it on purpose. I can’t just turn my back on him when he’s like this. No one else cares if he lives or dies. I’m theonlyperson with a soul that he knows.’

She lets out a huge groan. ‘I know.Go,’ she says, ‘I’ll be fine. The car’s almost here.’ She waves me away from her. ‘Go nurse him back to health and get your fix and make it the last one so you can finally move on. He’s like the drug you just can’t quit. It’s not healthy.’

I hug her until she laughs and shoves me away. Then turn around and walk the four blocks to Will’s apartment building.

My chest is filled with anxiety and excitement at the same time. I hate that he’s so drunk he’ll likely pass out once I get him into bed and I’mtotallymad at him right now, but I’m excited I get to see him again. Like I said, we’re a total mess.

I don’t know how to stop this cycle. I mean, I’m starting to get scared for him. His binge-drinking bouts are getting more frequent. Maybe tonight I’ll mention rehab again? Not that he’ll agree to go.

The elevator doors open to his and Mike’s apartment, and I walk into chaos. There are easily three dozen people here. Women. Hipsters. Someone playing a random guitar. Loud music blasts through the place. A remake of ‘Tainted Love’. Actually, that seems to be the one thing fitting in this situation.

I glance around the room, spotting Mike across the way with his group of misfit friends. Felicity is one of them. Giggling at everything he says while sitting in his lap.

Wait a second.Whyis she sitting on his lap? Fucking hell, this girl is hard up for attention. I spot Cole, sitting in a chair he’s turned to face the balcony, his back to the room.

‘Cole.’ I say his name as I walk through the kitchen towards him.

‘Buzzkill Berkley!’ Mike yells.

‘Say, masturbation Mike…’ I groan, ignoring him altogether and giving him the finger, including the camera guy, Jonah, now following my every move.

‘Is he OK?’ I ask, stepping up in front of Cole and glancing out the window.

Will’s lying in a lounge chair, his eyes closed and his head slumped to the side. The neck of the bottle of whiskey is still in his hand but sitting on the ground. His apartment is full of people and not one of them is out there with him or even paying attention to him, except Cole.

‘I’m sure if you get him to bed, he’d be OK sleeping it off,’ he suggests.

I nod, staring out at Will. ‘By the way, I’m not thrilled with my new theme song,’ I say, glancing back at Cole before I step out onto the deck.

He laughs. ‘You like that? That was all me; it seemed fitting.’ His arrogant nod makes me wanna smack him, but I actually like Cole, so I won’t.

I shake my head. ‘It’s humiliating to the tenth level. Remind me to pay you back one day.’ I push open the door, walking to Will slowly. Jesus. I blow out a breath. How is hethisgood-looking when he’s absolutely hammered? I sit on the chair he’s in, facing him, our hips touching.

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