Page 114 of Pack Scratch Fever
Drunk me is amess.
“We have until the end of the month,” Blair says, rubbing my shoulder with her free hand. “That’s more than three weeks to figure something out.”
But I know Blair is being more optimistic than she feels. I remember the way her face crumpled after she read the new agreement.
She loves the rescue as much as I do and needs it just as much.
“You’re resourceful,” she continues. “Both of us are. This won’t ruin the rescue, and it sounds like your pack wants to help?—”
“They’re not my pack,” I snap, harsher than I intended to be. “And they can’t help. Poe doesn’t know the first thing about cats, nor does he want to. Maddox and Avery are no better.”
More tears fall as I spit out their names.
Poe. Maddox. Avery.
They had meant something to me.
They were more than just Heat partners, more than just Alphas.
It felt as if they were myfriends.
Sure, Maddox and Avery weren’t directly responsible for what Poe did, but they’re part of the pack.
Theychoseto be in a pack with him, which almost makes it worse.
Why would they willingly be packmates with someone who does horrible things, like screwing over renters?
I want nothing to do with them after this.
The thought makes me sob harder, and Blair remains silent the rest of the car ride to my apartment.
I’m too inebriated to be embarrassed as she helps me through my front door, not caring that she sees how pathetic my apartment is.
We both know I’m punishing myself for not doing enough.
I suspect that behavior will only worsen after tonight.
“I’m staying tonight,” she announces as I fumble out of my jeans and toss my sweater over my head.
“No,” I grumble. “I’m fine.”
I flop unceremoniously onto my mattress, burying my face in a pillow. I squeeze my eyes shut as the room spins from the alcohol.
“No, you’re not.” The mattress dips, and Blair plops down next to me, dressed in a pair of my sweatpants. “I’m staying until you sober up.”
Her gentle floral scent permeates the room as I turn to face her. She lies on her side; her brow furrowed with concern.
“Where’s my phone?” I croak.
She fumbles behind her and retrieves it off the floor. I take it and roll onto my back, groaning at the number of missed calls and text messages that fill my screen.
I scroll through them quickly, only checking to see who they’re from and not bothering to read them in detail.
It’s a bunch of apologies and explanations that mean nothing.
Poe, Maddox, and Avery have already proven they’re capable of hurting me, and I’m not going back down that route.
It’s better for me to have a clean break from them.
