Page 15 of Fragile Heart

Holly finally looks at him. “I don’t know. Because you’re Jake.”

“Great,” he mumbles under his breath. I don’t think he means for either of us to hear it, so I act like I don’t.

“Oh, hey, there’s Pearson. I’m going to go say hey. Be right back.” Holly wanders off to a table across the room, and I settle in next to Jake. We both know she won’t “be right back.”

Jake and I talk for a while to catch up. His job has been going really well, and he’s hoping for a promotion soon. We talk a little about the diner. My life isn’t very exciting, but he pretends to be interested all the same.

“Hey, Quinn.” I turn toward the bartender, who just called my name. “I think it’s time for your buddy to go home.” He tilts his head to the side of the bar where I know a certain man is sitting.

“Oh. He’s not my friend,” I tell him.

“You’re the only one who’s talked to him all night.”

“Maybe people in this town need to work on their manners then,” I tease. Maybe he’s the way he isbecauseno one talks to him.

“He’s passed out on my bar. Any ideas on how to get him out of here?”

I look to Jake for help, but he just shrugs.

“I mean, we could call him a cab, I guess,” I suggest slowly, my brain searching for a way to get Hudson home safely.

“Where would we tell the cab to take him?”

“Good point.” I scratch my head. “Let me see if he has a phone on him.” I walk back to where Hudson is sitting, well, laying now. His forehead is pressed against the sticky bar.

I call his name, but he doesn’t move. I shake his arm and still nothing. Jesus. How much has this man had to drink?

His phone is sticking out of his front jean pocket, so I take the liberty of pulling it out. I tilt it, trying to get the screen to come on, but it stays black. After pressing the button on the side for a few seconds, I realize it’s dead. Great. What am I supposed to do now?

I turn to Jake, who followed me over here. “His phone is dead.”

“Well, I don’t know what to do with him.”

“We can’t just leave him here,” I say, rubbing my temple and hoping an answer magically pops into my head.

“We could call the cops,” Jake suggests.

I shake my head. “He would have to spend the night in jail. I’m not doing that.”

Holly must’ve realized something was happening because she walks over. “What’s going on?”

“Hudson is passed out drunk, and we’re trying to figure out what to do with him,” I tell her. I can’t take my eyes off Hudson. I don’t understand how he could let himself get to this level. He’s not just drunk. He’s blackout drunk.

“Why don’t we just take him to your place, Quinn? Let him sleep on the couch until he wakes up enough to tell you where he lives.”

My eyes widen. “You want me to let a strange man sleep on my couch?”

“You’ve talked to him a bunch. He’s not a complete stranger. I’d do it, but my mom would freak out.”

Her mom would most definitely freak out. I turn to Jake, hoping he will offer his place. “Jake?”

“No way. I’ve never even talked to the guy. That would be uncomfortable for both of us in the morning.” My stomach sinks. He’s right. And because I’m completely incapable of saying no, I agree to take him to my place.

We close out our tab. I assume Hudson’s tab is already closed because the bartender doesn’t stop us when the three of us lug Hudson out of the bar.

Jake and I throw one of Hudson’s arms over our shoulders before lifting him up. He’s a lot heavier than I expected, and I’m out of breath after a few steps of him draped on me.

Hudson’s feet drag as we literally pull him out of the bar and into Jake’s car. His head snaps up when the door is slammed shut, but he doesn’t open his eyes. I take the opportunity to try to pull him out of his stupor.

---