Page 120 of Tobias

I make an annoyed sound. “Since when do you hire me on Tuesday nights?” I say.

Charlie huffs out a laugh, shaking his head. “Man, maybe you should take more time off work.” He offers me his hand and helps me to my feet, holding me still when I sway. I meet his grey eyes, which no longer hold concern but instead humor. “You’ve been with me since last Friday.”

“What the fuck?”

“Don’t worry, you called out of work and shit. Everything is good.”

Everything is good? I don’t remember a goddamn thing. That’s not good. That’s fucking awful. I don’t think I’ve gotten this fucked up since college.

“What the hell did you give me?”

“Nothing you didn’t want.” He smirks and leaves it at that.

Maybe it’s better I don’t know.

I can’t even get mad at the guy. He likes to party, and I’ve done this with him for years. Nothing ever this hardcore, but I guess that’s what happens when you’re trying not to think about something… or rather, someone. Everything hurts, and the only time I don’t think about Theo is when I’m blackout drunk. It’s ridiculous, honestly. He’s just a guy. Why the hell can’t I stop thinking about him?

“I didn’t like… fuck anyone, did I?” I scratch the back of my neck, waiting for his response.

“Nah,” he finally answers. “You stuck to your guns when it came to that. Surprised as hell. You’re fucking stubborn.”

Thank God. I rest my head back, drinking some more water.

“You should take a vacation,” he adds, going to the fridge to get another bottle of water.

“Why would I do that?”

Charlie puts his hand on my shoulder, looking me in the eye. “I’ve known you a long time, Tobias, and I love partying with you. It’s always a good time, but… you’re not right, man. Whoever this Theo is, you’ve got it bad for him. Maybe it’s time you try to settle down.”

I did that. At least, I was going to, but then I found out he was lying to me, and I changed my mind.

“Thanks for the advice, but—”

“You told me everything,” he says, handing me the water.

“Huh?”

“All about Theo. The lying, the cheating, and how you love him.”

“I said that?”

He urges the water at me and I take it, while he takes the empty one from me.

Charlie chokes out a laugh, but it sounds almost sad. “Yeah, you did. Sunday night, I thought you were going to startcrying. You being all sad had me worried. I had to tell the girls to go.”

“I don’t even remember that. Fuck, I’m sorry.”

“Hey, it’s cool. I was able to catch up on sleep. They came back the next day.” He smirks, and I guess I don’t feel so bad.

“I don’t know how you live like this.”

He shrugs. “Some people were just made for it. But you? I think it’s time you try something different. Have you talked to him?”

“No,” I say firmly, twisting the cap off the new water.

“Maybe you should. Even if it’s not to get back together, but to clear the air. I don’t know. Relationships aren’t my thing, but I hear talking is important.”

I nod, taking a deep breath. Looking down at myself, I see I’m fully clothed which is good. Nothing is stained or ripped or thrown up on. Charlie goes over and hops on the bed, grabbing the remote for the TV. It’s empty other than him, so whoever was here left. Walked by me crumpled on the ground like a scared child. Pathetic.

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