Page 86 of Fortunate Misfortune
“I know how to do it. I mean… In theory I know how to do it. I haven’t done it in real life, but I watched a ton of videos that talked me through the process. I can do it for you.”
My chest deflates when she gifts me the smile I’ve been waiting for.
“I would love that.”
“What in the hell happened while I was asleep?” Mallory hisses.
We maneuver carefully over scattered bodies, empty bottles, and crushed cans that cover the living room floor. Adri is fast asleep, using the Twister mat as a blanket. Her face is shoved into the corner as if she fell asleep while put in a time-out.
“I had no idea your teammates could trash a place like this.”
“They’re animals. Goddamn animals. Tomorrow is going to be their worst nightmare. We’re not just doing two-on-two. I’m taking these dumbasses on a hike at seven in the morning. That’ll show them.”
She moves toward Jo, who is star-fished in the middle of the floor with a half-eaten graham cracker on her forehead. I reach for Jo’s arm to help her, but Mallory stops me.
“No way. The moment one of these drunk idiots sees you, they’ll be screaming bloody murder, and I can’t handle any more craziness.” She points down the hallway. “I’m staying in the second room on the rightwith Shay, but I’m leaving her on the couch tonight. Wait for me in there?”
I nod and head for the bedroom. I’m about to shut the bedroom door when a voice pierces the quiet.
“Are you okay?” Jo slurs. “Did I hear Kenneth, or am I justreaaaaallydrunk right now?”
Mallory shushes her. “Keep your voice down, babe. There was a small hiccup, but don’t worry about me. Let’s focus on making sure you don’t hate yourself in the morning.”
“Too late. I regret everything. I should have listened when you told me not to listen to Adri. Do you think I can sue her for damaging my liver?”
“Sadly, no.” A pause. “We need to get you to bed. What are you looking for?”
I almost laugh when Jo’s sniffles. “I think Adri ate my graham crackers. That’s stealing. I’m gonna sue her so hard.”
Closing the door behind me, I send Mallory all the patience I can muster. She’s going to need it.
Thirty minutes later, Mallory walks into the bedroom and locks the door behind her. She buries her face in her hands to muffle the scream she lets out. “That was terrible. Shay thought it was morning and tried to run away, Jo ate half a pack of crackers before passing out, and Adri thought I was a kidnapper and started throwing Jenga blocks at me.”
Dropping the itinerary I was reading, I stand. “Looks like your morning hike might need to be pushed. They’ll need to sleep it off.”
“Hell no. They can sweat out their hangovers.” She scans the floor. “Why is this room suddenly giving me less anxiety?”
“I shoved all of Shay’s clothes that were on the ground into her suitcase and put it on the highest shelf in the closet. That’ll teach her a lesson.”
I hold the sheets up and wait for Mallory to slip beneath the floral bedspread. The moment her head hits the pillow she bolts back up, but I already have her scarf in my other hand. Cade refuses to sleep without his, so I grabbed hers from the dresser just in case.
The mattress groans as I take a seat beside her. “How are you feeling?”
“Like I could sleep for a whole day.” After securing the scarf around her head, she covers her face. “I’m sorry for ruining your night. I already feel like a burden, and I never wanted to be that to you—”
I cut her off. “You? A burden? What are you talking about, Ed? Why would you ever think you’re a burden to me? Or anyone for that matter?”
She bites down on her bottom lip. “You drove two hours to the middle of nowhere, and now you’re here dealing with the smell of puke and my inebriated teammates.”
“And?” I hate that she’s apologizing for needing help. For asking for help. “You are not a burden to me. You never have been, and you never will be. Getting to be there for you is all that matters. It doesn’t matter the day of the week, time of day, where you are, or where I am, I will be there when you call.”
Although she’s looking at me, it feels like she’s lookingthroughme, but I don’t look away. I wait patiently for Mallory to kick me out and tell me I crossed a friendship boundary.
But her next words take me by surprise.
“I had my first anxiety attack the day of my dad’s funeral. The second one came two weeks later. My mom was asleep at the kitchen table, which was odd, but I was happy because it was the first time she had left her room since the funeral. Earlier that day, she told me she was going to grocery shop, but the fridge and pantry were still empty when I got home. I woke her up and she told me that seeing my dad’s car in thegarage was another reminder that he was really gone, and she cried until she fell asleep.”
She takes a deep breath before continuing. “It took a while to get her in bed. I needed air, so I started walking to the grocery store. Next thing I knew, I was kneeling on the sidewalk, trying not to pass out.”
