Page 26 of The Amazing Alpha Tau Fratmas Experience
The whiskey would help.
Imust have fallen asleep on the couch because the next thing I knew Dalton was trying to get me on my feet. The pattern on Grandpa’s rug was moving like lines of static on an old television set.
“I need—I need to take Squirrel out to pee.” I stumbled against Dalton.
He put his arm around me. “I already took care of it.”
He was thebest.
Dalton, not Squirrel. Though Squirrel was also the best. But mainly Dalton. “You’re the best, boo.”
Billy chuckled and said, “Take your boy to bed, Dalton.”
Dalton laughed and said something in reply but I didn't hear it, too busy trying to make my feet go in a straight line—which washardwhen the floor kept moving. I wasn’t sure how we made it to the bedroom, but when we got there, I collapsed on my back on the bed and stared up at the ceiling while I waited for it to stop spinning.
Maybe that last whiskey had been a bad idea.
“You think?” Dalton said dryly, and I realized I’d said that out loud. “The five before it were probably a bad idea too.”
“Aw, boo,” I said and had to close my eyes before I got seasick. “You took Squirrel out?”
“Yeah,” Dalton said.
“Oh, you already said that.”
The mattress dipped as he sat down beside me, and I heard the familiar click of Squirrel’s claws on the floor. He was probably doing that thing where he had to circle three times before settling down. Squirrel, not Dalton.
“Roll onto your side,” Dalton said. “There’s a bucket beside the bed if you need to throw up.”
That was true love right there.
I heaved myself over onto my side and dropped my hand off the edge of the bed. My fingers brushed the edge of the bucket. It was good to know it was there. I opened my eyes to check if the room was still spinning. It was. “Hey, Dalton? I told Scout I loved him.”
“Yeah? What did he say?”
“He punched me. But I think he had a real feeling about it too.” I closed my eyes again. “I do love him. I love all my bros. But I love you most of all.”
“I’m glad,” Dalton said, and I could hear the smile in his voice.
The room spun a little more, and I closed my eyes.
A moment later warm air hit the side of my face, and a tongue ran over my ear. It smelled like Dalton had been snacking on salami. “I’d normally be down for this, boo, but I’ve had a lot to drink. I don’t think I could even aim my dick at your ass, let alone get it in.”
“That wasn’t me, Marty,” Dalton said.
I opened my eyes and looked over my shoulder. Squirrel stared back at me. Dalton was on Squirrel’s other side.
“Squirrel, down,” Dalton said, and Squirrel gave me a sad look and jumped off the bed.
Dalton pulled the bedcovers up and reached out and turned off the lamp, plunging the bedroom into darkness. At least that stopped it from spinning. Or it stopped me from seeing it was spinning, which was the same thing. I was still glad that bucket was there, though.
Dalton decided to be the big spoon, and I snuggled back into him as his arms came around me.
“Come on the ATVs with us tomorrow?” I asked him.
“Marty, you’re gonna be so hungover you won’t want to leave the bed.” He pressed a kiss to my shoulder, then rested his head on the pillow. “Did I tell you today how amazing you are?”
“Anyone can get super drunk, Dalton.”
