Page 158 of The Friend Scheme
“Because I don’t want to.”
He leans in close. “What are you hiding?”
“I…”
“You think I don’t know,” he says. “But I do. I’ve known the whole time.”
“Known what?”
He closes his eyes, for like a few seconds. Then he finally opens them.
“What?” he asks. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
“You’redrunk.”
He raises a finger to his lip. Like this is a secret, not the most obvious thing on the planet. I do think, though: What does he think he knows?
Dad makes his way up to us.
“Can you two fetch a wineglass for everyone?” he asks. “We’re having a meeting.”
Luke does a very wonky salute. “Yes, sir!”
Dad turns to me. “How much has he had?”
“I’m guessing a lot.”
“I’m not drunk, you two are drunk.”
“Christ. Luke, go sleep this off. Matt, set the table.”
Luke is now leaning most of his weight against me. He’s really heavy.
“Sure,” I say.
I help Luke to his room. Eddie trots after us.
“Sorry,” says Luke. “I’m such a mess.”
“Just don’t throw up on me.”
We reach Luke’s room. He takes off his jacket and throws it onto the floor. Then he walks around and collapses onto his bed.
“Would you say I’m a good brother?” he asks. “I try, you know.”
“The best. Now lie still.”
I grab his trash can, take the lid off it, and then put it beside his bed. Last, I fetch him a glass of water. When I get back to his room, he’s passed out, with his arm around Eddie, who looks up at me, like:I’ve got this.
“Good boy,” I say.
I leave Luke’s room and then set about putting wineglasses on the table.
Dad’s got a few expensive bottles of white in the fridge, so I bring those out, too. When I’m done, people start taking their seats. It’s only the adults, though, along with Vince’s daughters, because nobody is going to tell them what they can and can’t do right now. I’m not sure if I’m supposed to join or not.
“Did you get one for yourself?” asks Dad.
I hadn’t.
