Angela teetered like a giraffe in high heels, her blonde roots visible even in the dim lighting of the house. The room seemed louder than it had before despite the party winding down as more and more guests left.
Angela knew she was in no state to drive, seeing as she couldn't even walk straight. She sat on the chintz sofa with a half empty wine cooler in her hand, momentarily entranced by the green glow of a lava lamp against the basement's wood paneled walls. A new pop song Angela had only heard twice before she got sick of it played through the speakers though her inebriation made it seem even louder.
She didn't think she'd be drinking tonight. She had a coke in her hands and was content to stay sober that night until she had the urge to try just a little vodka. It was totally uncharacteristic of her and there were a few raised eyebrows from those who recognized her.
It made her feel better and she definitely needed that buzz tonight, especially after what happened last week. One thing led to another and now she was dozing off on the basement sofa.
She was out like a light and didn't hear the sound of combat boots marching down the creaking stairs minutes later.
Jordan was relieved to find her in the basement and sighed as he saw her sleeping, the spilt wine cooler bottle still lying next to her.
He hadn't even been expecting to come to the party tonight until he heard she was there. He wanted to see her, he just needed to talk to her about the fight. Her being mad at him tore him up in a way he never knew anything could.
He was shocked to learn she'd been drinking, knowing full well she never did and wouldn't have been able to handle it. And not just drinking but chugging Vodka straight out of the bottle.
A flash of anger went through him as he sat down next to her and saw the wine cooler residue on her.
Jesus thought Jordan The hell was she thinking?
She was facedown on the sofa, one leg dangling off haphazardly. He couldn't leave her like this, there were way too many sick people who would do whatever they wanted to her. The thought turned his blood cold and without thinking about it, he put her jacket on her and grabbed her purse before placing her over his shoulder and carrying her up the rickety basement steps.
He earned a few odd looks but ignored as he made his way to his car and placed her in the passenger seat. She was still asleep and whatever anger Jordan felt was subdued by the relief that she was safe.
He started driving to the Chase house and about halfway there, Angela begin to come too. She looked at him with bleary eyes.
"Jordan?" She whispered. "Where am I?"
"I'm taking you home. You're too drunk to drive."
The rest of the drive home was quiet and Jordan realized he'd have to help Angela get to the front steps. He opened the car door for her and she wrapped her arm around his shoulder while stumbling for the front steps.
"There's a spare key in the flower pot" Angela mumbled.
Jordan pulled the key from the small pot and unlocked the door. He stumbled to the Chase's living room and deposited Angela on the sofa, pulling a blanket over her. She seemed to fall asleep instantly and Jordan lingered for just a few moments, needing to know she was going to be ok.
As he locked up the door and got back into his car, he was faced by the undeniable fact that he loved her. He'd known it for months and did everything he could to deny it, even sleeping with Rayanne.
But he couldn't anymore. It was a miracle he didn't lose her after pushing her away so many times, thinking if he got too close he would get hurt. Pushing her away had hurt her deeply and after nearly letting her get away once, he wasn't going to do it again.
They'd patch things up tomorrow, at this point neither of them would probably even be able to remember what the fight was about. As he drove away, he couldn't help but think of her and smile.