Rich let the phone fall out of his hand and flopped back into the pillows. His head was thudding and he was seriously having to concentrate on not throwing up but it had been totally worth it. Last night was fucking awesome.
He seemed to vaguely remember Grace asking him if he would stay with her but as she tripped over a garden gnome two seconds later he hadn't answered, he'd just picked her up, kissed her hand where she fell on it and helped her to the door. Part of him wished she was here but then the other part reminded him that he stank of booze and if she was here and managed to not faint from the stench then he might just puke on her and drive her away for good.
"Wakey wakey Frankenstein."
The door swung open and Alo swaggered in sporting a particularly odd pair of orange trousers.
"Fuck!" Alo coughed."You fucking reek, what the hell were you drinking last night, lighter fuel?" Alo crossed to the window and opened it wide hoping to let in some fresh air
"Diesel." Rich groaned
"Ah, the alcopop of the metal head." Alo grinned. "So how did Grace handle it?"
"She liked it. It's her fault I'm like this actually, she bought shots."
"Oh no, not..."
"I'm afraid so."
"Aftershock!" Alo shook his head "Ricardo my boy, will you never learn. Your death metal gut doesn't like bright colours."
"I know, but what was I supposed to say, didn't want her to think I was a pussy."
Alo laughed and threw himself onto the bed next to Rich who looked positively seasick.
"So talking of pussy...did you get any?"
"Ahh really nice Alo, really smooth, it's funny you're not beating girls off with a shitty stick with comments like that."
"Alright, alright so what happened then?"
"What makes you think I'm gonna tell you?"
"Because you're fucking dying to"
"Whatever!" Rich pulled the covers back over his head, hiding a smile "Stop being a fucking woman."
"Mate!" Alo grabbed the covers back."Not cool!"
Rich couldn't hold his laugh in any longer. He really hoped he wasn't going to be sick but he loved with-holding information from Alo, he was like a puppy begging to be thrown a stick.
"Nothing much to tell mate," Rich sat up, grinning."We got pissed, we talked, we snogged a bit and we went home. Our own homes, before you ask."
"Hadn't crossed my mind." Alo winked. "So you like her then?"
"Yeah she's alright." Rich grinned
"So do you think you'll...you know... with Grace?"
"I dunno, maybe."
Rich smiled again, he hadn't thought of anything but her since he got in last night, he'd even dreamed about her and that wasn't like him, he usually dreamed about falling or being chased or not being able to find a toilet.
He had dreamed that she was standing in the middle of a white room. She was staring at him with a serene smile on her face. She beckoned to him and he had approached her. It was then that he realised that he was naked. This wasn't the first time he'd been naked in his dreams but this was the first time he didn't feel troubled by it. When he looked up she was smiling brightly and taking off her dress, she wasn't wearing anything underneath it. He couldn't remember what her body looked like in the dream but he remembered holding her in his arms and kissing her.
"Earth to Rich!" Alo punched his arm, bringing him from his reverie
"What?"
"Get your shit together lover boy."
"Why? Where we going."
"Party at Liv's"
"No, no more. I'll spew."
"Don't be such a pussy. Hair of the dog - that'll sort you out!"
Rich mock-gagged, pulling the covers back up to his chin but Alo was ready for that kind of tactic. He stood up and grabbed the bottom of the duvet, whipping it away from Rich's grasping fingers.
"Right, now you go and wash off the beer stench and I'll see you in the van in fifteen minutes."
"Alo..." Rich warned
"Grace'll be there."
"Alright, alright I'm going."
Rich stalked past Alo into the bathroom; he didn't want him to know how desperate he was to see Grace again but he was sure it was written all over his face. He was nervous about seeing her but at the same time he wanted to make sure she was still interested in him. He hoped she hadn't woken up full of regret this morning. He really hoped she remembered some of the things she was saying to him. He wanted to tell her that he'd wanted to come in with her but it hadn't seemed right. He looked down at his phone.
Message from Grace
She'd obviously replied while he was fighting Alo off. He took a deep breath and opened the message.
Poor baby- hope ur ok. Had gr8 nite. See u at Livs? Gxxxxxxxxxx
She's still interested! He grinned, quickly texting her back and pulling on his shower cap.
