It's past midnight when us guys pull into the parking lot of Thorne and Mia's apartment. We all carpooled in Jay's minivan instead of driving our own respective vehicles. Wells tried to play off this decision as being "better for the environment", but we all know he just wanted an excuses to get drunk and not have to worry about his car getting towed when he inevitably ends up needing a ride.

I end up driving, as I'm the only sober one between the five of us. Thorne sits in the passenger seat nexts to me, basically sober besides the three shots he had at the beginning of the night (he claimed he didn't want to be hungover in the morning, as he gets married in a matter of hours, but I know he's really just nervous for the ceremony and everyone knows Thorne doesn't handle liquor well when he's nervous).

Asher, Jay, and Wells are squished together in the back, completely out of it. Wells has yet to stop singing that stupid Baby Shark song as he sticks his head out of the window like a dog, a plastic bag in his lap incase he feels the need to puke (because everyone knows that Wells can't handle his liquor well at all). In the middle sits Jay, who apparently becomes unusually quiet when drunk, with a hankering for cashews. Behind Thorne is Asher, his demeanor renaming unchanged from his usual brooding.

It's almost impossible to get Wells up the stairs to the third floor, as he pauses every few second to bark like a dog, cracking himself up. It's agreed that Wells, Jay, and Asher will be spending the night at the apartment, mostly because Thorne and I are wary of what they might do if we drop them off unattended.

Entering the apartment, I'm surprised to find the place is dark, quiet, and reeking booze. I'm aware that the girls were holding Mia's bachelorette party here, so when I walk in to find the place silent and dark, I assume they called it a night and went home.

I guess it's because of this assumption that I'm startled to wander into the living room to find the girls spread out, completely out of it. Charlie and Violet are wrapped up together in a recliner, long gone. Mia and Emmie lay sprawled out on the rug, heads on the coffee table, a bottle of vodka set between them. Then there's Blake, sleeping on the couch, her blond hair spread out around her face like a golden halo.

That is, until Wells makes a bird call sound that wakes all of the girls up, besides Charlie and Violet.

Emmie is the first to stir, sitting up and glancing at us boys through narrowed and hazy eyes. She shrugs before reaching for the bottle of vodka, wrapping her red lips around the lid without a care in the world.

Mia sits up slowly, blinking to adjust to the light. Her gaze drifts from Emmie chugging vodka to us boys gathering in the living room before settling on Thorne, her hazel eyes lighting up as they do so.

"Hi, baby," Mia slurs. "What are you doing home?"

Thorne shakes his head as he studies Mia, smiling as he makes his way over to her. He crouches down next to her, tucking her messy hair behind her ears before lopping an arm beneath her legs, wrapping the other around her torso as he lifts Mia into his arms effortlessly.

"Let's get you to bed, Sunshine," Thorne murmurs, kissing the top of Mia's head. "You are going to be so hungover tomorrow."

Thorne disappears into his bedroom, going to help Mia get ready for sleep. My attention drifts to Blake, who is now sitting on the couch, running a hand over her curls. My eyes dance over her, unable to take my eyes off of her in that outfit. I've known since the moment I met Blake Rhodes that she was beautiful, but tonight she looks deathly alluring.

Wells falls back onto the couch, tripping over the rug. He doesn't move to get back up, which concerns me until I realize the fool is snoring. Jay takes a seat in the unoccupied recliner, content to sit with his new bag of cashews, which he had somehow convinced me to pull over and buy for him on the way here because I was "driving his car, and he could easily call the police on me and say I stole it".

Asher's gaze is solely fixated on a visibly intoxicated Emmie, concern and something deeper etched into his expression. That something deeper looks a lot like what I would call love. I watch wordlessly from where I stand as Asher makes his way to Emmie, bending down at her side just as Thorne had done for Mia moments earlier.

Emmie holds a hand out to Asher in the "stop" signal, shaking her head as she slurs, "I'm fine. I don't help your need." Emmie pauses, eyebrows furrowing as a hiccup escapes her red-painted lips. "I mean, I don't need your help. Yeah, right that sounds. I mean, sounds right."

Asher smiles softly at her, seemingly having sobered up more than I thought he had. He tucks a stand of Emmie's light hair behind her ear before cupping her face in his hands.

"I know, Em," he murmurs. "You don't need anyone's help. But I'm still gonna give it to you." Asher takes Emmie's hand in his, helping the girl to her feet. Emmie instantly stumbles into him, wobbling on her heels.

"Let's get you into the guest room," Asher says. Emmie merely nods her agreement, barely able to stand on her own. Realizing Emmie isn't going to be able to walk down the hallway, Asher gently hefts the girl over his shoulder, heading in the direction of the guest room.

Emmie starts to protest, though quickly stops short as Asher carries her. "Stay with me?" she whimpers as Asher reaches the door to the guest room, setting her down to open the door.

Asher cups Emmie's cheek as he mumbles to her, "Always."

Emmie wrinkles her nose, disappearing into the bedroom as she mutters, "That's cheesy, Ash."

Asher turns to shoot me a quick smile of departure before following after Emmie, sighing as he mumbles, "Then I guess it's a good thing you won't remember that in the morning." The door to the guest room soon closes, leaving me alone with Blake, a passed out Wells, cuddling Charlie and Violet, and Jay who has fallen asleep with his cashews in hand.

So basically just me and Blake.

I turn my attention to her, raising my eyebrows to acknowledge all of the crazy going on around us. Blake returns my smile knowingly. She rises to her feet, biting the corner of her lip as she surveys the people snoring around us, gaze wide as it meets mine, as if asking how to get out of this mess.

I raise a finger to my lips to indicate to be quiet, gesturing to the kitchen with a tilt of my head. Blake catches my drift, treading softly on her heels to follow me into the next room.

We've only just turned to face each other after entering the kitchen when Thorne appears, expression worn and conflicted, most likely wondering how he's supposed to house so many drunks in his apartment.

"Hey," Thorne greets as he leans against the doorframe, nodding as he glances from me to Blake. "You two need a place to stay? I'm sure we've got room somewhere."

I shake my head. "I'm just gonna head home. Thanks though, man."

"No problem." Thorne turns to Blake. "What about you, Rhodes? I'm sure I can push Wells off the couch if you need somewhere to crash."

Blake smiles, a small chuckle escaping her lips. "Thanks, but I think I'm just gonna go home, too. But . . ." Blake trails off. "I got a ride on the way here, so . . ."

"I can drop you off," I offer. "I don't mind."

"Are you sure?" Blake's expression looks guilty, as if she feels bad for making me go out of my way.

"Positive," I assure Blake, flashing her a smile. "It's not a problem."

"Okay," Blake agrees with a coy nod. "Thanks, Noah."

Thorne studies the two of us intently, lips pursed as if he wants to say something. I can feel those piercing green eyes of his on me, watching closely. He must decide better than to voice his thoughts, because he soon clears his throat and says, "Well, if you two are set, don't let me hold you up. I'm gonna go to bed. See you in the morning."

"See you then," I agree. Thorne takes a step forward, fist bumping me in departure.

"Take care, Reed," he murmurs as he pats my shoulder. "Good game today, by the way. Though I can't say I was sad to see you lose."

I shake my head. "I'm gonna get you next time."

"We'll see about that." Thorne turns to Blake, offering one of his rare, genuine smiles. "Night, Rhodes. Thanks for taking care of my girl tonight. And watch out for this one, too." Thorne points at me with his thumb, adding, "He needs it."

"Will do," Blake assures him with a laugh, grinning. "Goodnight, Thorne." I watch as the two embrace, Thorne's arms wrapping around her frame protectively. He leans down to whisper something in her ear that is incoherent to me, and I watch as Blake nods in response, her back to me.

The two break apart and Blake's gaze flits over mine as she heads for the door. Thorne offers me one last nod before turning around and wandering off to his bedroom, leaving me alone with Blake once gain. Moments later, Blake and I descend the stairs from the apartment complex, heading for my truck that is parked in the lot.

The night air is black and foggy, blocking most of the stars from view. It's a strange night for the season, murky and dark, a chill to the air. The moon is mostly blocked from view due to the abundance of clouds out tonight.

"Thanks again for the ride," Blake says as she slides into the passenger seat as I close my own door. "You really didn't have to go to the trouble."

"It's no trouble," I assure her. "Besides, what was I supposed to do? Leave you there to share a couch with Wells?"

Blake smiles at my teasing. I'm glad to see that she isn't putting on a cold front around me for the first time since we've been alone together in my return to Magnolia Heights. Maybe this is because she's had alcohol tonight, or maybe we've both finally moved on from the past.

"My very one knight in shining armor," Blake jokes back. I can feel her gaze scrutinizing me as she murmurs, "Or should I say my knight in a t-shirt and scruffy jeans."

"I'm saving my tux for tomorrow," I play along. I notice Blake grinning out of the corner of my eye as I turn onto the highway. I also notice her shiver, running har hands over her bare arms for warmth. I instinctively go to adjust the AC to make sure the air is warm, reaching for the jacket I left in the middle seat to hand to her.

"Sorry it's chilly. The air takes a minute to warm up." I extend the jacket to her.

"I'm okay," Blake says all too quickly, eyeing my jacket without making a move to grab it. "You don't have to do that."

I risk glancing at her as I continue to hold out the jacket, telling her, "I'm not using it. And you're cold."

Blake hesitates a moment before taking the jacket, pulling it on wordlessly. Seeing her in my clothes brings back memories, and I force myself to keep my eyes on the road to keep my mind from wandering to dangerous territory.

"Should I drop you off at your dorm or your parents?" I ask. I know the university is officially out for the summer, which means most students have moved off campus.

"Well . . ." Blake trails off, turning away from looking out of the window to face me, wearing a shy smile. "I know it's late, but do you think we could make a quick stop? We don't have to, but I haven't eaten all night, and—"

"You haven't ate?" I interrupt, turning to face Blake without thinking about keeping my eyes on the road. "Blake," I say in a warning tone, concern lacing the word.

"Don't fuss at me," Blake says. "I just didn't think about it, I guess."

"I know a diner that stays open through the night," I tell her. "I should get on you for skipping meals, though."

"I'm sorry, Mr. Reed," Blake teases with a mischievous expression. "I didn't know you were my father."

I wet my lips as I bite back a smile, shaking my head as Blake giggles softly next to me. The sound is beautiful and melodic, lingering in my head even after it's gone. Gripping the steering wheel, I wonder if the girl next to me knows what she does to me, how strong her hold over me is.

"You better be glad I'm not," I play along, "because then I'd have to get on you about the underage drinking, too. Last I checked you weren't twenty-one, sweetheart."

"Please," Blake scoffs. "You're, like, the president of underage drinking, Reed. You can't talk."

"Actually"—I flash Blake a rueful smile—"I'm talking right now."

"You're not funny," Blake mumbles as I pull into a parking space at the diner I'd suggested, stopping my car as I take the key out of the ignition.

"You better take that back before I make you pay for your own food," I warn Blake teasingly, watching as she beams at me before sliding out of the truck, still wearing my jacket.

____

a/n: my mouth hurts