Past, Present and Future

Eric's Dilemna

I know that Bruce likes me a lot so I need to not lead him on. I invite him over to dinner again so I can talk to him. He come over with a bottle of wine which is probably going to make this worse. I can't allow either one of us to get drunk because we'll wind up together and I don't mean dating.

"Bruce, the wine is a nice gesture but we better stick to soda or water." 

He looks confused so I try to explain the reasoning. "I know you like me a lot and want to be with me, but I have a boyfriend."  He leaves suddenly which causes me to quickly follow. "Bruce! Wait!" 

I lose him in the crowd so I turn back to go back to my place. Feeling bad, I open the wine and take a long sip. Soon I've finished the whole bottle and I still feel bad. A knock on my door causes me to jump. Looking through the peephole, I see Bruce there. He's been crying so I let him in. He's also wasted.

"I came back cause I left my house keys. I'll get them and leave." He tells me, never looking up from the floor. Reaching out, I gently take his wrist and pull him towards the couch. "You're in no condition to go home, and I can't drive you."

Looking at me, he sits down and stays there. I sit beside him and try to convince him he needs sleep. "Look, come with me. We can share my bed."

I stand up to head to the bedroom and I hear him follow. "Bruce, whatever you do, don't puke on me." 

"Sure thing Eric. I-----" 

He throws up all over the floor suddenly narrowly missing my feet. I roll my eyes and usher him to the bathroom. While he throws up in there, I realize this situation will not look good if Gene happens to come over and finds Bruce in my bed. 

I stick my head in the door to check on Bruce and find him trying to turn the shower on. "I threw up all over myself." he mumbles. 

Somehow I manage to get him cleaned up and into bed. when he falls asleep, I toss his clothes in the washing machine. Lord, help me. 

We wind up asleep in my bed. My head's spinning at the moment. I hate wine for this reason.