Midnight Sky (Book 1/3 The Anderson Brothers Series)

Spiral

Lauren

Getting booted from work on a Monday was not how I wanted to start my week. After leaving Uncle Ash's and Aunt V's house, I ignored everyone. My parents called, my grandparents, siblings,, aunts, uncles. My phone was blowing up. Even my cousins were getting the cold shoulder. I was so over this shit. I'm tired of people telling me what I should and shouldn't do. I know my body and my limits. Back the fuck off.

I decided to have a party with some friends and things went overboard. I woke up, puking my brains out. This is by far the worst hangover I've ever had in my life. Don't mix light and dark liquor, kids.

Waking up, I realized I was in the bathroom. I must've fell asleep in here. Next thing I felt was someone shaking me awake.

"Come on, Lauren. Open your eyes."

I couldn't make out who was talking to me. I was really out of it. I groaned and felt a wave of nausea hit me. I barely made it to the toilet before I was puking my brains out again. Once I was finished, I was dry heaving. This was bad. This was all bad.

My body jolted as a wet rag touched my skin; but then relaxed. I felt my body being lifted off the bathroom floor before I felt the softness of the bed. The room wasn't bright at all. Slowly opening my eyes, there stood Uncle Asher.

"Uncle Ash..."

"Shh. Right now you just need to rest. We can talk later."

He sat on the bed next to me, rubbing my back.

"I hate to see you like this, Lo. We have to figure this out, baby girl."

I didn't say anything, happy that I had comfort right now. I hated being sick, but even more so, being alone when I was. This was known knowledge to my family and I don't ever recall being alone when sick. Someone was always with me.

"I'm sorry," I whispered.

I felt hot tears running down my face.

"Shh. It's alright. We'll figure it out. Right now, just relax. Do you still feel sick?"

"No. I feel gross. I probably look as horrible as I feel."

"No, you don't."

"What time is it?"

"Just after 9am."

"Uncle Ash, I'll be fine. You can go to work."

"That's why I'm here."

I sat up too fast, grabbing my head. Uncle Ash handed me Tylenol and water.

"Uncle Zach?"

"In the flesh."

I had a very close relationship with all of my uncles even though they were great uncles, it didn't make a difference.

"How much trouble am I in?"

I felt like I was a teenager all over again getting caught doing something I had no business.

"You'll be getting an earful. Once you're feeling better, you're heading home to Texas," Uncle Zach stated.

"Wait..."

"Yeah, it's not really a debate," he added.

"I'll be back in a few hours. Don't give Zach a hard time."

Uncle Ash kissed my forehead and I heard the door close moments later.

"How'd you guys find me? I turned off my location and..."

"And that was stupid to do. Your cousins got wind of you staying here from some of the people you were partying with. They couldn't come themselves, so they told Asher."