My Sister's Boyfriend's Brother {bxb}

20

"Bottoms up!" Gavin shouted and together we all threw our heads back.

I was in the kitchen with Gavin, Hugo, Preston, and Quinn, downing countless shots just to keep up with them. The world started with a slow wobble, like the ground isn't quite sure where it's supposed to be. The room seemed to tilt a degree or two to the left, then corrected itself, then tilted again. My laughter, if it could be called that, sounded thick and sluggish, bubbling up from somewhere deep in my chest. Every touch was amplified. The scratch of my shirt against my skin felt like sandpaper, and the ice clinking in my glass sounded like a symphony. My head felt full of cotton wool, thoughts sluggish and slow. Simple tasks like focusing my eyes or picking up a conversation took a monumental effort.

There's a pleasant warmth blooming in my chest, spreading outwards to my limbs. It felt like a fuzzy blanket against a cold night. Worries that loomed large earlier seemed to shrink, pushed away by a tidal wave of indifference. A goofy grin stretched across my face, unprompted and uncontrollable. But there was a tightrope walk here. This warmth, this feeling of carefree ease, was enticing, but it bordered on something more dangerous. The room started to spin a little faster, the edges blurring. My stomach churned, sending a wave of nausea threatening to rise. Maybe one more sip... but before I knew it I was bending over the toilet bowl, throwing up everything that I had consumed throughout the day. Piling on top of all of that was the liquor.

"There you go," I heard Preston's voice speak to me in a soft tone while he rubbed his hand on my back.

This was embarrassing.

I sat back on my feet, nearly falling over on my side but since Preston was still close beside me I laid my head on his chest. He let out a faint chuckle and said, "I didn't know I was going to have to babysit tonight."

That comment alone made my cheeks burn a bright shade of red. "Sorry," I apologized meekly.

"It's okay."

I wiped the back of my arm across my face and sat up so I could look him in the eyes. "I'll meet you out there."

He waved his hand and shook his head. "I don't plan on going back anytime," he said then pulled out his phone most likely to check the time. "Unless you..."

I quickly shook my head. "No," I said. "I don't think I could take another shot to match them." We both laughed together and once it faded I decided to take the lead since Preston wasn't planning on doing it anytime soon. "Sounds like... we're going to... your... place?"

That came out more like a question than a statement.

"You sure you don't want me to drop you off at your house?" he questioned with a raised eyebrow.

"I'm sure," I said with more confidence this time.

I did admire how sweet and caring Preston was of me but I wanted him to understand that I made an (unspoken) promise to him. I wanted to go over to his place.

"Okay," Preston said with a grin and I felt one begin to appear on mine. "Here."

He lifted my arm up, wrapping it around his neck and I felt his arm wrap around my waist. Together we both rose up from the floor and stumbled to the door. He pulled it open then stepped out into the hallway where a flood of teenagers were "dancing" at. There were a few "excuse me" and "sorry" while we pushed through the crowd so we could reach the front door.

Okay, I'll be honest here. I really wasn't that drunk. I could handle my liquor but this wasn't the normal amount that I would drink. Willingly. That's why I threw up. I could walk on my own and function on my own but there was something about being in Preston's arms while he was basically dragging my body through the house that made me feel safe. I liked to be in his embrace and I liked the way he smelled. I couldn't figure out what cologne he was wearing but that was going to have to be a question for another day when I wasn't pretending to be wasted.

"Ashton?" I heard Sophia's voice call out from behind us.

Crap. We were inches from the front door. Preston swung our bodies around so we were facing her and I watched the disgust quickly appear on her face.

"Damn what happened to you?" she questioned then let out a laugh.

"One too many drinks," Preston answered for me.

"Jasper did say you don't like drinking," Sophia stated. "That's why I'm surprised you showed up." She shrugged her shoulders. "And now you're leaving."

Was she hurt? Did I just hear a softness in her tone from that last line?

"I'm sorry you weren't supposed to see me," I mumbled out but she still heard me.

"Sure," was all she said. "Get home safe." Then with that she turned on her heel, weaving through the crowd, getting lost in an instant.

Now we really had to leave because it wasn't long before Sophia found Sasha along with Ryder then Jasper would soon follow right after. Preston turned us back to the front door, taking those last few steps then pulled open the front door and we were able to successfully sneak out of the party.

Mission accomplished.

"Careful," Preston said, helping me in the passenger seat.

I let out a groan, cause that's usually the sound you make when you're struggling right? I reached my hand up so I could put on my seatbelt once Preston closed the door then walked around the front of his car so he could get in on the drivers side. I leaned my head against the window and when I felt the car shake I knew he was inside. As Preston started the engine, the faint scent of his cologne filled the air, a mix of something warm and musky. The drive to his place was short and filled with not so awkward silence. When we pulled into the driveway of a charming two-story house, my apprehension intensified. This wasn't a party anymore; this was Preston's territory, and even after the countless times I went to Jasper's house I felt like a trespasser on unfamiliar ground.

Preston led me inside, the house quiet and dimly lit. The air hung heavy with the lingering scent of sandalwood incense. I felt a wave of shyness wash over me. I hadn't even considered what was supposed to happen after we left the party.

"Can I meet your cat?" I asked to form some sort of conversation.

"My mom took her to her parents' house," Preston said as he walked us to his bedroom.

I glanced around his living room, my eyes falling on a plush leather sofa and a roaring fireplace in the living room. The image was suddenly too domestic, too intimate, almost like this was all staged. The bedroom was bathed in the warm glow of a bedside lamp. Clothes were strewn across the floor, testament to a life lived in comfortable chaos. Preston tossed his keys onto the nightstand and he let me carefully fall back on his bed.

"Did you want some water?" he asked and I shook my head. "Medicine?" I shook my head once again. "You don't have a headache?"

"No but if you keep asking me questions I might get one," I joked. When I lifted my head up only slightly, his gaze on me was unwavering.

"So," Preston said, taking a slow step closer. "What happens now?"

I held my breath, then sat up, my gaze darting around the room before locking back on Preston. I had no idea. I've never been alone with someone who I kissed more than once and in their bedroom, let alone contemplated something like this. Yet, something about Preston, his quiet confidence, the way his eyes seemed to see right through me, made me feel strangely safe.

"I don't know," I said softly. "I... I've never done this before," I confessed, my voice barely a whisper.

Preston's smile softened, the playful glint in his eyes replaced by a gentle understanding. "What? Stay over at someone else's house or pretend to be drunk?" he asked, stepping even closer.

My heart hammered against my ribs.

How did he know?

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