I had some help

Thirty-three

Alex stumbled into her hotel room alone, surprised to see Caleigh sitting on the bed. "CALEIGH!" Alex called out, her voice slurred but filled with excitement.

"Alex, how are you?" Caleigh asked, quickly getting up to give Alex a hug.

"Great." Alex slurred, her balance unsteady as she wrapped her arms around Caleigh.

Caleigh pulled back slightly, looking into Alex's eyes with concern. "Are you sure you're okay? You seem a bit... off."

Alex laughed, a bit too loudly. "Just had a few drinks. Or maybe more than a few, I lost count." She admitted, swaying slightly.

Caleigh guided Alex to sit down on the bed. "Sit down before you fall over." She said gently, helping Alex get comfortable. "I came as soon as Michael called. He said you needed me."

Alex's expression softened, tears welling up in her eyes. "It's been a rough day, Caleigh. Morgan.. He.. he got someone else pregnant." She confessed, her voice breaking.

Caleigh hugged her again, tighter this time. "Oh, Alex, I'm so sorry. I'm here now. You'll get through this."

Alex nodded, leaning into Caleigh's embrace, grateful for her friend's presence. Despite the alcohol clouding her mind, she felt a flicker of hope knowing she wasn't alone in this.

Later, Alex texted Lainey to come over. Twenty minutes later, there was a knock on the door. Alex was already asleep, so Caleigh opened the door and let Lainey in.

"How is she?" Lainey asked, walking in and sitting next to the girls.

"Sad, stressed, confused." Caleigh answered, looking at Alex. "Even in sleep, she looks deeply troubled." Caleigh said looking at Alex with concern.

Alex shot up. "Lainey?" She asked gently, looking around the room, expecting to see Morgan.

"Where's Morgan?" Alex asked the girls.

"He's staying in one of the other rooms. You both need space." Caleigh explained, while Lainey nodded in agreement.

Alex nodded silently and laid back down, looking much calmer this time as exhaustion pulled her back into sleep.

Meanwhile, in the room next door, Morgan stumbled inside, collapsing onto Michael’s bed, clinging to a half-empty beer bottle. His eyes were glazed, the alcohol making his Southern drawl even thicker than usual.

“Mike, man, I gotta tell you somethin'.” Morgan slurred, nearly tipping the bottle as he tried to sit up.

Michael watched him, concern flickering behind his amused smile. He’d seen Morgan drunk before, but tonight was different—he could feel it in the air. "What’s up, dude? You good?"

Morgan laughed bitterly, shaking his head. "Nah, man. Not when it comes to her." His words hit with weight, the kind that didn’t need further explanation.

Michael knew "her" always meant Alex.

Michael sighed softly, bracing himself. "Alex?" He asked, though he already knew the answer.

Morgan nodded, leaning back against the headboard, eyes distant. "She's in my life, man... but a fingertip away." He laughed again, though it lacked any humor. "She's so close. I can see her, talk to her, but I can't have her. Not the way I used to. I can’t touch her, man. I’m right here, but she’s always just out of reach. Always a step ahead.”

Michael’s chest tightened at the sadness in Morgan’s voice. He didn’t say anything, letting Morgan spill the truth he’d clearly been holding back for too long.