Intoxicating

You Got A Fetish For My Love

Leia's POV

The next morning, I stumbled into the kitchen, my hair a mess, eyes barely open, and wearing the first T-shirt I could find. The remnants of sleep clung to me as I tried to shake off the grogginess. My mom was already seated at the kitchen table, a glass in hand. I didn't need to guess-it wasn't orange juice.

"Well, look who finally decided to join the living," my mom said with a smirk, eyes scanning me from head to toe. "You look like hell, honey."

I grumbled under my breath, heading straight for the fridge, not in the mood for this. My mom never missed a chance to pick at me.

"Rough night?" my mom asked, chuckling. "Or maybe Timothée wore you out?"

I froze, my grip tightening on the milk carton. I could feel my temper flare immediately. "What's that supposed to mean?" I muttered, turning my head to glare at her.

My mom shrugged innocently, but the sly smile on her face gave her away. "Oh, nothing. Just a little birdie told me that Timothée drove you home last night. And as far as I know, he's dating Courtney, not you."

I slammed the milk on the counter, my patience already hanging by a thread. That little birdy had been Zanny. "There's nothing going on, Mom. He just gave me a ride. That's it."

But my mom wasn't about to let it go, clearly enjoying herself too much. "Guys don't just drive their girlfriend's best friend home without expecting something in return." She paused, leaning back in her chair with a grin.

My stomach twisted with anger. "Are you serious right now?" I snapped, glaring at her. "It wasn't like that. Nothing happened."

My mom laughed, clearly amused by my reaction. "You two don't even know each other that well, right? And yet, there he was, playing the knight in shining armor for you."

I felt my face flush with frustration, my heart pounding in my chest. "Mom, I'm telling you, nothing happened. He's dating Courtney. He was just being nice."

But my mom wasn't buying it. She raised her glass to her lips, still smirking. "Oh, I'm sure. Just a nice, helpful guy, huh?"

My breath came quicker, my hands shaking as I tried to keep my temper in check. "Can you stop? I'm done talking about this," I muttered, grabbing my glass of milk and storming out of the kitchen.

Behind me, I could still hear my mom's laughter echoing through the hallway.

I slammed my bedroom door behind me, a little too hard, but I didn't care. It was barely 10:30 in the morning, and my mom was already drunk. Of course, she was. I should be used to it by now, but every day it feels like some fresh new wound I haven't quite gotten used to. Her sarcastic digs, the teasing-always pushing me, as if I wasn't already fighting to keep it together.

I set my glass of milk on the nightstand and collapsed onto my bed. My phone was the only distraction I could think of, so I grabbed it and unlocked the screen. There it was-Colby's text from last night. I must've fallen asleep before replying.

Colby: I'm sorry for calling you a whore, I didn't mean it. I was just mad. You know I love you.

I sighed, feeling a familiar warmth spread through me. It shouldn't have made me happy, but it did. I knew it was messed up that him saying he loved me after calling me that actually made me feel something good. I should've been mad, but all I wanted was for someone to love me. To care about me. And Colby, for all his faults, said the right thing when I needed it.

I stared at the message for a second longer before typing.

Me: I love you too.

The second I hit send, I tossed my phone on the bed and closed my eyes. Maybe I shouldn't let things with Colby affect me this way, but it's like... I'm just so desperate for someone to show me I matter. It's pathetic, I know, but in that moment, I didn't care. All I needed was to feel wanted. Even if it was complicated and messy.