wild and running || a.b. (series on hold)

Chapter 28

We arrive in the dining area to see Marie's antique chandelier smashed on her marble table. "Is everyone alright?" She asks. Multiple murmurs of, "Yes," and, "We're fine." Were heard. Someone cuts off the music and then the front door opens. "Oh, sorry I'm late." A British accent announces. I look down the hallway where Clay and Andy were standing, they seemed to be back to normal now. Clay has always had quite an attitude. Standing with them is a guy with long, wavy brown hair. He has adorable freckles and green eyes that I could see all the way from where I was standing. They all start walking this way and my focus changes back to the broken chandelier. 

"Alright. Party is over! Thank you all for coming!" Marie announced while walking to the front door to hold it open for everyone. Slowly, the large group of people files out. Finally, Marie closes the door and sighs, "Alright." She says. We all stand there silently. "Who's this?" She asks while pointing. To the British man. "The name is James." He smiles and adorable dimples appear on his cheeks. Marie's eyes glisten at the sound of his accent. She smiles, "You're a bit late aren't you?" She asks. "Yeah." He says while trailing out the word. I giggle to myself and Andy looks at me. His face is ghostly pale. We walks over broken glass and opens the front door. The sound of vomit is heard faintly from where we stand. I cringe in disgust. 

"He deserves it." Clay shrugs. 

I roll my eyes playfully at his attitude and go outside to help Andy. I step outside into the cool breeze of an autumn night and see him leaning against the house wall. "What were you thinking? You leave in the morning for California. Why would you do this to your body?" I ask him in disappointment. "I've been so stressed." He whimpers. I walk through the grass and rub his back. "Why?" I ask. "Making you feel like shit, work, mental problems, smoking, drinking..." He sobs. My heart sinks for him. "I stopped drinking and smoking when I met you. It's so hard to stay away." He explains. "We'll get through this, okay?" I say quietly.  He sniffles. "I'm going to go get you a towel." 

I walk into Marie's bathroom and wet a rag with cold water. I watch as the water spreads along the dry material. I had no clue that Andy dealt with these things. I walked through the dining room where Clay, Marie, and James were cleaning up the glass from the chandelier. I wonder how it managed to fall?

My eyes connect to Clay, and my mouth gets dry. 

I quickly walk back to Andy and hand him the towel. He takes it and wipes off his face. "I'm sorry." He groans. "It's alright. We need to get home. Your flight is in a few hours and you need to sleep some of this off. Come on. Let's go tell everyone we're leaving."

We walk back inside and Andy grabs my hand. By the time we return, all of the glass has been picked up. "We're gonna go. Andy leaves for California in a few hours." I say sleepily. "Let me take you two home." Clay says as his eyes connect to Andy and I's joined hands.

That's the last thing I want right now.

"I've got it." I say. While giving Marie a hug. "I'll come tomorrow and help you pick up." I tell her. She thanks me and I turn to Clay. "Nice seeing you again." I say quickly, and turn to James. "No hug? Aren't I just special." Clay says. I exhale quietly and hold my arms out for a hug. Although his arms are around me, pulling me together, he's ripping me apart.

"Nice to meet you, James." I say while shaking his hand. 

I help Andy in the car, and start it. "I open my lungs dear..." And murmurs in the passengers seat. He sounds so exhausted, but his voice is still beautiful. He sings quietly as I drive back to the apartment. I park his Lexus and help him out of the car again. "We're almost there." I say while putting my arm around him. We walk together to the apartment and I kick open the door with my heel. I set my purse don't on the counter and climb up the stairs with half- conscious Andy leaning on me. Size difference made the process about ten times more difficult.