Too much

Chapter 44

"Addie, loosen up! We're gonna have fun!" Grace beamed as I stopped the car in front of Liam's Payne massive house down the road.

I sighed and followed her out of the car. I couldn't tell you what I was dreading more: the fact that Harry might be inside or the fact that everyone is going to love my cousin so much more than me. I really wish I hadn't agreed to come to this. . . There was a reason I told Harry I didn't like going to parties.

Once we got inside, Grace jumped with excitement and I rolled my eyes at her. "Holy shit, they do have better parties in England! Addie introduce me to all of your friends!"

"Okay," I agree and take her hand as she is momentarily distracted by some guy walking by.

"Wait, come here." She pulls my arm towards the kitchen. "You need a drink and so do I." She smirked while helping herself to the bottle of vodka. After pouring the clear liquid into two red plastic cups and mixing it with something to dilute it a little, she finally let me proceed in my introduction.

"I'm only having one drink Grace, one of us needs to stay sober." I inform her and guide her towards the group of people downstairs.

"Better you than me." She shrugs. "Okay, let's meet Addie's friends."

After introducing my cousin to just about everyone I knew, it was pretty obvious Grace had taken a liking to Niall, and I guess it worked out because he was the only single one in Harry's little circle of friends. I actually think Niall could be good for her. His sweet and caring personality might help balance her wild side.

Feeling somber again as the small amount of liquor I had consumed began to wear off, I went back upstairs to see if Alicia had come yet. Searching through most of the rooms, I ended up back in the kitchen pouring myself another drink. This will be my last one; I need to make sure Grace is okay because I know she'll get hammered tonight.

"So what was the point of your little act this morning if you were going to come anyway?" The familiar thick voice startled me as it came closer. Great, Harry's here. . . and the asshole side of him that I loathe is also here.

I turned around to confirm it was him and rolled my eyes when a smirk played on his perfect lips. Any other night I would have ran up and kissed them, but not today. I'm still angry for the way he spoke to me earlier, and I don't know what to say to him. I have so much going on in my life that it is almost too much for me to handle.

"Grace got an earlier flight and showed up today, she wanted me to take her." I inform him, and honestly I don't know why. I'm sure he'll just challenge it and make me feel worse than I already do.

"Ah, so your cousin can persuade you but I can't? Hmm." He said cooly and poured himself some of the cheap-looking whiskey.

With that, he walked away with his cup and found a seat next to Liam in the other room. Frustration, pain and anger began to boil in my body as I stood up and walked myself to the counter full of liquor. Not caring what I chose, I grabbed a bottle and poured a cup of something that smelled strong. I downed a quarter of the drink and chased it with whatever soda was next to the bottles. Wow, that burned, but as soon as I felt my fingers begin to tingle, I didn't mind.

"You made it!"

"Oh, hey Max," I slurred and smiled. "Yeah, Grace is downstairs."

The blonde boy sat at the stool next to me in the kitchen as I watched Harry in the other room. Harry didn't know my eyes had been glued to him laughing with the guys, but I couldn't stop, hoping he would realize I was thinking about him.

Once he sat, I turned away from my pathetic stalking and looked at Max. "That's cool, but you're the one I wanted to talk to."

"Oh, about what?" I said and downed the rest of my drink. The only bad thing about not drinking regularly is the fact that when you do, it only takes a little amount of alcohol to get drunk.