Cheek to Cheek

Chapter 22

A/N: I didn't want to make you guys wait too long this time, so here's the next chapter! Don't get too frustrated with me! Thanks for the votes, comments, and fans, and please keep them coming! Much appreciated!

“You know, when I imagined coming to save you like a knight in shining armor, this isn’t what I had in mind,” Louie complained. For once, I was relieved Louie was there and that I was sitting in the passenger seat of his car. I heard light snores coming from behind me where Tabby had fallen asleep.

“Yeah, well you acting like a knight in shining armor doesn’t come by often, so stop complaining,” I retorted. Louie looked hurt as he drove further away from the madhouse.

“You wake me up to come pick up you and your drunk friend, and this is the thanks I get? Some gratitude from the damsel in distress,” he commented bitterly with a sour expression plastered on his face. I gazed out the window and considered the fact that he had agreed to help me.

“You’re right,” I whispered. “Thank you.” Louie was taken back a little by what I said, but tried not to put too much into it.

“No problem,” he said calmly. I had given him the directions to Tabby’s house, and he knew where he was going. It was silent for a few moments, with the only sounds heard being Tabby’s light snoring in the back. We neared Tabby’s street as her snoring got louder. Louie resorted to turning on the radio to a medium-low volume.

“Man, we should have stuffed her in the trunk,” he said. I shot him a dirty look, to which he didn’t seem to care. He only smiled.

“I’m kidding. But seriously, she does snore loudly,” Louie stated. I shrugged absentmindedly.

“I guess that’s what alcohol can do to you,” I remarked. Louie nodded in agreement, grasping the steering wheel with both hands.

“Yeah. So what does your knight in shining armor get for saving the fair maiden and her drunk friend? A kiss, perhaps?” he joked. I shook my head, giggling.

“How about getting to live to see another day?” I sarcastically suggested. Again, he pretended to be hurt, but smiled.

“Come on. I deserve a little something, don’t I?” he said, pouting his lower lip. I looked away, again giggling at his sudden demands.

“How about a hug?” I offered. He shook his head, stopping at a stoplight. He took this time to get a good full look at me.

“How about a kiss?” he asked. After tonight, I didn’t want to think about kisses for the moment. I dismissed the idea completely.

“How about a hug?” I repeated. This did not seem to satisfy him. He pouted his bottom lip at me again and pretended to sniffle.

“Come on, on the cheek?” he suggested. I thought about it for a moment, but did not give in.

“How about a hug? Final offer,” I stated. He looked beaten, and he fixed his eyes back on the road as the light turned green.

“Fine,” he said bitterly. “But it better be one hell of a hug.” I laughed, running my fingers through my hair. I watched the houses pass by when I realized the familiarity of them. Tabby’s street was the next one on the right, and he turned into it.

Then, I realized a big problem. I had to sneak Tabby into her own house without her mom  realizing she was drunk. Oh, she was going to owe me big time.

We pulled into Tabby’s driveway. The kitchen light was still on, and I nervously chewed on my fingernails.

“Turn off the car,” I said quickly. Louie did what he was told and stayed put. He glanced at me and nudged me with his arm.