The Boy Next Door

Three | 6 Months Ago

Happy 23rd to me.

I pounded back another shot and dropped the glass sloppily back onto the counter. A hiccup bubbled up from my throat.

"Hey, slow down, Danny," Sean said, easing a cup of water towards me. "It's still early. You don't want to get shitfaced when we've barely started."

Parker made an impatient noise. He pushed his way in front of Sean, blocking him out of sight. Parker motioned to the bartender for two more shots. "Simmons, chill. It's his birthday. If he doesn't throw up at least once tonight, then we haven't done our jobs." He handed me one before clinking his glass against mine. "Happy birthday, dude."

"Thanks," I mumbled between hiccups.

Leon grinned. "When we're out, so is Papa Sean. He's like a helicopter mom. Gotta make sure everyone is drinking enough water and that no one is being roofied."

"Fuck off, Leon," Sean said. "The next time you're too plastered to walk, I'm going to leave your sorry ass on the sidewalk."

Leon said something back to him, but I didn't hear it.

My head was foggy, but I was still thinking about it.

Holden was supposed to be here today. We had planned for his first visit to be for my birthday, but at the last minute, he postponed the trip.

Holden Rowe: I'm sorry. I really wanted to be with you on your birthday. My parents are asking about the trip...and I just can't deal. I'll try to make it out there next week. Happy birthday Daniel.

When I read it, I was hit with such a strong sense of déjà vu. I felt like even though so much time has passed, nothing had really changed.

The reason why we broke up in the first place was because he didn't want anyone knowing about us. Back in high school, we were a secret. I was out and he wasn't, so all our time together was spent in empty classrooms or in his bedroom when his family wasn't home.

And then, one day, when his sister came home early from soccer practice and almost caught us fooling around in his room, he freaked out. Holden broke up with me the next day. All communication ceased after that.

That was, until I moved to California.

Getting his text earlier tonight messed me up enough that I thought it was a good idea to down four shots in the last half hour.

Happy fucking birthday to me.

The rest of the night was almost a blur.

I remember drinking more and more, but not being able to forget how alone I felt. Even though I was surrounded by my friends, I felt like there was a barrier separating me from them.

I dropped my head onto the counter of the bar, cursing Holden and cursing Kansas and cursing why everything could be so complicated, even though we were living in the twenty-first century.

"Come on, buddy. Let's get you back home," Sean said, grabbing onto my arm. "Parks, help me out. He can barely stand."

Parked looked torn as he pulled himself away from the curvy redhead to loop my other arm around his shoulders. He grunted once. "Jesus. For such a skinny guy, you sure weight a whole fucking lot, Cohen."

My head rolled against Sean's shoulder and settled there.

Leon glanced over. "Is he okay?"

They managed to get me into the passenger seat of the car.