"You're actually upset right now? Look at everything the world has given you, Luke."
"And that's great, but I'd rather have you."
• the story before "count on me" by sircalyum • book 1
// smut included //
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
i expect y'all to both thank me & then hate me for what lies ahead ;) truly the best & worst thing i've maybe ever written ... hah ok
SUNDAY, A.M. It was sometime past one in the morning when Luke and I were on our way home. We had somehow spent four hours at the party without talking to more than three people—we were simply entertaining each other. We had surpassed our tipsy promise and were starting to sober up from a very alcohol-heavy night together. When Luke's driver dropped us off at his place, we were both giggly, wobbly, and ready for bed. While more sober than intoxicated, it was clear we still had plenty of ways to go before reaching complete sobriety.
"Remember meeting Harry?" Luke asked as we walked into his apartment building and headed toward the elevator.
"Oh my god, that was so embarrassing!" I gasped as I suddenly remembered the start of our night and Luke couldn't hold back his laughter. "I can't believe you reminded me," I pouted, hitting Luke's arm gently as we stepped inside the elevator. "Oh, hell. I feel like this is gonna make me dizzy."
"The elevator?" Luke asked with furrowed brows as the doors began to close. I nodded and Luke smiled widely before stepping toward me and wrapping his arms around me tightly. "I'll keep you grounded, just don't think about it." I laughed at Luke's method of preventing me from becoming dizzy and I melted in his arms, liking the support he was providing. "You smell so nice."
"You smell good, too," I told Luke as I closed my eyes in satisfaction. "Like a nice man who works in a candle factory, but only makes the kind of candles that smell like warmth and spices." Luke laughed softly near my ear at my words and I couldn't help but smile wider as he kept me in his arms. The sound of the elevator doors opening brought me back to reality and I sighed quietly after realizing I'd have to walk myself to Luke's apartment.
"C'mere, you." To my surprise, Luke gracefully swooped me up into his arms—bridal style.
"What are you doing?" I asked Luke through a giggle, but I didn't dare fight against his action.
"I know you're tired and while your shoes are hot, they look painful as shit."
"You're a smart one," I told Luke as I gently booped his nose. Luke set me down as we reached his door and I leaned against the wall as I watched him get his keys out. "I feel so funny right now... I haven't been that drunk since my sophomore year of college. I'm not even wasted anymore, it's just the residual feeling."
"Is it a good kind of funny, at least?" Luke asked, seeming worried that I wasn't feeling well.
"It's a very good kind of funny." I took a step toward Luke and leaned up as I kissed his jaw—I had meant to hit his cheek, but I hadn't calculated my aim so well. However, finding myself so close to him and having little self-restraint, I started to kiss down his jaw to his neck. Luke breathed in sharply, letting me continue for a second before gently stopping me. "Sorry," I apologized as my cheeks began to heat up.
