21 - Throw A Fit

"If one of these jackasses throws up in my car, I am going to throw a fit," Owen grumbled as he shoved Eli in the backseat. I was much more careful with helping Taylor sit comfortably, but she wasn't as far gone as Eli was.

I laughed, "I'm sure Eli would pay for it." I stumbled into the passenger's seat and buckled up, double-checking that my phone was still in my hand. It was.

Owen was giving me a look when I lifted my head, and I tilted my head to the side. "What?" I asked him.

He shook his head and pulled away from the curb outside of Georgia's house. The party inside was still loud, and I wondered why her neighbours didn't complain since she must often throw these parties.

I heard Taylor murmur, and minutes later, she was snoring from the back seat. I guess the car's rumbling put them both to sleep since I could see Eli was not conscious either. My eyes shut, wanting to follow their lead. If I didn't keep talking to Owen, it might lullaby me to sleep.

So I kept myself awake by reading directions to Owen. Although I knew where Eli's house was, I was too far gone, and it was too dark out for me to know which streets were which and I had only moved here a few months ago, so I think I deserve a break.

Owen kept asking me if I was sure we were going the right way as we got farther away from Georgia's, and I kept reassuring him that I knew where his house was. I wasn't that drunk.

When we finally pulled up to the front of Eli's, Owen's eyes were wide.

"Is there something wrong?" I asked him.

He shook his head and helped me get Eli out of the backseat.

"Do you need me to help you get him inside?" Asked Owen, staring at the large gate in front of us.

I shook my head and winced as Eli put a little too much of his body weight on me. "No, I texted Brodie. He's coming."

Owen shook his head, "You sure, Betty? I can wait with you and then drive you home."

I shook my head, "No, no, I'll get a ride home in a bit. Take care of Taylor."

Owen looked back at his car, where we could see a passed out Taylor through the window. He sighed and got back in the driver's seat.

"Phone me if you need me, okay?"

I smiled at him as he drove off, trying to hold Eli up. Damn, this boy was big.

All I had managed to do was walk up to the gate with Eli by the time Brodie had arrived.

"Oh, god," Brodie said while taking Elis arm off my shoulder and taking him from me. I straightened my back, and it cracked from the weight taken off of me.

I followed Brodie inside, and we noiselessly got Eli into his bedroom. I don't think Amber would be upset at Eli, but I had never met his dad, and I know it is best not to wake up parents when bringing home drunk kids.

Brodie threw Eli down onto his bed, and Eli groaned, obviously fighting sleep.

I giggled at the sound, and Brodie gave me a goofy look before turning Eli onto his back and taking off his shoes. Eli was probably gross from the dried blood on his hands, and the stench of beer was nauseating at this point, but the best we could do was get his shoes off and turn him over to his side.

"Does he throw up?" I asked Brodie.

He shook his head, finally getting off Eli's left shoe.

I walked over to turn on the light so we could see a little better and whimpered at the drastic change. I was still tipsy if not drunk myself, and it was brighter than I thought it would be.

Brodie turned Eli to his side and looked up at me. His smile turned into a frown.

"Oh my god, Betty, your head!" He said, getting up and coming to my side.

"What?" I asked. What the hell is wrong with my head?

"You have a huge red mark; it looks like it's bleeding a little." He said, leaning close to my face.

Oh. The bathroom door. I had already forgotten about that. Once I noticed, I winced. Ow that hurt more than I realized. I hope Taylor didn't realize, but she was probably too drunk to know what she had done. Either way, it was not her fault.

Brodie rushed to the bathroom and brought me back a facecloth.

"Here, let me," he said and delicately pressed the face cloth to my forehead. I smiled and reached up to take it from him in the right spot. Once he was sure I was holding it correctly, he let go.

I looked over at Eli. His hair was a mess, and his hands did have dried blood coating his knuckles. How many fights that boy has gotten into, and how many times Brodie has done this for him?

"Thanks, Brodie."

"Thanks for taking care of him," he said, gesturing to Eli. "What the hell happened? I mean, I get that he is drunk but your forehead and everything?"

"What do you think?" I asked, scoffing.

"A fight," he said like this was a common occurrence for him.

I nodded and winced when the cloth rubbed against my cut. "Why does Eli get in so many fights, Brodie?"

Brodie sighed, "I honestly have no clue. He dealt with mom dying a lot differently than I did. He was angry with the world and then angry with dad because he kind of faded for a while. I mean, my mom was so calm, and my dad has never been violent. Eli was just good at using his fists to solve problems, I guess. But he's so smart too it just doesn't make any sense. He has gotten better, though."

Brodie laughed, "Sometimes, I think he just wanted to be a 'bad boy,' even though he's just a giant nerd."

I giggled too.

"Why, though? Eli always has a reason to get in a fight even if it is a stupid reason."

I cringed, "Some asshole tried to kiss me."

Even though I would prefer for Eli not to get in fights, I am glad he got there when he did. I didn't want my first kiss to go to an asshole like Jackson.

Brodie burst out laughing, and I glared at him.

He quieted down, but he was still having a hard time hiding his grin, "I'm sorry for laughing, Betty, that is horrible, but I just know how much that would piss off Eli."

I nodded, and Brodie moved closer to me, taking the cloth from my hand to look at the cut. He went to the bathroom and rewetted the fabric as I sat in silence on the edge of Eli's bed. I wish the night could have gone as well as it had been originally. I was looking forward to THAT kiss.

Brodie came back and handed me the cloth. "Even though Eli was pissed, he probably should have cared a little more about you than beating up some asshole."

I shrugged, feeling the need to defend Eli. "He didn't have to hit him, but I mean, I appreciated him stepping in. I didn't want my first kiss to go to some asshole."

This time, Brodie didn't try to stop chuckling when I glared at him. "WHAT? Betty, you've never kissed anyone?! Are you serious? I can't believe that you and Eli have..." he trailed off into laughter, and I blushed and slumped on the bed, next to a completely obvious Eli.

"Shut up." I know it's a bit nuts that I have never kissed anyone, but I didn't need it rubbed in my face.

I sighed, "You know; I thought it was going to happen tonight, but, ya know."

Brodie grinned and moved to stand in front of me,

"You know that it could still happen tonight, right?" His smile was wicked. "Cause that kind of makes me want to kiss you."

I giggled, "Cause it would piss off, Eli?"

He leaned closer, "exactly." I could smell mint on his breath. He leaned away.

I was never worried he was going to kiss me. I did not doubt that Eli liked me as I want him now, so Eli would probably kill his brother.

"But really, no one?" Asked Brodie.

I shrugged, "I mean, I was never that interested in most people, and I liked a guy at my old school forever, but nothing ever happened with that, and I moved so... and now... Well, I guess it just hasn't happened yet."

I was never that interested in hooking up or having my kisses be meaningless. I like the idea of a relationship and true love more than I would admit, even to Eli.

Brodie laughed. "You want it bad."

I blushed. "NO!"

"I'll be sure not to tell my brother how badly you want him to kiss you."

I shook my head; this boy is nuts. I decided to change the subject. We do not need to talk about my lack of a dating history anymore. It is embarrassing enough to tell girls but to talk about it with the guy I like's little brother. "How did it go with that girl?" I asked. He had already sent me a picture, but I wanted the details.

He got a dreamy look on his face, "It was so great! She is just so sweet, and she loved the flowers I bought her. We have another date next weekend, to that balloon festival."

I nodded, "So I guess everyone goes to that?"

"Are you going with Eli?" he asks me.

I smile, "Yeah, I think so. Are you coming to the store opening tomorrow?" I invited Brodie when I invited all my friends. Strangely he's been almost as much a friend like everyone else.

He nods, grinning, "Of course! I wouldn't miss it." His phone buzzes, and he looks at it.

"Damn Betty, I am going to go to bed, though. Do you want me to call you an Uber?"

I shake my head, "It's okay, I will call one. You'll check on him, right?"

He nods, "I'll make sure he doesn't choke on his puke."

I give him a look, "you said he doesn't throw up."

"There's a first time for everything." Says Brodie, before leaving Eli's room and heading down the hallway. I take one last look at Eli, before turning off his light and shutting his door.

My Uber came in under ten minutes, and I was home shortly. I thanked the nice older man and crept into my house. The house was quiet. I hope my parents had a good night too, but I think they probably went to bed early since the grand opening is tomorrow.

I left a note on the fridge letting my parents know I was home. They would come in and wake me up when they needed me to get ready for tomorrow. Hopefully, I would be able to wake up on my own, but after tonight I had a feeling I would be up late, replaying Eli's words in my mind from earlier in the night.

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1883

"Cause I got issues

But you got 'em too

So give 'em all to me

And I'll give mine to you" - Julia Michaels