Chapter 7: Power Hour

SLOAN

“Gonna get me drunk?” I tease.

“Maybe, what are you like when you’re drunk?”

“I guess it depends on the company.”

Kade opens the car door for me, then rounds the car and joins me inside. “Explain.” He smiles as he starts the car.

“I don’t think I’ve been drunk with another human being since before I met Archie. He’d pick on me if I got sloppy and he always needs me to drive him home.”

“What about on your birthday?”

“I guess it depends on what day it falls.”

“What does that mean?”

“If it’s the weekend, then maybe Archie will take me to dinner and buy me a glass of wine. If it’s a weekday, I get flowers,” I explain.

“Wait, wait, my brain is fried.”

“What?”

“Stop me when I’m wrong. Archie doesn’t let you drink when you go out, and instead of taking care of you and getting you home safely, you take care of him.

“There is a world in which you’re okay with your boyfriend not seeing you on your birthday, not because he has a legitimate reason, but just because it’s a weekday.”

I didn’t stop him, because he isn’t exactly wrong.

“Since you didn’t stop me; I’m going to assume I’m right. Sloan—”

“Wait, one thing was wrong,” I add.

“What?”

“You said I’m okay with it. I’m not, but it’s just the way it is.”

“Why don’t you say something to him?”

“I, uh, well, honestly, I don’t think I ever realized how much it was bothering me until now,” I admit.

“How can that be?”

“I think I explained away his bad behavior because I was trying to stick to the plan.”

“Sloan, I’m not telling you how to live your life—maybe that works for you—but if you were mine, I’d spend every spare minute with you.

“I’d take off work on your birthday and I’d cuddle you to sleep whenever I could.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re beautiful, smart, and funny, and whoever gets to have you in their life should treat you like you’re precious.” He smiles so genuinely that it makes my heart flip.

“Kade…”

“I’m sorry, but it’s true.”

“How do you know? You barely know me.”

But instead of answering me, he sings “Crimson and Clover” while closing his eyes.

When he sings my favorite song again, I melt inside and almost lose myself in the moment. ~Is this real life?~ Maybe this is just a game to him but I like him too much to stay away from him.

“Kade, like, what’s the best-case scenario here?”

Kade smiles. “You’re happy and get what you deserve.”

He is quiet the rest of the way to my apartment; I can tell he’s thinking, “Kade? Is everything okay?”

“Yes, just trying to get my head right,” he says without looking at me.

“What do you mean?”

“You’re my friend…that’s it, and no matter how badly I want to grab your face and kiss you, I can’t. I need to get that into my head.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Stop, I knew what I was getting into. But Sloan, I can’t walk away from you,” he admits breathlessly.

“Why?”

“You’re it. You’re everything and you don’t even know it. Even if it’s only as a friend, I need you in my life.”

The rest of the ride is silent, and I can’t help thinking, what if Kade is better for me than Archie? What is Archie doing right now? Why do I want Kade to stay with me? ~What is happening?~

Before I know it, we’re pulling up in front of my building, and Kade seems to have come back to normal. “Come on, bad girl, let’s go get drunk.”

I pull him up the stairs and let him inside. Soon, he’s handing me another beer.

I laugh. “Nope, don’t open it.”

“Why?”

“Beer before liquor makes you sicker; liquor before beer, you’re in the clear.”

“What?”

“Just put them back.” I giggle before I go over to another countertop and start to hoist myself up until I’m standing on it.

“What are you doing?” Kade asks as he runs up behind me to make sure I don’t fall.

“Getting my hidden stash,” I explain.

I pass him a bottle of rum, and he laughs at me before helping me down.

“Why is that up there?”

“If I’m too drunk, then I can’t get it.”

He smiles. “Sloan, you’re the cutest.”

I laugh. “Okay, so listen, let’s do a power hour.”

“A what?”

“Do you have to be anywhere tomorrow?”

“Not exactly.”

“Okay.” I pull out a large pitcher and dump the rum into it, then empty a few cans of soda into it as well.

Kade laughs. “Why do I feel like you might be trying to kill me?”

“Are you saying I can out-drink you?” I tease.

“Absolutely not.”

“Come on, it’s just a sorority game, you can handle it.” I pass him two shot glasses and saunter to the couch, hoping I can entice him.

“Sloan, you know what you’re doing to me.”

“Hanging out with my best friend?”

He laughs. “Yeah, okay, let’s go with that.”

I search for a funny power hour on YouTube. “Every minute, you take a drink. Since it’s just us two, we will do half shots.”

“And what if I don’t want to?”

“Then you lose, and I get to decide your fate.”

“So, if you lose?”

“I suppose, you get to make me do something.”

“Sloan, this is too good to pass up.” He chuckles. “Buckle up, buttercup.”

Soon, the first song starts to play, and we take our first shot. The first few go by in a blur, and we’re laughing before I realize I’m losing myself a little bit.

An old Rihanna song comes on, and I can’t stop myself from dancing. “Come on, Kade!”

He stands up, and I grind my ass into him, just enjoying the moment.

“Sloan,” he groans.

The minute goes by, and we plop back onto the couch and take another shot. I turn to check on Kade, and our eyes meet, and for some reason, I really want to kiss him but I restrain myself.

“In Da Club” starts to play, and I can’t help myself. I’m dancing and swaying in front of Kade, and he wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me down.

“Sloan, I’m trying so hard to respect you, but you’re making me crazy.”

“Sorry, Kade, I didn’t mean to. I guess I was just—”

“Stop, you’re not doing anything wrong, but I’m not going to lay a hand on you until you deal with Archie. You’re endgame, and I know it. I won’t mess it up by moving too fast.”

“Kade—”

“Just trust me. Right now is not when we should talk about this. Let’s just have fun, but no more lap dances!”

“Okay, Kade.” I stop the video and look at him. “I’m sorry, I got caught up. I’m not trying to be an ass.”

“Sloan, it’s fine. I want you, and you know that—I’ve made no secret—but I’m not going there until you’re ready... even if party girl, here, is ready...

“I want the real thing; you’re worth waiting for.” He smiles, and I swear, I can feel it in my soul.