Chapter Text
Three A.M. was probably not the right time to be texting him, but the bottle dangling from my hand had full control over any actions I took, impulsive or otherwise.
Me: You awake?
While I waited for a response, half praying one would come and half praying one didn’t, I took another drink, the Jack Daniels sliding down my throat easily. At one time I would have coughed and sputtered, drinking straight from the heavy bottle instead of a glass like normal people. I was past that. Tilting back in the plastic lawn chair on my balcony, my bare feet propped up on the metal railing, I was only clad in black boy short panties and a gray tank top. No doubt my neighbors across the common area could see me if they looked out of their windows, but I didn’t care. Besides, if they were up at three a.m. too, they probably deserved a show.
A chime from my phone diverted my attention from the liquor settling in my gut and I lifted it to my face, my heart speeding up when I saw his name on my home screen.
Pete: Been up
Biting my lip I sent my reply.
Me: Come over?
His response was almost immediate.
Pete: Can’t. In London
The groan I let escape mixed with the Florida crickets. The night was humid and warm, but there was a soft breeze making it bearable. He was overseas in the United Kingdom again. I hated that I didn’t even know where he was.
Me: When will you be back?
Pete: Next week. I’ll text you. Gotta go
Dropping my phone in my lap, I rocked the chair back and forth, dangerously close to tipping over on more than one occasion. The bottle in my hand was getting emptier and emptier as I sat there, drowning myself in my own sorrows and watching the sky get lighter as the sun rose, trying to close off the deep need I had for the man I could never quite get ahold of. If I had a weakness, most would say it was Jack Daniels. I respectfully disagreed. It was absolutely Pete Dunne.