“You’re going back home?” Denny asked.
“Yeah, I think it’s about time, and Connor and I need to sit down and have a serious talk.”
After I put Julia to bed, the four of us sat around the table and talked. It was eleven o’clock p.m. and my phone started to ring. I looked over and saw it was Connor calling. I wasn’t ready to talk to him yet, so I rejected it. A minute later, my phone rang, and it was him again.
“Connor, what do you want?”
“Hi, Ellery, this is Sarah.”
I froze as I held the phone up to my ear and my heart started racing with the thought that he was with her.
“I know what you must be thinking right now, and this isn’t what it seems. I took Connor’s phone to call you because he’s here at Club S, a drunken mess, and you need to come get him.”
“What the hell is he doing there?” I asked.
“I’m assuming he came in to drink his troubles away. Listen, I’ll wait with him until you get here.”
“Thank you, Sarah. I’m on my way,” I said as I hung up the phone.
Denny looked at me as I got up from my seat. “Now what?”
“Connor is drunk at Club S, and Sarah told me that I need to come get him.”
“Do you want me to go and bring his sorry ass home?” Denny said.
“No, I’ll go.” I picked up the phone and called a cab. “Mason, can you pack up all of Julia’s things and bring her home tomorrow? I don’t want to wake her up.”
“Of course I will,” he said as he walked over to me. “Go get your man and spend some time alone. We’ll be fine.”
***
As I got out of the cab, I stood in front of Club S as the line of people waited impatiently to get into the now famous club. I walked up to the front and stood behind the rope as I called Frankie’s name.
“Ellery Black! How are you, girl?” he said.
“I’m good, Frankie. It’s nice to see you.”
“What are you doing here?”
“Connor’s inside and someone called me to come get him.”
Frankie lifted the rope. “Go on in, Elle. It was good to see you. If you need my help, come get me.”
“Thanks, Frankie. It was good to see you too.” I smiled.
The music was loud and people were everywhere. As I pushed my way through the crowd, I headed towards the bar. While I stood there looking around, I felt someone tap me on the shoulder. I turned around and saw Sarah standing there.
“Where is he?” I asked.
“He’s over there,” Sarah said as she pointed to a table in the corner.
Instantly, I started to have flashbacks of the night when I first saw him. I took in a deep breath and started walking towards him. Sarah grabbed my arm.
“Don’t be too hard on him. He’s full of regret, and he’s sorry.”
“So he told you what happened?”
“Not all of it, but I know he messed up. I’ve never seen love like I do when I see the two of you. It’s romantic, and I’m envious of what the two of you have. I didn’t think a love like that existed.”
“Thank you for keeping an eye on him. I appreciate it.” I smiled.
“No problem, Ellery,” she said as she walked away.
I stood there and stared at him from across the way. He could barely sit up. After being apart for a week, this wasn’t the way I wanted to see him. As I took in another breath, I walked over to him, sat down, and took the glass out of his hand.
“Ellery,” he slurred.
“Come on, Connor. It’s time to go home,” I said as I helped him up.
“Are you coming too,” he slurred.
“Yes, I’m coming home. Now let’s get out of here.”
He put his arm around me as I held him up and helped him to the door. He could barely walk and he was stumbling so badly that he almost took me down. We reached the doors and stepped outside. The cab was parked at the curb. I opened the cab door and tried to help him in.
“Get in the cab, Connor.”
“I want to talk first. I don’t want to get in the cab.”
“Get in the cab, Connor,” I said a second time as I pushed him in.
He wouldn’t slide over, so I shut the door, got in the other side, and gave the cab driver our address. Connor looked over at me. All I could see was the sadness in his eyes. I was really pissed off that he went to the club, but that was an issue we’d deal with later.
“You’re so beautiful,” he said as he ran his hand down my cheek.
“You’re so drunk,” I replied.
He leaned his head on my shoulder, but he kept falling forward. I brought his head down to my lap and softly stroked his hair as he closed his eyes. Shortly after, we arrived in the garage of the penthouse.
“Do you need help getting him out, ma’am?” the cab driver asked.
“I think I can manage,” I replied as I handed him a large tip.
“Thank you so much, ma’am!” he said with excitement.
“Thank you for your patience.” I smiled.