Blessed are the weird people – poets, misfits, writers, mystics, heretics, painters, troubadours – for they teach us to see the world through different eyes.
~Jacob Nordby
And Ben.
What?
I might still be drunk but you're fucking uptight. Why are you reading this if you're shocked? Go read some regular thing then. I really don't care either way but it's on the left-hand side of every page and if you want to follow a freak....then expect them to be freaks, you know what I mean?
***
Ben and Schuyler actually took mild offence to the day-drunk part of the day but once we finished the current bottle we didn't open any more. So between Lochlan and I that's two bottles for two super lightweights and I am definitely still drunk, just no longer disorderly.
Okay, maybe a little.
What's on today, little muffin? Duncan is in fine form this morning as I approach warily, like a rabbit near a lion. My head aches just enough but I don't care, which is my cue that tells me one more drink this morning and I might be right back where I started.
I pour coffee instead. Probably avoiding my Diabhal, I admit.
He on the warpath?
We were with Danny and Schuy yesterday..
Oh.
Yeah.
***
Caleb finds me easily. Not like I was hiding. Coffee and (yes, more) champagne in the library with music blasting out through the doors. My motivational playlist that I play when I need a little boost or a good hard shove all the same. PJ is within two rooms cringing so hard at me, as always.
Wonderful Feeling (SWITCHFOOT, NATURALLY YOU SHOULD LISTEN TOO) is blaring from the speakers and he pokes his head in, making me jump a thousand feet. He waves and waits until I dig out my phone from a deep pocket (dresses. with. pockets.) to pause my song.
Bridget.
Listen. I-
Hey. You're coming out swinging and all I said was your name. It's a greeting.
Hi.
Hey. How are you doing?
Hungover.
You'd never know it with this music blasting.
Huh? Oh, that's default.
He nods. Want to go get a greasy breakfast? We can pick it up and bring it back and eat it on the wall.
I stare at him. Why-
If you don't feel well, I can help fix it.
But you usually-
I told you I was trying. Taking my cues from Lochlan who is a whole lot more free than I will ever be.
He really doesn't have his possessive tendencies developed enough for them to stick ever.
No, he does not. Caleb laughs kindly. I'm trying to see that this is okay.
Is it?
Are you happy?
Depends.
On my reaction? You clearly don't live by what I endorse, Neamhchiontach. But you are afraid after that fact. Insolent to a fault. As always.
Always and forever, Diabhal.
So breakfast or not?
Can I continue my music in the car?
Again, as always.
Thank you. I'll go get ready.
He looks so pleased. This is weird. He'll either throw me off the wrong side of the cliff after breakfast or he has already pregamed and poisoned my food. I can pretend I trust him but no way in this hell do I actually trust him one bit.