Ryder

Chapter 12

We're at the bar when Arch, of all people, face-plants, pissed as a fart into the floor at the side of the booth in the corner. He tries to get up, and we laugh, but when he drops, he just stays there. I rush over. "Fuck, Jay, give me a hand, will you?"

Jay sighs. "You and your motherfucking heart of gold really need to turn a blind eye to some people! The guy's a twat!" He comes to help me anyway. "You're the reason my life of crime never took off."

"What fucking life of crime?"

"Back in year five, Jessica Flynn's mum went away and left her with her older sister, who let her pack her own lunch. She came with Pop Tarts, Snickers and Monster Munch, the pickled onion ones, and I wanted to steal them, and you wouldn't let me, and I knew I had to choose, you or the life of crime, you make me a better man, Ryder, but sometimes it's a fucking struggle."

"Fuck, Jay, you're such a twat."

I shake my head, and we carry him back to his motorhome. I fumble around in his pockets and dig out his keys. He tries to talk, but all that's coherent is ‘no'. He retches then. "No one cares." All I can do is feel sorry for him. I know he's been vile, but I don't like seeing anyone in this state and alone at that. We drag him to the room at the end and toss him on the bed. I strip his shoes off and then start to roll him over.

"What are you doing?" Jay whispers out.

"I can't stand the cunt, but I don't want him choking on his own vomit," I whisper back. He's out cold, so we leave him on his side and close the motorhome backup.

Waking up the next day, I didn't sleep well. I was worried about Arch. I know, I know, the guy's an arse, but to be drinking like that alone, and the state he was in… I kind of feel bad for him, so I pull on a pair of joggers and head over knocking on the door. I hear a shout of, "Go away," before I hear retching.

Pushing in the door, I shove through into the bedroom, and he's on the floor, puking. "Fucking hell!" I stalk over to him and lift him up, dragging him into the bathroom.

"Leave me alone!" he grumbles out as he's retching again into the toilet. The smell is horrific. I push out into the kitchen area, get some cleaning supplies, head into the bedroom, and clean the puke up. I came over barefoot, so I mind my step, grimacing as I strip the bed, too, and throw it in a bin liner.

I stalk back into the bathroom, and he's asleep, hugging the fucking bowl. There's no way he's going to be able to race today. So, I fire up the shower and turn it to cold. This is gonna fucking suck, but I can't leave him like this. I wrench him up in my arms, and he mumbles, but he still doesn't come around. I smile. I might actually like this. I hold him against my bare chest and step into the shower with him in my arms. He's fully clothed, and his eyes fly open, gasping as I shove him against the wall and pin him with my body.

I grin down at him as he gasps and chokes on the water. I can't help but laugh as he tries to push me away, but as I step back, his legs buckle, and I grab him again and wedge him. His head sags and rests on my chest, and I can feel his heart pounding and his breaths coming in short and stuttering. His hands come to my waist, and his hold on it tightens like I'm the only thing holding him up, and I think I am.

"You okay?"

He shakes his head but doesn't look up. I reach up one hand and push his hair back from his face, pushing his head back at the same time.

The look on his face is scared maybe, I leave him in the water and go to step back, but he tightens his grip on my waist but still doesn't speak.

"Arch?" I slide my hand down to his jaw and tilt it to look up at me. "Are you okay?"

He sighs, and the corner of his mouth kicks up slightly. I stare into his eyes, and they're glassy. I'm unsure if it's the cold water, the hangover, or even if he's crying. I look into his eyes deeper, trying to figure out what's going on, but he moves his hands slowly up my body to my chest and pushes slightly against my pecs, and I take a step back. His eyes trail down my body to my wet grey sweats and back up, and his throat bobs.

"You… you brought me back last night?"

I nod. "Me and Jay."

He pushes against me again but sighs. "I'm okay, erm…"

I step back and sharpen my gaze on him, "Don't worry about it," I say as I stalk back to the van. "Fucking dick. Should have left him on his face in the bar last night!"