Jack always took pride in his ability to be able to hold his liquor. In most cases he hardly found himself glued to the toilet after a night of drinking but here he was spilling his guts in Erica's apartment. If he thought he'd hit rock bottom before, now in this woman's home he felt pathetic as he leaned against the wall to support himself from the ill feeling he felt.
"Ohhh shit," he ran a frustrated hand through his hair. It was not like him to use alcohol as a cure to solve his problems. He was more responsible than that, but he just couldn't help it. Taking a sip of the brown liquid had done more to ease his pain at the past resurfacing.
"I told you that hard liquor would do some damage to you," he peeked up to find her leaning against the doorframe clad in a robe slightly open to reveal a simple tank top and pyjama shorts. Her eyes swept over him, and Jack suddenly felt like sinking into the floor to avoid the scrutiny and possible judgement.
"I swear, I'm never this reckless," he said averting his gaze to the tiles on the bathroom floor.
"At this point just be glad I'm the one who found you out there," she moved further into the bathroom and leaned against the sink. Her tone was dismissive but something inside him didn't want to drop the subject out of fear she had drawn her own judgement that he hardly took responsibility of his life.
"Erica, I-I swear I-"
"You don't have to explain yourself to me. And I know you're telling the truth. You're just going through a lot."
"Please don't pity me," he whined covering his face with his hands, the gesture a clear sign of desperation. The last thing he'd want was to have her see him as something weak.
Before she could respond he lurched forward, his body contorting as he leaned into the toilet bowl releasing more of his fluids. He collapsed to the side to find a ghost of a smile on her lips," I'll pity you once we get you in a better condition," she stated leaning forward to push some of his hair off his forehead. The gesture shocked him a bit and he watched her worry-filled gaze shift all over his face. For some odd reason seeing her concerned warmed him inside.
***
After thirty minutes passed without him throwing up, due to her insistence he went into her bedroom to lie down. As she sauntered into the kitchen to get a glass of water, she paused briefly to find the door opening and Sabrina's tired eyes landing on her.
"Thought you'd be asleep by now," she muttered throwing her keys onto the counter.
Erica pursed her lips unsure of what to say, her eyes flashed to her closed bedroom door and Sabrina who'd been watching her picked up on her behaviour," You're oddly quiet."
"Okay, before you jump to conclusions just know that I had to help him. Leaving him out there drunk out of his mind wouldn't have been right."
Sabrina's brows rose already suspicious of what Erica meant," Cut the shit, E. What's going on?" she asked sternly crossing her arms looking like a mother prepared to yell at her child. Given she was the older one between them, Sabrina naturally assumed the role of being more of the responsible one.
Her shoulders dropped in defeat knowing that there was no other way around the subject," Jack's here."
"Damn," Sabrina muttered as her eyes widened. Out of all the scenarios her mind was already drawing up, she certainly wasn't expecting that.
"He was literally sitting outside alone, and I couldn't leave him out there, so... "
"You decided to take care of him," Sabrina smirked walking further into the apartment," how sweet of you."
"Don't make this shit weird."
"I just can't help it," she shrugged smiling at her," it's only natural I find this situation funny. But I'll humour you and pretend the reason you allowed him into our space has nothing to do with the fact you fucked him."
"Sabrina…" her voice had dropped significantly lower revealing a hidden warning for her not to continue. But Sabrina particularly enjoyed getting under her skin such that seeing the way Erica had grown irritated pleased her immensely.
"Oh, shit my bad," she raised her hands in mock surrender grinning," I meant since he fucked you."
Erica bent down removing the slipper off her foot throwing it in Sabrina's direction. She squealed crouching down to dodge the slipper before she proceeded to sprint down the hall giggling like a child," There's no need to be violent, E!" she yelled slamming the door quickly when she saw Erica reach out for the other slipper.
Sucking her teeth, Erica proceeded to get a glass of water whilst muttering a string of curse words under her breath.
Closing her bedroom door, she found him rubbing his neck gently as he stretched his body on her bed," Drink the water," she said placing the water on her nightstand.
"I don't feel like it."
"You need to keep yourself hydrated," she muttered nudging his shoulder gently to coax him to drink it. Taking the hint, he sat up and took a few sips.
"Thanks," he paused placing the glass back on the nightstand," for everything. And I'm really sorry for ruining your night."
"No big deal," she shrugged taking a seat on the edge of her bed," I wasn't doing anything. So, seeing you vomit was a nice change in my routine."
He frowned looking at her and though the look was meant to be threatening she found it oddly cute seeing his lips downturned," I'm a sadist, remember?"
"My pain gives you joy, unbelievable." he mumbled closing his eyes. The warm hand on his made his eyes snap open to find her wearing a serious expression.
"I'm not going to take pleasure in your heartbreak, Jack."
"What makes you think my behaviour tonight is a reaction of that?"
"Lucille," she replied simply," that's your ex-wife, right?"
She didn't need him to confirm but he nodded his head anyway chuckling dryly," I thought I was making progress in being immune to the destruction she caused. But uh... tonight I saw her with someone I once considered a friend and I-I don't know... I guess I just thought I could find refuge in drinking. Pretty stupid, I know."
He felt like an imbecile for thinking drinking would solve his problems. However, the squeeze on his hand made him look up to find her warm eyes taking him in such that when she said," You're not stupid... you're just human," he believed her.
"Are we ever going to talk about the other ni-"
"I think you should get some rest," she interrupted him. She was hoping they would just bury that night and forget about it. However, at some point in the course of the night she knew they'd have to talk about it but not now. Not whilst he was still recovering. She was grateful when he made no move to argue, and he lied back on her bed shifting to make room for her.
Her eyes widened," W-What are you doing?"
"Making room for you," he replied innocently kicking off his shoes.
"I'll go sleep on the cou-"
"Please, Erica," he said softly reaching out to grasp her hand," I don't feel right about making you sleep on the couch. I can sleep there... but if I'm being honest," he tightened his hold on her hand but not to the point it would elicit any pain as he looked her directly in the eye," I hate sleeping alone. And I don't want to bear another night without a warm body next to me. So please just... " he sighed closing his eyes momentarily before reopening them," stay."
This was a bad idea. All thoughts running in her mind screamed that she should repudiate his request and go sleep on the couch. However, the earnest look in his eye melted away the glaciers inside her. He looked at her with an open vulnerability that allowed her to see his pain. And without another word she discarded the robe and lied on the bed.
"Lie on your stomach," she demanded patting his shoulder gently. His brow raised in question," in case you want to vomit it'll help you avoid choking if you lie on your stomach."
"I'm starting to think you're used to getting wasted, huh?" he chuckled lightly. And she bit her bottom lip to withhold the smile.
"Go to sleep, Jack," she sang lightly turning on her side to turn off the light ignoring his question.
He smiled gently turning away from her and mumbled under his breath into the sea of darkness," Good night, Songbird."