I kissed him. “It’s not your fault, but I think we have a room full of guests and a party to continue.”
Gavin
As the party started to die down, Myla and I took seats at my wet bar while Jordan started to pack up her supplies.
“Good party, Hayes.” Jordan handed Myla another Jack and Coke.
“Thanks you,” she said before turning to me. “Hey, babe.” She slouched on the barstool, putting her bare feet up onto my lap. It was so adorable to me how drunk she was, her hair a mess, makeup smearing a little, eyes glassing over a bit. It wasn’t the drunkenness that was the endearing part; it was seeing my girl in another light. Even fucked up out of her skull, she still gave me her little crooked grin and lit up a bit when she spoke to me.
“What’s up, hotcakes?” I asked, trying to not laugh too much at her cuteness.
“You’re the bestest boyfriend anyone could ask for in the history of ever.” Myla’s tiny hand landed with a thud on my thigh as she slurred before trying to take another sip of her Jack and Coke, completely missing the straw and chasing it around the glass for a bit.
“I think it’s time to call it a night. What do you think?” I took the drink out of her hand and handed it back over to Jordan, who downed it in one gulp.
She pursed her lips and, serious as a heart attack, shook her head, yelling, “Dobby has no master! Dobby is a free elf!”
I couldn’t help but laugh right there on the spot. “God, even drunk, you’re still a nerd.”
I scooped her up into my arms and carried her to bed. “I’ll be right back. I’m just going to help Brayden and Jordan pack up the rest of the stuff and get it downstairs.”
“Did the birthday girl go down without a fight?” Brayden was wiping down my kitchen counter as Jordan started packing up the last of the liquor bottles she had brought with her.
I shoved my hand down into my pocket, nervously fidgeting with the ring box that had been there all night.
“Brayden, can I have a minute?” I waved him toward the balcony.
“Yeah, sure. I’ll be right back.” He glanced over at Karla and she nodded while sitting on a barstool chatting with Jordan and Simon.
After shutting the door behind us, Brayden rubbed the back of his neck. “What’s up?”
I took in a deep breath. “I love your sister.”
He nodded. “Yeah man, tell me something I don’t know.”
I pulled the box out from my pocket. “She’s perfect and I know you’re going to say this is all really sudden. I’m not going to do it right away; I just wanted you to know where my head is at with all this, how serious I am about Myla.”
“Dude, no one is perfect, and you’re right, this is really sudden and fucking fast as shit.” He started pacing around the balcony.
"You're right. No one is perfect." I sighed, shoving the box back into my pocket. "But, she's damn near it, and fucking perfect for me."
He leaned onto the railing. “I have to hand it to you, you really are falling for my sister. I hate and love it all at the same time.”
“So, may I have your blessing?” Brayden nodded and I literally jumped in the hair, yelling, “Fuck yes!”
He pointed his finger at me, smiling wide. “Don’t make me regret this, Hayes.”
“I promise. I am going to spend the rest of my life making that girl as happy as humanly possible.”
After making sure everyone had safe rides home and the apartment was at least somewhat clean, crawling into bed was the best feeling ever.
I pulled Myla into me, curling my body around her. In a sleepy daze she kissed the air, muttering, “Love you,” before resting her head on my shoulder.
I had always been told that the best parts of life were the small, nameless moments spent smiling with someone you love, and in that bed with Myla sleeping soundly in my arms, I truly knew what that meant.
Epilogue
Myla