Watch, Wait, Take

Chapter 20. The meal

The meal was phenomenal! Lauren is an amazing cook! Everyone cleared their plates, I drained the last of my coke.

“You need another drink” said Lauren.

“Please, allow me.” Chad jumped in “ you haven’t stopped all night Lauren. Would anyone else like another drink?” He offered.

“The food was fantastic Lauren, better than most restaurants I have been too! You’re a great cook! Thank you so much” I smiled at her

“You’re most welcome! And thank you for the compliment” she blushed back. “How are you finding the locals then” she asked me

“Very nice and welcoming” I answered honestly.

Chad came back in with my coke. “Thank you so much” I said to him

“Not a problem” he winked at me.

The rest of the evening was lovely, there was jokes, laughter and even a game of charades that was very interesting, me being the only sober person in the room!

Soon everyone was heading home, I didn’t want the night to end I was having so much fun!

“Thank you so much Lauren, for such a lovely evening. Amazing food and great company. I really enjoyed it and I loved meeting everyone!” I hugged her tightly.

“You’re most welcome my love! You’re welcome any time! I’m so glad you had a good evening” I headed towards the door “would you mind doing me a favour?” She whispered

“Of course!” I smiled

“Would you mind taking Chad home, I am concerned about him being too drunk to drive home” she said as she glanced over her shoulder at Chad across the room.

“Absolutely! No problem!”

“Thank you so much, I will give you some money for gas” she said as she turned towards her handbag to grab her purse.

“Absolutely not! It’s not a problem at all, I really don’t mind, please, no need for gas money, I insist” I said refusing her offer

“Thank you so much!” She said and hugged me tight. “I’ll go get him now”

“It’s ok I can wait till he is ready to leave, I’m in no rush” I said following her

“I will ask and see what he says”

I hung back as she asked, I got a glass of water while I waited so I didn’t look as though I was waiting for him.

Lauren headed back over with Chad. “Are you sure you don’t mind taking me home, Emma? That’s very kind of you”

“It’s not a problem! Gives me more chance to see the neighbourhood”

“Thank you! I really appreciate that, but don’t be stalking me now will you” he said playfully and winked at me with sparkling eyes.

“I’m making no promises I’m not sure I can keep!” I laughed.

We said our good byes and headed out. Once in my car I asked “so, where do I go?”

“If you head to the hotel I dropped you off at and I will tell you when to turn”

“Sounds good” I said. I headed off down the road. I had to set my GPS to the hotel to make sure I went the right way.

It was all going well until Chad fell asleep. I got to the hotel and pulled into the car park.

“Hey, Chad. I’m so sorry to wake you but I’m at the hotel, how do I get to your house from here?” I asked gently shaking his shoulder.

Chad grumbled, looked through half opened eyes and turned his head away and went back to sleep.

Right. Great. I decided to go back to mine. He can sleep there if I can wake him if not he can sleep in the car.

I parked and tried to wake Chad again.

“Hey, come on time to get out” I said shaking him again. He roused a little better this time and fumbled out of the car momentarily forgetting to unbuckle his seat belt. He looked around then looked at me “ where are we?” He asked confused. “We are going to stay here tonight, my place. Come on” I said leading the way “ooohh, it’s my lucky night!” He laughed. “Don’t be getting any ideas, I’m too tired anyway” I laughed back.

In my place I gave Chad some water and a pillow and two blankets I found in the wardrobe. I gave him the spare pillows from my bed too so he could get more comfortable. He made a makeshift bed on the floor using pillows and one blanket. The second blanket was his covers. I was getting ready for bed in the bathroom while he made his bed. I jumped into bed and sighed. “Good night Chad, sleep well” “night, Emma. Thank you for having a sleepover with me” he giggled drunkenly. I laughed back ans turned out the light. I don’t remember falling asleep but I must have slept like a log. I woke up the next day to the curtains flying open and “morning sunshine! Hope you slept well. I’m so sorry for the inconvenience! Thank you for letting me stay”

“It’s not a problem, I’m sorry you where on the floor. I slept great thank you, did you?”

“I slept like a baby!” He smiled “do you mind if I am really cheeky and take a quick shower”

“Of course! Not a problem!”

He headed to the bathroom to shower.

“That fees so much better! I fee a little more human again”

“How’s your head?” I asked him

“Surprisingly, fine! My only problem is I’m starving! Haha”

“Let go get some breakfast! Give me a minute to get ready” I said jumping out of bed and heading to the shower.

“Sounds great!”

“I’ll take you home after, yeah? Or back to Lauren’s for your car?”

“Lauren’s if you don’t mind. As long as it’s not too much trouble”

“Not a problem, I got nothing else to do” I laughed and went to close the door

“In that case breakfast is on me!”

“You really do t have to do that! I don’t mind at all!”

“I insist it’s the least I can do”

After my I finished getting ready, I came out the bathroom to find Chad had tidied his makeshift bed away and was sat on my bed.

“All ready?” I asked him

“Ready when you are” he said jumping up.

We headed out to the car to get some breakfast.