Seeking Solace

Four

I slam my fifth empty glass down onto the wooden counter. I shake my head back and forth, letting no my hair fly everywhere, as the warm, smooth drink goes down with ease. He puts his empty glass down beside mine, throwing his head back with the final gulp. He grins at me.

"You know I haven't had this much fun in, well, ever." I tell him honestly.

"You look like you're having fun." He chuckles.

"Can I get another?" I shout.

"No love, I think you've had enough."

"Please?" I beg.

"Not tonight." He hops off the stool and wraps his arms around my waist. He starts pulling me from the counter. I grab onto it and hold it as tight as I can.

"I want to stay!" I tell him.

I kick my legs as wildly and hard as I can. He tightens his hold on my waist and pulls harder. I lose my grip on the counter and we go flying down to the ground. I land on top of him and start giggling. He laughs too, not removing his hands from my waist. We lay on the ground laughing for what seems like twenty minutes. I'm holding my sore stomach and blinking back tears, when someone walks in the room.

"Seriously mate!?" A deep voice says from the far corner. He approaches us, when he gets to our feet he grabs me by the forearm and helps me up. "Father would kill you if he found you like this, you do understand that don't you?"

He rises to his feet and steadies himself. "Yes, yes I know. I can hear him now, How dare you? You know better than that. Why would you endanger yourself and this beautiful young girl too? Trust me Emmett, I know."

"Speaking of which, who is she?" Emmett asks. He looks at me like he knows me, and gas known me my whole life. He looks worried.

"Gemma name my is." I hiccup. "I mean, my name is Gemma. Gemma Rose Patton." I grin up at him.

"You're joking right?" Emmett asks Him. "Are you looking to cause trouble?"

"In all fairness, I met her first." He tells him.

"Did you have to get her drunk?" Emmett asks. "Her Gran is not going to be too happy with you. She is already uneasy about us being back here."

"The drinking was all her idea, I swear."

"It's true. I asked for the bourbon." I admit.

He points at me. "See, she confesses. It was all her idea. I did nothing wrong."

"Yeah he did nothing wrong. Come on Emmett, cut him some slack." I whine.

"Yeah Emmett, cut me some slack."

"Alright you two, that's enough. I'm going to take her home. Elton you need to sober up before Dad gets back." He snaps his fingers in His face. "Did you hear me mate? Sober up. Dad should be home shortly and you don't want him to find you like this."

"Yeah yeah, I hear ya." He starts to walk out of the room. "Goodnight love, see ya soon." He yawns and is soon out of sight.

"Alright, let's get you home." Emmett tells me.

"Aye aye Captain." I salute him and giggle. He sweeps me up bridal style and carries me outside to a car. He sets me down in the passenger seat and shuts my door. He climbs in and starts driving. "How is it you know where I live?"

"Let's just say I'm a bit familiar with the area." He tells me.

"Are you a Fursey?" I ask him confused. He reminds me of Professor Decker and of Bram.

He chuckles. "Yes."

"How does my Gran know you?" I ask. "You said earlier she's upset that you're back."

"Your Gran and my Grandfather used to be friends."

"If they were friends then why did Gran tell me to stay away from all of you?"

"Because your Gran is a smart lady." Emmett says with a blank expression.

"Wait!" I exclaim. "That boy I was with, he's a Fursey too?"

"That boy? Yes, he is my younger brother."

"Do you know his name?" I ask, he chuckles. "He won't tell me his name, he said it's a game, but I don't think it's very fun."

"His name is Elton." Emmett tells me. "But you won't remember that tomorrow, and you'll be stuck playing his game."

"How do I win?"

"I don't know Gemma, no one ever has." He tells me. He stops the car in front of my house. He steps out and opens my door, carrying me inside. Thankfully Gran's car isn't here or she would make my ears bleed from all her yelling. Emmett carries me upstairs to my room and tucks me into my bed.

He turns out the light and walks towards the door. "Emmett." I call out. He turns around and stares at me, his blue eyes cut through the darkness. "Thank you."

"You're welcome Gemma. Try to sleep it off. You should feel better in the morning."

"And Emmett,"

"Yes?"

"Don't tell Elton that I know his name. Please?" I beg.

"I won't." He smiles. "Now get some sleep."

I curl up into my blankets and start to doze off, Emmett walks back towards me, he brushes the hair from my face and kisses my forehead. "Good night sweet girl."