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“Whatever is the strongest.”
I was four drinks deep when a shadow crossed over my table. I was halfway out of it, and I realized I must’ve fallen asleep when I saw purple hair.
“So, you’ve gotten into my dreams again,” I said.
“That’s a weird way to say hello.”
There was something so real about the way she said it. If I were sober, I’d think harder about it. But I’d come here with the sole purpose of not thinking at all, so I only took in the vision that was Dream Jade.
She leaned down to give me a better view.
“Wow, you are really sloshed.”
“The word is drunk.”
“Hm.” She reached in front of me and took my glass. “Maybe I should cut you off.”
“No, don’t.” I’d beg if I had to. “I’m finally feeling okay.”
“That’s concerning.” She carefully studied the glass of whiskey in her hand. “Did I do this to you?”
“No. I did this to myself.”
“You’re here,” another voice said. It took me far too long to realize it was Mark. “Thanks for coming to get him.”
“I was looking for him anyway, though I doubt he’ll remember this tomorrow.”
“Did you two fight?”
“Yeah. I owe him an apology.”
I laughed. “You never do that.”
“You haven’t been here in a long time. I do apologize now, but I’ll wait for you to be sober.” She handed the glass to Mark, who shuffled to the back. She grabbed my arm and put it around her shoulder. “Up you go.”
“I need to pay,” I said as I was dragged to my feet.
“I’ll take care of it.”
“I pay for myself.”
“Yeah, I’m sure you do.”
“Seriously. You should see all that I pay for.”
“Yeah, yeah. Come on.”
Jade helped me out of the bar, and my sluggish mind wondered why she felt so real. Why she was here when I’d obviously failed so miserably.
I needed to ask. I needed to separate dreams from reality.
But I was so tired.
When we got to the back of the building, I saw the stairs to my unit. I needed to be in my own bed, but I leaned heavier on Dream Jade.
“Gabriel,” she said. “You need rest.”
“I don’t wanna go back.”
