Sobriety

     Kara Price was a goddamn coward. She could finally admit as much to herself as she lay sprawled out in the back seat of her friend’s car, an oversized t-shirt the only thing attempting to preserve her modesty. Lucy made a sharp right, and Kara hit her head on the door in the process.

     “Fuck!” she hissed.

     Lucy’s only response was an unconvincing “Sorry.”

     Kara rubbed her forehead; hangovers usually never bothered her, but the after effects of the booze combined with the emotional stress she was under left her head feeling foggier than when she was drunk.

     “Luuuucyyyyyy…” she whined.

     “Put a seat belt on if you don’t want to get hurt,” she responded tersely. Kara recognized that voice; she had woken Lucy up when she called.

     “Look, Lu, I’m sorry I called so early.” There was a short silence. Kara sighed internally and hoped that her friend was just going through the morning grumps. She couldn’t handle any more drama today. “I just needed to get out of there.”

     “Doesn’t Leo normally bring you home?”

     “Yeah, well...I left before he was up.”

     Lucy briefly eyed her friend in the mirror, quirking an eyebrow. “Didn’t stick around for round two?” Kara just sighed in response. “I’d have figured that you would’ve wanted some more.”

     “But that’s just the problem, Lu.”

     “What? That you can’t control your body? Never stopped you before,” Lucy said matter-of-factly.

     “No, he was great, it’s just...he wants more.”

     “Oh-ho!” A teasing smirk found its way onto Lucy’s lips. “Could it be that the mighty Kara has finally met her match?” She cast a mischievous glance through the mirror. “Bit off more than you can chew, eh?”

     “No, I’m serious, Lu. After we finished he started talking to me. At first I thought he was just kidding, but…”

     “Did he do something to you? Because if he did I swear to God I’ll sic Logan on him before he even gets out of bed.”

     “No, he just…” Kara groaned and struggled to sit upright, tucking some stray hair behind her ears. “He told me he loved me.”

     Lucy slammed on the breaks, and Kara’s head slammed square into the back of the passenger seat headrest. “He said what?” Lucy shrieked.

     “Fuck, my head! Don’t do that shit, Lucy.”

     “Kara, he confessed?” Kara nodded. “EEEEEEEK!” she squealed. “Kara, congratulations!”

     “Lu, this is bad! What am I going to do?”

     “What do you mean? You like him, don’t you? Tell him!”

     “Lu,” Kara deadpanned, “it’s five in the morning, I’m naked, and you’re sneaking me out of his apartment.”

     Lucy opened her mouth and closed it, face scrunched up in thought. Kara leaned her head back on the headrest, letting out a long sigh. “So,” Lucy began, “when you say he wanted more, you weren’t talking about sex, were you?”

     “He wants a relationship.”

     Lucy blinked. “And this is bad why?”

     Kara leaned over the center console and wriggled her way to the glove compartment. Lucy eyed her questioningly, watching as Kara opened it and began to rummage around. Her face lit up as she raised a flask in triumph.

     “Kara, where the hell did that come from?”

     Kara flashed her a cheeky grin. “Left it in here last week, just in case.” She uncapped the flask and took a long drink. “Ahhhh, much better.”

     “Kara, what’s in there?”

     “Wouldn’t you like to know.”

     “You still haven’t answered my question.”

     “I don’t know what I want.”

     “You don’t know what you want?” Lucy repeated, obviously not understanding. Kara sighed. How Lucy got over her personal issues to maintain a healthy relationship, she’d never know. Her whole life Kara had known only one night stands and month-long relationships. Leo was the first man she’d ever slept with more than twice. She used to think that it was just because he was so good, but once she’d broken the rules she’d made for herself, she found that Leo had become a constant in her life.

     “No. I mean, he’s the only person I’ve met who can drink me under the table, and I’ll admit he’s got a nice ass, but he scares me.”

     “Really?”

     “Yeah. I mean,” Kara sighed, “I’ve never had a real relationship before. I don’t want a relationship, either. But everything with him just feels so right.”

     “You sure it’s not just the buzz?” Lucy asked.

     “I wasn’t drunk last night.” Kara could see Lucy raise her eyebrows in surprise. “Well, not at that point, anyway. That was the first time since I-can’t-remember-when that I slept with someone without being absolutely wasted. I just...I woke up today and was so scared of what I was doing. I mean, we’re not even that close. I see him, what, like twice a month? And now he wants to go out with me?”

     “Kara, Logan and I started dating after only knowing each other for three weeks. You’ve known Leo for how long?”

     Kara’s voice was soft. “Five years.”

     “Five years? Holy shit, Kara, you’ve been leading him on for five fucking years and he still wants to go out with you? That’s a keeper, right there.”

     “Lucy, I honestly don’t know what to do here. He’s changed me so much, and I’m not sure if I like it. I drink less, work is better but feels soooo much longer, and he’s completely ruined other guys for me.”

     “Then go out with him. Take it day by day; if he really wants you that badly, he’ll be willing to wait, but you’ve got to give him something to work with. He won’t be young forever. Besides, who else would you want to go out with?”

     Kara distractedly twirled her hair. “Yeah...maybe you’re right. I just don’t know if I’m ready for a relationship yet, you know? I’ve got no experience.”

     “Then take it slowly, like I said. He’ll understand.” Lucy brought the car to a rest outside of Kara’s building. She turned around and grabbed her friend’s hand. “Just, I want you to be happy, yeah? If Leo makes you happy, then tell him.”

     Kara smiled and squeezed Lucy’s hand in response. “Thanks, Lu. Sorry for waking you up.”

     “No worries.” She gave Kara a once-over as she stepped out of her car. “I’d also go put some clothes on. Sun’s rising.” Kara stuck out her tongue as Lucy pulled away. She frowned as she watched her friend drive off.

     For the first time in her life, Kara Price regretted leaving before dawn.