I winced. “She’s going to feel it in the morning.”
“I’m hoping sleeping beauty does. The little fucker knows not to go out drinking so much.”
The anger in Mateo’s voice was clear.
I stayed silent while we dragged William out of the car.
He didn’t wake up even when we dropped his dead weight a few times.
“This isn’t supposed to hurt him,” I said, reminding Mateo.
“Tell that to him in the morning when he won’t remember the crap he has put me through.” Mateo looked ready to commit murder.
“That bad?”
“Being vomited on is the highlight of my life.” The sarcasm spilled from his lips.
I smiled.
We entered the house, and in true Mateo fashion, he dropped William on the rug near the front door.
“You’re going to leave him there?”
“He needs to be taught a lesson. You know this. He’s been an irresponsible asshole. He’s going to want to be taken to his car tomorrow. Are you going to be ready to drive him?”
I shook my head. It would be one of us three.
“Exactly, and I’m going to attend to Sian. She hasn’t pissed me off enough for me to leave her.”
I followed Mateo to where we left Sian. She was curled up in a ball sleeping, looking so relaxed.
Mateo picked her up and started for the stairs. I followed close behind as he went to his room.
At our parents’ house, we all had our own rooms for when we had sleepovers.
Mateo’s room faced the back, getting the best views of the garden when the sun rose. I wondered if Sian was a morning person with a beautiful sunrise.
We got to his room, but he didn’t stop there, we went into the bathroom.
The vomit stench wasn’t just coming from Mateo, but also the little bundle of joy in our arms.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
He nodded and started to run her a bath.
“Do you think it’s wise bathing her?”
“I’m not letting her get into my bed smelling like that.”
He removed his shirt. I struggled to contain my amusement at the disgusted look that crossed his face.
“Stop laughing,” he said. “It’s not funny.”
“It’s not funny to you. I think this is hilarious.” I was so entertained. I doubted for a second it was as funny living through it, but I didn’t have to. “We’re getting her naked?”
“No. Just to her underwear.”
We removed her clothes, and I made sure to keep her modesty intact. The jeans she wore tried to tug down her panties as well. I kept them in place as I helped her.
Mateo finished removing his own clothes then tested the water.
With my help, he was able to lower her down beneath the waves.
She let out a soft moan, but other than that, she didn’t say anything, nor did she wake up.
I picked up their dirty clothes and took a seat on the closed toilet, waiting.
“Thank you,” Mateo said.
“It looks like you had a long night.”
“We all did.” He rubbed at his eyes.
“Tired?”
“Exhausted. We’re supposed to be trying to get Heather’s laptop tomorrow.”
“You do know none of this is your fault.”
My time with Mateo told me he blamed himself for all the pain and heartache currently happening with Sian.
“I know.”
“Do you know?” I asked.
“What happened to Fred was on me.”
“No. It wasn’t.”
Mateo shook his head. “How can you say that when you know it to be true? Look around you. Sian’s parents are gone. Heather’s dead.”
“And we’re going to be constantly on repeat when you realize there is something much bigger at play here.” I groaned, angry with him. “You didn’t beat him up. You didn’t start the fire, and you didn’t lure Heather into it.”
“I know that.”
“Then don’t blame yourself. Otherwise, we’re all going to have to take responsibility. I sure as fuck don’t. Do I feel guilty I wasn’t there, yes. I can’t change it, Mateo, and neither can you. Don’t burden yourself with that kind of crap. It’s not healthy.”
Mateo laughed. “That sounded like an order.”
“It is.”
“Man, I’m always going to blame myself. I shouldn’t have gotten Fred to—”
“Shut the fuck up. Fred did what he wanted. It’s not like you threatened him, is it? He’s helping you now.”
Mateo nodded.
Sian was curled against him.
“Will you help me wash her?”
It was a pleasure to do so. Sian didn’t move or make a sound. At one point, I checked to make sure she was still breathing. I didn’t want anything bad to happen to her. With her washed, I held her as Mateo quickly washed himself, and then we got her out of the tub.
We didn’t dry her.
Mateo took the full weight of her as he walked her into his room. I was there to throw back the covers for him.
“Thanks, man,” he said. “I’m surprised you didn’t ask me if you could draw the moment.”
“Sian doesn’t want me to do any with her naked. I will respect her privacy. It’s the least I could do.”