When River and I got back to the bus, Buck seemed thoroughly drunk. He grinned at me and slurred, "How 'bowdda brew?" I could smell quite a few of them on his breath.
"I'm good, and you've had enough."
"Wuzza madder? Can't hold yer liquor? Gonna spray me wid it?"
"You didn't like that picture, did you?" Now I knew which Fiery Boy had voted against me: Buck.
"Hey!" He laughed. "Watch me do my imitation of Annnnaliiiisa." He took a swig of beer, threw his head back, and blew it into the air. Unfortunately, instead of spraying in a mist, the beer launched in an arc and landed on my blouse. I liked that blouse. Sleeveless and knotted at the waist, I thought I looked good in it. Now it was soaked with beer and spit.
I scowled at him and walked away to clean myself. Behind me, Buck called out, "Sorrrreeee."
I had to wonder why things like this happened to me. Was there a sign on my forehead that said, "Give me shit"? That would explain my boyfriends. And Buck. And Inferna. And every hater on the Internet, for that matter.
When I got back to the table, Buck had collapsed forward, asleep with his head on his arms. River looked over at him and shook his head. "I've never seen him like this."
He looked peaceful, released from his demons. "Should we try to get him to bed?"
River nodded and stood up. "I got him." He hauled Buck to his feet and dragged him down the hall, helping him into his cubicle.
Buck roused when he landed there. "I'm okay."
I peered at him. "You don't seem okay. How about some vitamins to help you deal with that hangover?" I reached over to my cubicle and dug around.
Buck tried to refuse my offer. "Don't do vitamins." He groaned. "Feeling sick."
I got the pills and climbed up to sit next to him, shoving them into his hand. "Take these, Buck."
He started to protest. "Told ja. I don't. . ."
I silenced him with a raised finger. "Doesn't matter. When you puke, they'll come right back up." I grinned and even Buck gave a light laugh.
He covered his eyes with his hand and turned away. Then he slapped the hand with the vitamins up to his mouth and threw his head back. I gave him a glass of water to wash them down. "Good. Now rest." I got down from his bunk.
Before I'd made it two steps toward the living room, River stopped me. "Stay with him." He spoke softly, but his deep voice was impossible to resist.