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I made my way to the refreshment counter and grabbed a can of Red Bull, but I didn’t open it, just tapped the can with my nail as I collected my thoughts. Stella beckoned me over as she caught my eye. The stars of Marshtown sat with her, excluding Asher.

“What’s bothering you?” Stella questioned, never afraid to address the elephant in the room.

I sighed, and my gaze drifted to Joshua, noticing the hesitancy in his smile as he engaged with his friends.

“I’m not sure.” I admitted. “Joshua seems… off. It’s as if he wants to tell me something, but keeps backing out.”

“Maybe he doesn’t want to ruin the night.” Benjamin chimed in.

I breathed, avoiding any fuss. When Joshua was ready to tell me, he would. Keeping that in mind, I leaned back and savored the moment with my friends. However, Asher interrupted the moment as he stumbled onto our table. His face was flushed. I rose from my seat, my eyes narrowed with concern.

“Careful, Asher.”

His eyes blinked, his gaze unfocused, as he struggled to stay upright.

“My bad.” He said with a lopsided grin.

With a firm but gentle hand, I guided him to my previously occupied seat. I handed him my glass of water.

“Have some of this.”

He grabbed it out of my hand and downed it, before pulling a face as if he’d chugged pure lemon juice.

“This isn’t vodka.”

I rolled my eyes and urged him to drink more. His cheeks regained color, but his eyes remained glazed over. He leaned his head back against the chair and closed his eyes.

“Thanks for looking out for me.” He said, his words slurred but filled with sincerity.

I offered him a reassuring smile.

“Of course,” I said. “That’s what friends are for.”

“Friends.” He repeated, dropping his head to the side to look at me. “My brother is lucky to have you.”

A blush swept across my cheeks. My heart warmed at the unexpected compliment.

“We’re lucky to have each other.”

He scoffed.

“He’s not that great.”

“You seem to not want to give him any credit.”

“He gets enough of it from everyone else,” He mumbled. “Don’t want to get his head any bigger. It’s already off balance.”

I snorted and folded my arms across my chest.

“You’re not fooling anyone, you know.”

He turned to me with one eye open.

“What are you talking about?”

“This facade that you don’t give a damn about, Josh.” I said. “I know you have everyone else fooled, but not me.”

There was a shift in the atmosphere as Joshua approached us. His expression darkened as he saw us sitting together.