Page 40 of Notes About Vodka (Happily Ever After Hangover #1)

Chapter Twenty-One

LAURA

“Vodka is like love—strong, intoxicating, and capable of setting fire to your veins.”

It’s been a week since I last saw my mom, and the memory of that hospital room still lingers, tied to the guilt and hesitation that keeps me away.

Every time I close my eyes, I see her frail hand in mine, the look of regret in her eyes as she apologized.

I know she’s trying, but something inside me hesitates.

Maybe it’s fear of seeing her so vulnerable again, or maybe it’s the weight of my own guilt, knowing I’m keeping my distance when she might need me the most.

It’s easier to avoid it, to tell myself I’ll go back soon, but the truth is, I’m not sure I can face her—or my own feelings—just yet.

Every time I think about going back, I remember the look in her eyes—a mix of regret and desperation—and it makes my heart ache.

I’m not ready to face it again, to face the reality of our relationship and what it demands of me.

Instead, I keep finding reasons to stay away, even though I know deep down that avoidance is only making the guilt worse.

I try to focus on other things. I bury myself in my classes, pouring over textbooks, lab assignments, and piano practice to keep my mind occupied.

Sometimes it works, and I feel productive, almost normal again.

Other times, my mind wanders, and the weight of everything I’m avoiding creeps back in, making it hard to focus.

It’s like I’m running from my thoughts, Mom, Sam, school, work, feeling this lingering sickness, now Val... but they always find a way to catch up. When that’s not enough, I throw myself into tidying the apartment, organizing shelves and drawers that don’t even need it.

If I’m not at the apartment with Rhea and Skipper, I’m now spending more time with Val.

He’s become my anchor, sending me little gifts—books he thinks I’ll like, my favorite snacks, or a silly postcard—and checking in on me constantly. It’s comforting in a way I hadn’t expected, though it also makes me uneasy.

Val keeps hinting about us moving in together.

It feels comforting in a way—the idea of having someone steady and dependable—but it also overwhelms me.

What if I’m not ready? What if it changes everything too soon?

We haven’t even done more than kiss a few times since the amazing Halloween orgasm, and part of me worries about rushing something that feels so fragile and new.

And geez, my birthday is just around the corner. Should I tell him? What if he thinks I expect a gift? Oh, I’m overcomplicating all of this…

Rhea and Skipper’s voices snap me out of my thoughts one afternoon as I sit on the couch mid-November.

I’m absently tracing the seam of a pillow while plucking on the keys of my keyboard.

The late morning light filters through the curtains, casting soft shadows on the worn rug and cluttered coffee table.

A faint smell of lavender from a nearby candle mixes with the aroma of coffee brewing in the kitchen, grounding me momentarily in the comforting familiarity of our apartment.

My chest feels heavy from the swirling guilt and uncertainty I’ve been wrestling with, but their laughter pulls me back to the present, like a sudden ray of sunlight breaking through a storm.

They’re in the kitchen, whispering conspiratorially.

I lean back, pretending not to notice, but when Skipper starts laughing, I can’t help myself.

"Alright, what are you two scheming about?" I tease, raising my eyebrows and crossing my arms with a playful smirk. "Should I be concerned?"

Rhea smirks. "Nothing you need to worry about, Miss Nosey."

"You’re horrible at keeping secrets," I shoot back. "Spill it."

Skipper walks over, a mischievous grin plastered on his face. "Don’t you have some piano to practice? Maybe you should focus on that instead of eavesdropping."

I roll my eyes. "You’re impossible. Both of you."

Rhea just laughs, shooing Skipper back into the kitchen.

I cross my arms and lean back against the couch. "Fine. If you're not going to tell me what you two are up to, at least let me know what you two are doing today?"

Rhea shrugs, grabbing a coffee mug. "I have a writing lab this afternoon, but I’m meeting some friends for lunch before that. Need a distraction before I drown in prose and sentence construction for my creative writing class."

"Sounds like my composition and theory class, but not nearly as fun. Hey, did you finish your part of the chemistry lab report due next week?" I ask Rhea.

“Yes, Laura, all the graphs have been labeled with legends and I have the headings of the paper centered. All it needs is your final touches. Do you want to submit?"

"Yeah, I'll finish up the discussion later and submit to Dr. Marsh."

Skipper grins, tossing an apple in the air, then catching it with an exaggerated flourish, letting it land on his shoulder before it glides down his arm where he pops it back into the air with his elbow, does a quick spin and catches the apple with his thumb and pinky.

"And that, ladies, is why I should have been a magician instead of an airline steward. "

I snort, shaking my head. "Yeah, because playing hacky sack with apples is really going to impress the passengers."

"Don't be jelly, Laurie Mae. Anywho, I’ve got work at the airport later training the new batch of hosts and hostesses. But before that, I’m helping Philip with some inventory at the café.

You remember him from Halloween right? The guy that looks like Michael Phelps?

Well, I couldn't say no to a working date now could I.

Plus, I need to make sure we have enough coffee to fuel your constant state of anxiety, Laura. "

I roll my eyes. "You’re both terrible. And rude. I remember Phillip, glad you two are getting along so well."

I wink at Skipper. I definitely remember Phillip. Especially when he snuck out of Skip's room two nights ago and ran smack into me as I was exiting the bathroom. Poor guy looked like a deer caught in headlights, half-dressed and scrambling to find an excuse.

"Uh, I was just looking for my...uh...phone?" he stammered.

I had just raised an eyebrow, arms crossed, before responding, "Right. And I'm the Queen of Russia."

Phillip had practically bolted, and I’d spent the rest of the following morning teasing Skipper about his very stealthy guest. Skipper had groaned every time I brought it up, dramatically tossing a dish towel over his face and muttering ,

"Why must you torment me?" To which I only responded, "Because it's fun, and your reactions are priceless."

Skipper winks back in the current time and reality, "And yet, you love us. Now go back to playing that last piece, it was pretty. Is it a new song?"

I hesitate for a moment, my fingers hovering over the keys. "Yeah, it is," I admit, a small flicker of pride warming my chest. "Just something I’ve been messing around with."

Rhea tilts her head as she pulls materials to make a sandwich from our fridge. "I'm glad you’re composing again. Maybe you’ll actually add words to this one."

I laugh lightly, shaking my head. "One step at a time, Rhea."

"Sometimes, just one moment at a time."

I shake my head and turn back to my phone, but before I can open any apps, my screen lights up with a message from Val.

Val: Hey, sunshine. Just checking in. Did you know I saw a stray cat today that looked just as grumpy as you do when you wake up? Thought of you immediately. Hope you’re surviving Rhea and Skipper’s scheming.

I snort and shake my head, typing back quickly.

Me: Wow. First of all, I’m adorable in the morning. Second, I’m highly suspicious of these two. Third, are you calling me a cat?

A reply comes almost immediately.

Val: An adorable, slightly grumpy cat, yes. But one I’d happily let nap on my couch.

I feel my cheeks heat up, but before I can craft a witty response, another message pops up.

Val: You free tonight? I’m off, and I know you are too. Come over? We can pretend to study and I’ll make you tea.

"Ooooh, Val texting you?" Skipper’s voice interrupts, and I glance up to find both of them watching me with knowing grins.

"None of your business," I reply, locking my phone and giving them my best unimpressed stare.

"You’re blushing," Rhea points out. "That means it’s definitely Val."

"I do not blush," I argue. "My skin just…reacts to warmth."

"Right, warmth generated by romantic interest," Skipper teases. "So, what’d he say? Let me guess—he’s inviting you over so you two can ‘study’?"

"He actually is," I say, rolling my eyes. "Unlike some people, Val actually does his work."

"Sounds fake," Rhea jokes. "But go on, go do your ‘studying’. We’ll be here, making bets on how much actual studying happens."

I shake my head, ignoring their laughter as I grab my bag and text Val back.

Me: Fine, but only because I like tea. And I'm going to need coffee, too. Not because of the couch nap offer.

Val: Mhm. Sure, sunshine. See you soon.

I stare at the message for a moment, feeling an unexpected warmth spread through me.

No matter how overwhelming everything else feels, Val’s messages always manage to make me smile.

Maybe it's the way he teases, or maybe it's the steady reassurance beneath his words.

Either way, I find myself looking forward to seeing him tonight more than I care to admit.

“Oh, and Laura," Rhea calls after me as I leave the kitchen, "I'm glad you are opening up to him, he's been good for you lately."

Later that evening, I’m at Val’s apartment. I’ve been feeling restless all day, and being around him seems to help. We’re sitting on the couch, a movie playing in the background, but neither of us is paying attention.

Val shifts closer, his hand brushing against mine. "You’ve been quiet tonight," he says softly. "Everything okay?"

I hesitate, looking down at our hands. "Yeah, just...a lot on my mind."