The Worst is Yet to Come

Colin poured himself into the passenger’s side of the car and closed his eyes. He’d had quite a long day at the BBQ, and not especially the bonzer of a time he’d hoped for. He’d had quite a bit to drink throughout the day and his friends finally cut him off and helped him over to where Alex had parked his car.

“All set?” Alex asked, as he slid smoothly behind the wheel of the car and started the engine.

“Yeah, whatever, Mate,” Colin mumbled, rubbing his bloodshot eyes.

Alex cocked an eyebrow at him, knew the man was obviously in pain. He saw how Colin looked at his ex, Kate, and her smarmy husband, Sid. He could tell by the look on his friend’s face when he found out Kate was pregnant that Colin obviously still had feelings for the woman. And then there was Abby and Dwayne... Dwayne, the fellow that had hired him to find his missing wife. Shit. Tough one, but better that she broke it off with Colin now than in six months. Woulda been a hell of a lot worse.

It was a short drive from Glenridge Station to Colin’s house in the Glen. Once Alex had pulled into the drive and parked, he quickly jumped out of the car and opened the passenger’s side door for Colin, startling him awake.

“Here, let me help,” he told Colin, wrapping an arm around his back and looping it under his shoulder.

“Thanks, but I think I can manage on my own,” Colin told him, slurring the words as he pushed Alex away.

Alex put his hands up, then watched as Colin tried to steady himself on his good leg. Unfortunately, Colin didn’t quite make it and fell just as he tried to take a step out of the car.

“And down he goes,” Alex commented, as he quickly stooped down and helped Colin back up onto his feet. “Keys,” he told him, putting his hand out in front of him.

“Wha...?” Colin asked, his eyes half open.

“Give me your keys so I can open the door for you,” Alex told him.

Colin rummaged around in his pockets until he finally produced the set of keys and handed them over to Alex, who then unlocked the front door and helped Colin into the house.

“Thanks, Mate,” Colin said with a sloppy grin on his face. “You’re alright, Ross,” he slurred, as Alex deposited him down on the couch.

“You’re gonna be alright too, friend,” Alex told him, grinning, as Colin lay down on the couch and passed out cold. “Well, after you get over one hell of a hangover in the morning, that is.”

Alex shook his head at him, then settled down in a chair and turned out the light.

TBC...