Alex/ older brothers best friend

Alex’s name swam on the screen for a second before my eyes focused. I frowned. It was past midnight.

“Hello?” He said.

“Hey,” I said back—then paused. “Wait. Hi. Sorry.”

There was a brief silence on the other end, followed by a sigh. “You okay?”

“Yeah. Totally. I mean—yes.” I glanced around, trying to take inventory of where I was. Music thumped somewhere behind me, muffled by walls and distance. “Actually, can I ask you something?”

Another pause. Longer this time. “That depends.”

“Can you pick me up?”

He didn’t answer right away. I could picture him sitting up wherever he was, rubbing his face, checking the time.

“Where are you?” he asked.

I looked at the street sign across the road, squinting. “Uh. Near a taco place? With a green sign.”

“That narrows it down,” he said dryly.

I laughed, then immediately winced. “I can send my location.”

“Please do.”

I fumbled with my phone, nearly dropping it before managing to send the pin. There was a moment of silence, then—

“Are you drunk?”

“No,” I said automatically. Then, quieter, “Okay, maybe a little.”

He exhaled through his nose. “Stay where you are. I’ll be there in twenty.”

“Thank you,” I said, relief washing over me. “You’re the best, and please don’t tell my brother.”

“I’m hanging up.” Alex replied, already sounding tired.

The call ended. I stared at my phone for a second, then slipped it back into my pocket and leaned against the wall, listening to the music and waiting.