unexpected catch ...2

I leaned against the sink, still dizzy, but my eyes never left Leo.

He crossed his arms, clearly annoyed, his gaze sharp.

"You really are hopeless. Drinking like you've got something to prove."

I smirked through the haze.

"Maybe I do. Or maybe I just wanted to forget your irritating voice for once."

Leo stepped closer, eyes narrowing.

"Tch. You'd miss me if I shut up. You're obsessed, admit it."

Before I could shoot back, he pulled a handkerchief from his pocket—clean, folded—and tossed it toward me.

It hit my chest and slid down. I caught it, blinking.

"Dry your face. You're a mess."

His tone was sharp, but his eyes lingered a second too long—concern hiding behind all that fake indifference.

I wiped my face slowly, deliberately.

"Aww, Leo. Didn't know you carried hankies for dramatic rescues."

His jaw ticked.

"Don't flatter yourself. I keep it for me—not strays like you."

But his ears betrayed him, turning a light shade of pink.

As he turned to leave, I called after him,

"You're bad at pretending you don't care."

He stopped in the doorway, didn't look back.

"And you're bad at walking straight. Try not to fall for me again on the way out."

Then he was gone—leaving the handkerchief still warm in my hand and my heart beating way too loud for someone who "doesn't care."

And then I walked back to our table, still holding that same handkerchief in my hand.

When I looked up, I saw that Nova's driver had come to pick her up.

But there was no way I was going to let a girl go home alone with just a driver—not at this hour, not in this state.

So I told Nova to go with Aven.

Then I turned to the driver and said,

"Drop Nova home first, then take Aven."

Aven, swaying and clearly half-drunk, tried to act like the hero.

"I'll take care of her…" he slurred.

I sighed and cut him off sharply,

"Try taking care of yourself first."

Even in my slightly tipsy haze, my eyes lingered on that damn handkerchief.

Still warm from his grip. Still smelling faintly like him.

Why the hell did I keep holding onto it?

And after that, I tried to wake Jace up—

But realized he had passed out completely after drinking.

I thought maybe I should just carry him home myself.

But someone like me couldn't even manage to move him an inch.

Frustrated, I looked at him and snapped,

"Who the hell told you to be built like a damn ox?!"

"Now tell me—how the hell are we supposed to get home?"

Defeated, I just plopped down beside him with a heavy sigh.

Just then, Leo walked over.

He looked at me and asked,

"Need any help?"

I glanced at him with pleading eyes, then pointed at Jace with a small pout.

He chuckled, clearly amused,

"Aww… that's too much weight for a little cutie ."

Then he laughed again, obviously enjoying himself.

Annoyed, I snapped,

"Stop calling me cutie, seriously!"

But he just supported Jace, lifting him effortlessly and smirking,

"Like it or not… you are a cutie."

I rolled my eyes at him with a groan, but my face was definitely getting warm.

Leo adjusted Jace on his shoulder like it was nothing, then looked at me and tilted his head smugly.

"Coming or just planning to admire me carrying your brother all night?" he asked, a playful smirk tugging at his lips.

I scoffed, standing up.

"I wasn't admiring you, idiot."

But I followed him anyway, muttering under my breath.

We reached the parking lot.

Leo gently helped Jace into the passenger seat, then opened the back door for me with a dramatic bow.

"Your royal carriage, my lady," he said, clearly trying to get on my nerves.

I rolled my eyes again and climbed in without saying a word.

Leo shut the door and I went ahead and sat in the front seat beside the driver.

Leo glanced at me through the rearview mirror, raising an eyebrow but didn't say anything.

The car began moving. Soft music played in the background, and for a while, silence wrapped around us like a blanket.

I leaned my head slightly against the window, hoping the cool glass would calm my spinning head.

Suddenly, Leo leaned forward from the back seat and whispered to the driver,

"Drive slow… they've had a rough night."

His voice was quiet, but I heard it.

I didn't turn around, just let out a small sigh.

A few seconds later, Leo softly added,

"You okay up there, cutie?"

I narrowed my eyes at the windshield and replied without looking back,

"Say cutie again and I swear I'll jump out of this car."

He chuckled behind me.

"Relax. You're safe. Even if you're being a brat tonight."

A tiny, stupid smile tugged at the corner of my lips—thankfully, he couldn't see it from where he was sitting.

I hate him.

I totally hate him.

…Right?

A while later, the car finally stopped in front of my house.

I got out first, and Leo followed, dragging Jace out of the car like a sack of potatoes.

I unlocked the door, stepping aside, and pointed him toward Jace's room upstairs.

Without saying a word, Leo carried Jace up with those stupidly strong arms, like it was no big deal.

He walked in, dumped him straight onto the bed, and let out a dramatic sigh of relief.

I couldn't help but chuckle.

Leo gave me a side-eye but didn't say anything.

Then he started adjusting Jace's legs, trying to get the idiot to lie down properly.

He bent down to lift Jace's legs onto the bed—

And right then...

BLEURGH.

Yup. My beloved, drunken, hopeless brother puked all over Leo.

Dead silence.

Leo froze.

Like completely froze—arms halfway under Jace, face blank, shirt now decorated with Jace's masterpiece.

I gasped, one hand covering my mouth, trying so hard not to burst out laughing.

But I failed. I laughed.

"OH MY GOD—Leo!!"

I wheezed. "I swear he's not always like this—okay, no wait, he totally is—"

Leo just looked at me. That same flat, murderous expression.