Chapter 4 HANGOVER

RACHAEL

"I don't think you should be alone tonight," Amy says softly, her voice filled with concern. "Please, stay here. Spend the night, and tomorrow we'll figure out what to do next. It's already late."

I shake my head, trying to force a smile, but it feels hollow.

"Thanks, Amy, but I don't want to be a burden. Let me just go home."

Amy places a hand on my arm, squeezing it gently. "You can never be a burden, Rachael. Don't be stubborn. I'll prepare the guest room for you."

I hesitate, glancing at Ethan, who nods in agreement.

"Amy's right, Rachael," he says, his voice steady. "You shouldn't be alone right now. Let's get you something to eat, okay?"

"I'm not hungry," I murmur, slumping back onto the couch. "Just give me the rest of the whiskey. I need to drown my sorrows. I can't sleep, even if I tried. Let me just knock myself out and forget everything, even if it's just for tonight."

Ethan exchange a worried glance with Amy, but after a moment of hesitation, he hands me the bottle.

"Tomorrow, I'll help you find Jack. We can go to his parents' house. Maybe they know where he is."

I shake my head, the weight of exhaustion settling in. "Thanks, Ethan, but I'll take it from here. You've already done enough. In the morning, I'll drive over there myself."

He doesn't argue, just watches as I pour myself another shot of whiskey. The burn is immediate, but this time, it feels numb compared to the ache in my chest. I pour another, then another, the world around me blurring with each swallow.

By the time I take the fifth shot, I can't feel anything anymore. The pain, the confusion, the heartbreak, it all starts to fade, swallowed by the warm numbness of alcohol. The edges of the room soften, and the voices around me became distant, like they are coming from another room.

Everything is slipping away. My thoughts blur together, and before I know it, the darkness swallows me whole.

I wake up in a strange bed, my head pounding like a drum. It takes a moment for my foggy brain to catch up.

Where am I? I stare at the unfamiliar ceiling before the memories come rushing back. I am at Amy and Ethan's house. I had drunk way too much last night, trying to drown out the chaos of my life. But the hangover, God, the hangover, is a brutal reminder that I am no longer twenty. Thirty really hits differently.

With a groan, I reach for my phone and squint at the screen. It is early, and if I want to catch Jack's parents before they leave for work, I need to get moving. My head throbs with every movement as I swing my legs over the side of the bed, trying to gather the strength to face the day.

I stumble out of the guest room and make my way down the hall. The smell of coffee hits me as I enter the kitchen, finding Amy and Ethan already seated, having breakfast.

"Well, you two are up early," I mutter, rubbing my temples.

"I have a proposal due," Ethan replies, barely looking up from his laptop.

I raise an eyebrow, momentarily distracted. "I thought you worked for yourself."

Ethan looks up, grinning. "I do. But deadlines are deadlines, even when you're the boss."

It is still strange sometimes, thinking about how much Ethan has accomplished. He started his own software company a few years back, and now he is one of the most successful people I know. He didn't have to wake up at the crack of dawn to work, but here he is, doing exactly that. His dedication always impresses me.

"Are you okay?" Amy's voice breaks through my thoughts. "Want some coffee?"

"No, I am definitely not okay," I grumble, clutching my head. "My head is killing me. But yes, I'd love some coffee. Strong, please."

Amy pours me a mug, and I gratefully accept it. I take a big gulp without thinking and immediately regret it. "Fuck!" I yelp, pulling the mug away from my lips. "It's hot! You could've warned me."

Amy smirks. "I didn't think you'd take a giant sip like that without checking first."

Despite everything, I laugh, and surprisingly, so does Amy and Ethan. It is the first time I have laugh since yesterday. Well, since you know, the Jack situation. The sound of it feels foreign, but good.

"I need to get ready," I mutter after a moment, setting the mug down carefully. "Jack's parents live outside the city, and I want to catch them before they leave for work."

"Will you be okay to drive?" Amy asks, her brow furrowed in concern. "I can go with you if you want."

I shake my head, forcing a weak smile. "I'll be fine. Don't worry."

Amy doesn't seem convinced but doesn't press further. Instead, she stands and motions for me to follow her to the master bedroom. "Let's get you some clothes."

I trail behind her as she rummages through her closet, eventually handing me a soft chiffon top and a pair of jeans.

"These should fit," she says, giving me a reassuring smile.

"Thanks," I mutter, taking the clothes and heading to the guest bathroom. I shower quickly, letting the hot water wash away the lingering remnants of the night before. By the time I was dressed, the coffee had kicked in, and I feel slightly more human. Still fragile, but functional.

Back in the kitchen, Amy hands me the rest of the coffee. "Keep us updated on how it goes, okay?"

"I will," I blurt, trying to sound more confident than I feel. I grab my bag and keys and pause at the door. "Thanks, Amy and you too Ethan. For everything."

They both nod, their faces filled with concern as I step out into the crisp morning air. My mind already racing with the unknowns ahead. Jack's parents. Would they know where he was? Would they even tell me if they did? I had no idea what I was walking into, but I can't sit around doing nothing. I had to find answers.

I had to find Jack.