“Oh, boy,” I muttered. “Let me help you get him upstairs.”
“Hey, Little Daredevil.” Calder sniffed my hair as I ducked under his other arm to help balance him. “You smell nice.”
Hayes chuckled. “Anyone would smell nice compared to you, booze breath.”
“Hey, now. I had a mint.”
“There’s not a mint in the world strong enough for what you’re rocking.”
Hayes and I slowly moved Calder up the stairs and maneuvered him to his bedroom. Calder flopped back on the mattress with an oomph.
Hayes bent and picked up one of his feet. “I’ll get your boots, but if you think I’m getting you out of your jeans, you have another thing coming.”
“I don’t want you copping a feel.”
I couldn’t hold in my giggle.
Calder put a hand to his head. “The room’s spinning.”
“I’ll bet it is,” Hayes said as the boot gave way.
“Hayes,” I whispered. “I don’t think we should leave him alone tonight. What if he gets sick?”
Hayes grimaced as he pulled Calder’s second boot free. “You’re probably right. Hell, I have a seven a.m. breakfast meeting. I didn’t need this tonight.”
“I can stay.” The words were out before I considered how wise they were. “I don’t work until tomorrow night.”
He eyed me. “You sure?”
“Positive.”
A snore came from the bed.
My brows lifted. “Did he just fall asleep half off the bed?”
“I’m pretty sure he did.”
“Here, I’ll help you get him actually on the bed.”
We each picked up a leg and swung him so that Calder was at least completely on the mattress. His snores stuttered but didn’t stop.
Hayes shook his head. “You sure you got this?”
“I’m sure. Go home to your fiancée.”
“All right. I’ll lock the door on my way out. Text me if you need me.”
I moved to Calder’s dresser and snagged an extra set of house keys. “Here’s a key for the deadbolt.”
“Thanks.” He pulled me into a quick hug. “Love you, Hads.”
“Love you, too, Bubby.”
He pinched my side. “Quit with that nickname.”
I gave him an evil grin and ducked out of his hold. “Never.”
Hayes waved me off and headed for the stairs. I listened to his footfalls and then to the door opening, closing, and the deadbolt latching.