I run into Ruth outside the bathrooms on my way back behind the bar. She's wiping her eyes and looks like a deer caught in the headlights of a truck when she sees me standing there. "Hey, I um had something in my eye." She says not very convincingly.

"Are you okay?" I ask trying to determine the situation. When I look over my shoulder at Lacey, she's smiling and chatting with another customer. She seems completely unaware of the fact that Ruth was crying in the bathroom.

"I'm fine. It's just been a long day and I think I'm ready to call it a night." Her voice sounds stuffy which is no doubt because she was crying. Ruth is definitely not as drunk as she was acting. In fact, she seems to be almost sober.

Her eyes shift to look at where I know Lacey is but her expression is as guarded as Lacey's is. What are they hiding? "Do you need me to call a cab for you guys? I'm off in forty minutes if you need a ride home."

She clears her throat, "No, I can call one myself, but thank you. She's having fun so I don't want her to end the night early. Do you mind watching over her?"

I'm confused because it's Ruth's last night in town and she doesn't want to spend it with Lacey? "Not at all. I'll make sure she gets home safe."

Ruth smiles at me, her brown eyes analyzing me. "Do you care for her?"

"What?" The question catches me off guard. Of course I care for her. Lacey is pretty much one of the only people I can stand to be around lately and I'm almost shocked by how quickly I've let her get close to me.

"Dean I'm not an idiot, but who knows? Maybe you're one. Lacey is the best person I know and you'd be stupid to take her for granted. Do you care about her?"

The intensity of her gaze makes me fumble with my words, "I care about her a lot. I'd never hurt her."

My answers seems to appease whatever Ruth was looking to find, "Good. Don't tell her I left until she asks. Just keep her safe, okay?"

I nod dumbly and Ruth makes a stealthy escape towards the exit while I approach Lacey and her new friend. "Oh Dean! Good, you're back. This is..." She trails off, looking at him confused.

"Peter." He finishes for her and I can't help the twinge of a smile that appears on my face because she forgot this dude's name. "Can you make her another drink and put it on my tab please?"

I look at her face carefully for any signs of being too drunk because while Ruth might not have been as drunk as I thought, Lacey definitely is. "Sure thing, do you want anything?"

"Just a Budlight please."

I make her drink with far less rum than it calls for because I don't think she needs much more. Especially if she doesn't drink then her having three real drinks should be enough. A fourth would have her rolling on the floor.

"Here's another sex on the beach and a Budlight for you sir." I say sending a wink to Lacey who is already giggling.

She's in a much better mood than when she first got here. I have no doubt it's the reason Ruth went back to Lacey's apartment without her. I was very surprised when Ruth said that Lacey used to have a crush on Hayes. The idea of Lacey and Hayes together is just weird.

I busy myself with collecting glasses from around the tables while keeping a close eye on Lacey and Peter. It's odd seeing her talk to another guy. She's pretty, a fun personality, and she gives great advice. She's like the little voice in your head that always guides you to do the right thing.

I'm glad she's having a fun time, but part of me wishes that Peter wasn't there so I could talk to her alone.

Cassidy asked about her yesterday when I apologized. I guess Lacey made quite the impression and Cass wants me to bring her around again. I made some dumb excuse about how I don't know her schedule; which I don't. I'm almost certain that Maddox wanted to punch my face in or something, yet he held back. No doubt for Cassidy's sake.

When Jupiter comes in to take over for the rest of the night, I'm relieved. Lacey doesn't look like she's doing so great anymore and I'd be lying if I didn't say I was starting to get worried about her.

What could make her get to the point of nearly being black out drunk?

"Bye Peter! Thanks for the drink," She says waving at him and I keep my arm firmly wrapped around her back before she can fall face first.

"Lace if you could help me out just a bit with your coordination, I'll be able to get you home faster."

She twists so quickly I almost lose my grip, but I hold onto her for dear life. "I'm having fun! I don't want the night to be over. Let's go back to your place! Maybe Linc will be up for some games."

I eye her uncertainly, "You're kinda really drunk. I think you might just want to drink a glass of water and go to bed." I continue leading her out the doors to where my car is parked on the curb.

"No Dean, I don't want to go to bed. I want to live my life. Going to bed at nine p.m. is not living my life to the fullest." She pouts, jutting her bottom lip out. Lacey's chocolate eyes are staring straight at me and I find myself nodding along.

"Do you have any ideas?"

This is a terrible idea. I should just take her home. I doubt she'll remember all this tomorrow morning.

She gasps loudly and wiggles out of my grip, "I know exactly what I want to do."

"Which is?" I prod, waiting for her to continue, but I'm worried because of how widely Lacey is smiling.

"I want to ride a mechanical bull."

"What?"

"I want to ride a mechanical bull," She repeats slower, trying to enunciate her words more, but it's kind of a slurry mess.

"You can't even walk in a straight line right now and you want to ride a bull? Do you even know how to?" I stutter and Lacey gives me a devilish look.

"It can't be any different than riding a man so let's go!"

Holy. Fuck.

Lacey did not just say that. I am speechless. I seriously don't know if I can make words come out of my mouth right now. I've had my fair share of sex, but hearing those words come from Lacey was kind of a turn on. Not that I'd ever admit it.

And then she trips walking down the sidewalk without me so I don't have to think, I just have to react. My god this girl is going to be the death of me. It looks like she's shaking when I kneel down next to her, but then I realize Lacey's laughing. Like completely full on laughing so hard her face is bright red.

"Are you okay?" I ask brushing her hair out of her face and she nods still giggling.

"Dean, I don't think we can go bull riding tonight."

I lift her up with no help from her because I doubt she could stand if she really wanted to. "Yeah, I think that's probably a good idea."

She is drunk. Lacey is shit faced off of four drinks. "Can we still go another time?"

"Sure Lace, we can go another time."

I end up taking her back to my apartment because I do think Ruth needed some time to herself. I'm not entirely sure what's going on, but there's definitely something going on. I just don't know what it is.

One thing I notice for sure while I carry her into the apartment is that her hands are freezing. She has them draped around my neck with her head resting on my chest. Her energy seems to have dwindled remarkably on the drive here.

"Looks like she had a good time tonight; what's the occasion?" Link asks, staring at us with curiosity from the couch where Chase is sitting next to him.

"I have absolutely no idea." I say just as her eyes flash open and she taps me weakly.

"Put me down. I think I'm going to-" I move quickly to set her on the floor, already predicting this and Lacey doesn't even finish her sentence before she turns her head the opposite way and retches.

Linc moves incredibly fast to put a bowl in front of her while I pull her hair out of her face.

"Oh my god this is so embarrassing," She mumbles and I rub her back.

"It happens to everyone. Just ask Linc," I joke trying to make her feel better, but it just results in Lacey retching again.

I notice Chase is standing nearby with a glass of water and towels to clean up the mess that was made. He genuinely looks concerned for her.

And because I'm noticing Chase, I missed the last thing Lacey mumbled. "Are you okay?" I ask, continuing to hold her hair back.

"I'm never drinking again."

Linc chuckles, "Been there and tried that. I hope you have better luck than me."

Somehow though, I think Lacey means it. Another minute of heavy breathing and Chase moves in with the water and towel.

"I'm so sorry guys, I don't drink. This isn't me. It was just..." She trails off slowly losing her train of thought. "Thank you. I'll do a deep clean tomorrow or something," Lacey says after wiping her mouth on the towel.

I wait for any movement from her to start moving her towards the bathroom because she needs to shower for sure. I like the girl but she smells like the bar after a crowded night.

Once we're in the bathroom, I notice how pale her face is. Lacey looks like shit and I'm sure she feels like it. "Do you want anything to eat? It might be a good idea to try and eat some chips?"

"Just help me out of my clothes please," She says pulling her shirt over her head or at least trying to. I guess throwing up didn't help her sober up much since her hands get stuck on the way out. I stifle my laughter, knowing I've been in the same position as her, but what catches my attention isn't her breasts or the lacy bralette she's wearing. It's the long scar running down the middle of her chest that catches my attention. "Dean? A little help here?"

I snap out of it and help her escape the confines of the shirt, but I can't help when my gaze shifts back to the scar. It's huge.

And then she realizes what I'm staring at. "You're staring," She says carefully.

"I know." I look up at her face trying to keep my eyes from drifting back down because the scar is right on her chest and it isn't polite to stare. "What happened?"

I've spent enough time with her to know that she is uncomfortable with the question. "It's nothing. I-I had a hole in my heart that they found when I was a kid. It's from a long time ago." I'm shocked she tells me anything to begin with, but then just as fast, Lacey drops to her knees hard to throw up again in the toilet and the conversation's over with.

I resume my spot from earlier holding her hair out of her face because I don't know how else to help. She had a hole in her heart? I've known Lacey for a month and a half and had absolutely no idea.

"I'm so sorry about this," She groans lifting her head up.

"Seriously don't worry about it. I just want to make sure you're okay."

Lacey smiles faintly at me, "Thank you for being such a good friend."

I return the smile easily ignoring the way it hits me, "Of course. I'm going to turn the water on for you and I'll grab some clothes that you can change into."

The water warms up quickly and I find some of Cassidy's old shampoo and conditioner under the sink that I set in the shower for her. Lacey gets up on shaky legs, but doesn't take anymore of her clothes off.

I turn away to open the door to give her some space when she speaks again, "Dean?"

I hesitate before turning back, "Yeah?"

"Are you and Paige together?"

The truth is, I have no idea. I'm confused. "I don't know," I push the words out, knowing they're laced with uncertainty. I wish I could give a straight answer to that question when I'm asked it, but I can't.

Lacey nods slightly and I take that as my cue to leave.

Linc is cleaning up the area where Lacey got sick and I feel bad, "I was going to clean that up once I got her in the shower."

"Only a little got on the floor so it's not a big deal. Is she okay?"

"She will be." I think at least. I don't quite know what's going on, but I do know that Lacey wasn't herself tonight. When she called earlier to ask what I was doing, I didn't think she'd be puking and showering at my apartment. "I'm going to grab Lacey some of my clothes so she has something to change into."

He waves me off and I knock twice before opening the bathroom door to set the sweatshirt and boxers on the counter before retreating.

Linc is back to watching whatever football game is on tv right now and Chase is grabbing a beer out of the fridge. "You ready for shift tomorrow?" I ask, grabbing my own beer once he's done.

I could use a drink right now.

"There's a new paramedic starting so it could be interesting?" He says, twisting the lid off his bottle.

"They already replaced Rudy?"

He shrugs, "It's probably a floater but it should be interesting at least." Chase pauses and looks just a bit uncomfortable. "Can I ask you something?"

I twist off my own lid, nodding because whatever question he has can't be worse than when Lacey asked if Paige and I were together. "Go for it."

"Are you into her? Lacey I mean."

I just about drop my bottle out of shock because that wasn't what I thought he was going to ask me. My god why is everyone dropping bombs on me tonight. Not that this should be a hard question because I'm not.

"No, she's just a friend."

He doesn't look like he believes me. "So you guys aren't dating?"

I force out a chuckle to defuse the awkwardness of this situation, "That is what being friends means. Are you interested in her?"

Chase rubs the back of his neck, "Kind of. I didn't want to step on any toes so I thought I should ask you first."

"Go for it. Lacey's a great girl." My stomach twists at the thought of Lacey and Chase together, but I say nothing. Lacey is a great person and if Chase can make her happy then why shouldn't he ask her out.

"Thanks man, I appreciate it." His smile is wide as he heads back to the living room to hangout with Linc.

When I get a call from Paige moments later, I decline the call and hang my head.

I don't think I can handle anymore surprises tonight.