It was nearing midnight and outside the window, the street had grown quiet. The air conditioner was giving out its last breath. The rum was all gone. The last pizza slice was drying out in the open box, and the chicken wings were tiny carcasses wrapped in brown hand paper. Liam and Kieran lay side by side, drunk with food, booze, and s*x. Liam was struggling to keep his eyes open, and Kieran was drifting in and out of sleep as they whispered to each other about their lives, dreams, and past mistakes.
“We should get this place cleaned up.”
“No, I’ll set the clock on my phone an hour early,” Kieran said drowsily. “I’ll do it tomorrow morning. You’ll help me right? I mean, you don’t plan on leaving tonight, do you?”
“No, of course not, Kieran.” Liam played with a strand of Kieran’s blue ba
