2 Weeks Later
The last two weeks Alby had spent either drunk or high, which was rare for him outside of a party. He liked the occasional beer with dinner, or a smoke on the balcony, but it was nothing like this. He was unraveling. The pressure of his lies was dragging him down, and he felt like his secrets were written across his forehead.
His life was coming apart.
The cops were watching him out of the corners of their eyes, Scarlet seemed to be everywhere he looked, he was seriously beginning to worry about Bea, and things with him and Sam had been...off, lately. Not bad, just...different. He figured it was all in his head, his latest secret, sitting heavily in his gut. He needed to tell someone. He tried telling Bea, more than once, but then he'd remember how much she hated Scarlet and he'd whimp out.
Standing in front of the mirror in his apartment, he thought he looked sick. His eyes were a little sunken in, his skin was too pale, and he was pretty sure he was sweating. With a sigh he wiped his forehead and then pressed it against the cool glass. He couldn't even remember the last time he'd eaten.
A text from Bea came in claiming she was going to be late, and Alby tried not to laugh because so was he. Finally he picked himself up and finished dressing. Slacks, a lilac button down which he actually tucked in, a nice jacket to go on over it. He usually liked these galas - he could be anyone he wanted for the night. Prim and proper and the kind of kid his father would have actually claimed.
The thought made his stomach twist and Alby actually almost threw up. Which would have been interesting, since he was pretty sure there was nothing to throw up. He sighed, tried to fix his hair, and then finally left the apartment. By the time he reached his destination, most people were already there.
He ran his hands through his hair and glanced around the room as soon as he entered. Of course, he saw Sam first, surrounded by a group. If it had just been Bea, he would have happily made his way over. But it wasn't. Alby's throat closed as he realized Scarlet was over there, and for a moment he panicked, but then he realized that she had no idea he was dating Sam, there would be no reason for her to spill their secret, so he relaxed. Declan Cain was over there too, and Alby was not a fan of him, so instead of trying to steal a few moments small-talk with his boyfriend, he just avoided the area altogether. At least until he caught Ellie's gaze, which wasn't exactly friendly. Fantastic.