Page 75 of The Backup Plan

Cameron

Avery had an older brother named Isaac who died three years ago tonight.

Her brother Justin got drunk off his ass at a party and got in our friend Isaac’s face, screaming about his dead brother, like Isaac WAS his brother. Bitter shit, like how he let them all down.

Ethan

That’s messed up.

Cameron

My friend Benny and I had him by the elbows. Isaac just stood there and took it. Thousand-yard stare, just trying to let Justin get it all out, you know? This is our pseudo-Cory. Manifesting peace.

Then, Justin turns on Avery, and he’s yelling at her about having all these issues. She shot it all right back at him about how he was refusing to cope and taking it out on her and his friends.

Ethan

God, what a mess.

Cameron

After that, it’s me and a couple linemen helping him to the toilet to barf up half a bottle of tequila while she goes off with her ex to feel better.

Then when I go looking for them because Justin wants them, I find Isaac snuggling her. I just stood there for a minute until he said something that upset her.

Ethan

Maybe he’s not quite the Steal-Your-Girl version of Cory if he upset her after all that. But to be safe, I am paging @CoryThatcher, the one and only, since I am not qualified to handle this alone.

Cory Thatcher has joined the private chat.

Ethan

Wake up, Thatch. Read it all. I’ll wait.

Cory

Oh my God. Oh my freaking freaking God.

Cameron

I didn’t even get the October F-bomb. That’s encouraging.

After all that, I made the wise decision not to drive after slamming some whisky, and a cop pulled up and offered me a ride home because he recognized me from all these stupid photos.

By the way, he would have gone for it at fourth-and-two, and thought I should know.

Cory

Buddy. You’ve had a night. I’m sorry.

Cameron

I’m sorry, too. But I got myself into this mess, and I’m getting myself out.

Cory

What do you mean?