“What the fuck, guys?” I say over my shoulder.
I run to the door, but I don’t see Alex anywhere. She seemed pretty upset when Becca started talking about her past, and I need to see if she’s alright. I can’t let her go again. I didn’t even get to talk to her very much tonight, and ever since I first saw her after the show, that’s all I’ve wanted to do. Becca chased her away before I even had time to get her number.
Shit! I think that’s her. I see her just up the street, getting into a cab. I start running, but the cab pulls away from the curb before I can even get close.
FUCK! I lost her.
Becca has already left by the time I get back to our booth in the bar. The guys say she grabbed her stuff and left right after I chased after Alex, saying something about learning to keep her big mouth shut. I’d thought Johnny may have gotten Becca’s number, since they seemed to hit it off, but she’d run out so fast that he didn’t get the chance.
Now I have no way of finding Alex. FUCK!
Chapter 16
Alex - Hangovers, Pops, and Pizza
Iwake up the next morning to sound of Becca trying to knock down my door. Wait, no, that’s the banging in my head. Shit, I am way too old to be drinking the way I did last night. I got home and had downed another 4 shots of whiskey before Becca walked in not 15 minutes after me. We had a good talk; she apologized for getting carried away and not listening when I told her to stop talking about my past, and we’re all good now. Best friends for 20 years trumps being a dick for five minutes.
Now if the marching band that has taken up residence in my head could just fuck off, I’d be golden.
“Hey girl, sorry to wake you, but I thought you said you have to go to work today?” Becca pokes her head in the door, looking like she’s still feeling sheepish about blabbing my business to the guys last night.
The guys. That’s another problem. I wanted to talk to Connor more. But I left in such a hurry I didn’t get that chance. After hearing about my track record, he probably wasn’t feeling it anymore, anyway. Hell, I was probably just imagining the flirting he was doing at the meet and greet. Just his rock star persona coming out. But then why did he invite you out? Ugh, shut up brain. I can’t deal with you right now.
“Yeah.” Holy shit, my mouth is dry. “I have to work at noon. Why? What time is it now?” I need water and medication. And maybe a bucket. Scratch that. Definitely a bucket. I jackknife out of bed, ignoring the increased pounding in my head, and sprint/stumble to the bathroom. I barely make it to the toilet before I’m puking up everything I drank last night. And everything I’ve ever eaten in my life from the looks of it.
“Ew, gross. Let me grab you some water.” Becca runs to the kitchen to grab a bottle of cold water from the fridge. The angel also brings me some Tylenol while she’s at it. “Here, take these too. And drink that entire bottle, it will help.”
“Oh my god, thank you so much.” I lean back against the nice cool bathtub and take the pills and water bottle from her hands. “So what time is it?”
“Yeah, about that. It’s already 11:45. You are going to be so late if you don’t start running, like, right now.” Becca looks amused at the thought of me running right now, and rightfully so, considering I can’t even stand up at the moment. “Can I do anything to help?”
“Shit. Can you grab my phone? I’m just going to call in sick. They can order food today. I’m sure they’ll survive.” Probably not the best idea, considering they already don’t like me, but there’s no way I can even look at food right now, let alone prepare it. Just thinking of having to touch raw meat has me throwing up again. Oh, look. I have some food left to puke up after all. I weakly stretch up and flush, grabbing some toilet paper to wipe my mouth while I’m at it.
“Oh sweetie,” she frowns at me. “I’ll just get your phone and leave it here on the counter for when you’re ready. I’d call soon, though. It’s pretty much noon now.” Becca goes to my room and grabs my phone for me. I pick it up and dial my client right away.
“Alex.” She picks up on the first ring. “Why aren’t you here yet? We’re having people over this afternoon and you need to prepare the food.”
“That’s actually why I called Mrs. Johnson. I’m very sick today and I won’t be able to make it in. I’m sorry for the late notice. I wish I’d known in advance that you were having company though, I would’ve begun preparing everything yesterday.” Of course they would plan a party and expect me to cater without telling me first. Too bad just the thought of preparing food throws me into another round of loud retching. Good news though, there’s no way there’s anything left in my stomach now. From the looks of what’s in the toilet bowl, I’m going to need to take some new Tylenol, though. They didn’t even get the chance to dissolve.
“This is completely unprofessional and totally unacceptable, Alex. I will consider this your resignation. I will mail your last check to you. Do not come back.” And she hung up on me. Ok, then. I guess I also need to find a new job now.
“Awesome news, Becca,” I yell out. Huh, when I yell into the toilet bowl, it makes an echo. Funny. “Hello, -lo, -lo, -lo.” I laugh at my sweet toilet bowl echo.
“The fuck are you doing?” Becca is back in the doorway now, looking at me funny. That’s fair. I am yelling ‘hello’ into the toilet and laughing after all.
“The bowl makes my voice echo,” I explain, even though it should be obvious. “But I have good news. I don’t have to work today after all. Turns out I’m fired.” I chuckle about that. Maybe I’m still drunk? That could explain why everything is so funny. “So my calendar just opened up. What are we doing today?”
“Oh Alex, that sucks. You don’t seem very broken up about it?” Becca can’t quite figure out why I seem so calm about not having a job.
“I hated that family. The husband was a dirty old pervert who ‘accidentally’ brushed against me too many times. I wouldn’t have lasted too much longer, anyway. At least being fired now means I won’t have any assault charges to look forward to.” I’ve never actually been charged with anything, but I have used violence to solve problems before and it’s really only a matter of time. I turn and use the side of the bathtub to help push myself off the floor. If I keep my head tilted a little, my head doesn’t pound as hard. That’s a pleasant discovery. “So, should we go out and celebrate?”
“Raincheck?” Becca asks. “I have a wedding to shoot today, and they want me there for the entire day. I have to stay and shoot the entire reception, too. It’s a big paycheck, and the couple is well connected. If I play my cards right, I could shoot every major wedding in the city next summer.”
“Oh yeah, totally. That’s no problem.” I’m a little bummed. We sorted out our issue last night, but I wanted to talk some more about what happened (or didn’t happen) with Connor. I suppose we can do that later. “I guess I can just get started on my job hunt then. Set up some interviews and stuff.”
“Ok, awesome.” Becca is checking all her camera bags. I didn’t even notice that she’s wearing one of her tailored suits already. This one is a medium grey colour with a bit of a sheen to it, and she’s paired it with a pastel pink shirt. The wedding must start soon if she’s already dressed. “I need to be going now if I’m going to make it in time. I can text you later if I think I’ll be home early enough to do something tonight, ok?” She doesn’t even wait for my answer before walking out the door. She must really be in a hurry.
Guess I’ll go see Pops later, then. But first I’m going back to bed. Thanks to my bitch of an ex boss, I get some time to sleep off my hangover. Best day ever!
