“You’d have avoided seeing this asshole with the biggest bitch in town.”
I choke back a laugh that sounds more like a dying animal than someone who’s heard a joke, but it’s the best I can muster. “Right. You’re right about that.”
As we approach their table, Jake’s eyes meet mine. They’re filled with anger and then his attention is gone so swiftly that it’s like it never happened.
But it did, and it knocked the breath from my lungs. Ruby grabs my arm and hauls me forward. “Let’s go to a real bar where there are real men. The ones here are pathetic losers. Actually, they can’t even make themselves worthy of being losers.”
I have no idea how I make it out of the bar without passing out but somehow, the door slams shut behind us, and I suck down a gulp of air. And immediately start coughing from the cigarette smoke filling my lungs.
Chapter Forty-Two
Emily
Three drinks later at Callahan’s Bar, and I’m on a roll. Thankfully, Ruby just returned from the restroom so she’s fully present to hear my tirade. At least this time, I’m not talking to the empty cushion across from me.
“I can’t believe that asshole picked me up, took me to his house, and ruined any other man for me.”
I pick up the fourth drink and sip the smooth watermelon and tequila mixture through the straw to pure frozen torture.
“Fuck!” My eyes cross as I set the drink back down with a thump and squeeze my eyelids shut. Like that has ever helped cure brain freeze for anyone. I whimper in pain as the seconds tick by.
Jesus. That fucking hurts. I inhale as the world spins.
“Are you okay?” Ruby pats my hand.
The band plays a fast song, and the college crowd jumps up, running to the dance floor. With a collective roar, they shout the lyrics to a familiar tune.
Ruby. Right. I crack my eyes back open. Right. I’m here with Ruby. I blink again. At Callahan’s.
Okay. I straighten my shoulders and sit upright in the booth seat. This is why I rarely drink. I’m going to feel like dog shit tomorrow. What does that even mean? I frown as the room fades away with Ruby’s fuzzy face frowning back at me.
How does dog shit feel? How about I’ll feel like I swallowed dog shit? I lick my teeth. Yeah, when I wake up tomorrow, that’s a strong possibility.
“I’m fine.” I wave my hand dismissively. “I’ve never felt better.”
“Somehow, I don’t think that’s true, and I feel awful for even suggesting we come here after Rusty Nail. You’re going to feel like terrible tomorrow.”
“Thankfully, I’m off work tomorrow so I can spend the day hovering over the toilet and hoping it doesn’t take off.”
“What’re you even talking about?” Ruby wrinkles her nose. She agreed to be my designated driver as I spilled the details of my night with Jake. And now, she’s stuck babysitting me. I’d feel sorry for her but I’m too busy feeling sorry for myself.
“I’ll hold the toilet down, so it doesn’t take off.” How can she not understand that?
“God, you’re a mess,” she laughs and shakes her head. “You’d better remember this night when I need a DD in the future.”
“You’re on.” Tears fill my eyes as I lean across the table. “I love you and Bella so much.” The waitress brings a platter of appetizers to the next table.
I’m starving. I shift to my right. They surely wouldn’t notice if I snatched one of those fried mushrooms, would they? I scoot to the edge of the seat.
“Stop.” Ruby smacks my hand. “You will not steal someone’s food.”
“Spoilsport.” I settle back into the cushions. What was I saying? My brain is blank. Was I talking?
Right. My head shifts up and down as a light bulb goes off in my brain. Ruby and Bella. I was talking about Bella and Ruby. The best friends in the world. “You and Bella are the absolute best friends a girl could have.” The words are slightly slurred. “I don’t know what I’d do without you. And to think Bella is going to forget all about us.”
“She’s got a boyfriend, not moving to a different country.”
“It’s the same thing. She’s going to be happy and properly plowed on a daily basis. She’s not going to want to hang out with me while I wallow in misery.”
