Chapter One
Fallon
“You know what we haven’t done in a really long time?” Blair asks from across the salon floor. “Got drunk. Like absolutely steaming drunk. And after the piss poor time everyone is having, I think we fucking deserve it.”
“I could go for a drink. What about you, Fallon? Fancy letting your hair down and having some girls' time?” Gracie, Blair's sister, asks me.
“Girls' time? I’m stuck with the pair of you for forty hours a week. How much more girls' time could we possibly need?” Rolling my eyes, hoping the sarcasm I’m using gets my point across.
These two girls are my absolute rocks. Not only are they my best friends, along with Maya, who is currently away living with my brother, but the four of us own a hair and beauty salon together. The past few months have been hard for us all, Maya more than most. She was in an accident that left her with memory loss, and we have recently found out that it wasn’t an accident atall. But that isn’t the only thing that happened. The same night, our very good friend, and the man I was kind of dating, died whilst trying to save her.
It's been rocky to say the least.
Usually, the offer of a night out would be music to my ears. Yet, ever since that dreadful night, it’s a struggle to turn up to work and do normal daily tasks. Just the thought of leaving the house sends a bolt of anxiety through my body. Day in and day out, I fake it until I make it. Make it to bed, that is.
I am the strong one. The one whom everyone turns to. Between being there for Maya, even when she didn’t know who I was, and keeping up the façade at work for all the clients that come in, I’m spent. Emotionally as well as physically. I didn’t allow myself the time to mourn Harry and the loss of my best friend, Maya. Although she was alive, she wasn’t there. No one ever seems to be there when I need them the most. That’s why I make sure to be that person for them, as I know the feeling of being alone too well.
“That may be true, but we’re locked up in the beauty rooms for most of the day, and we need to let loose. Come on, don’t leave a girl hanging,” Blair raises a brow and crosses her arms as she stares me down.
“Oh, just bloody come, will you? You know she won't let this drop,” Gracie complains, “I have to live with her, at least come to take her off myhands for a while.”
“Bitch,” Blair adds, but I can see the smile trying to break through behind her impassive expression.
You couldn’t get sisters as opposite as these two. They're inseparable, but also complete chalk and cheese. Blair is dark and moody, whereas Gracie is a little ray of sunshine.
“Fine, but you're buying,” I say, staring them down.
“Fair,” Blair says, whilst Gracie starts jumping on the spot with a bright grin.
The salon is based in Worcester city centre, so there are loads of places to go. I wasn’t oblivious to the fact that they steered me in the opposite direction from where Harry’s bar used to be. The bar where we all spent our last night together. If only I hadn’t forced everyone to go out that night, would anything have changed?
I shake my head, trying to rid the intrusive thoughts from coming in. I can save them for when I'm trying to get to sleep later tonight.
“So, where are we going?” I ask.
Gracie links her arm through mine and gives it a little squeeze.
“I’m thinking Xpressions? Free drinks and a room for whatever you're in the mood for,” she replies.
“Sounds good to me,” Blair adds.
Jenson, one of our family friends, owns Xpressions. It’s a unique style of bar with different rooms you can go in, depending on what you're in the mood for. Usually, we would go straight to the club and dance the night away. Tonight, I’m not sure that’s the one I’ll be heading into. They're lucky I haven’t gone straight home to a tub of ice cream in bed.
“Why am I not surprised?” Gracie chuckles under her breath.
“Shut up. Are you still sleeping with him?” I ask Blair. Wow, I must have really been living under a rock.
“Only now and again. What can I say? The boy just can't get enough of me.” She says as she flicks her hair over her shoulder.
“Yeah, I’m sure it’s aaaall him,” Gracie adds.
Before Blair has the chance to reply, we’re already at the door and making our way inside. What he has done here is truly a work of art. It’s nothing like your typical nightclub; it’s almost like an old school gentlemen's club. In the hallway, the walls are covered in different shades of deep red between dark wooden beams with five doors that match. Behind each door is a different vibe completely. The girls must know the mood I'm in, as they direct us straight to the first one on the right that leads us into a chilled cocktail lounge. A low hum of jazz music and hushed voices greet us.
“Look what the cat dragged in,” a male voice calls the moment we step inside.
Jenson is sitting at a table in the far corner surrounded by a group of well-dressed men. I would usually be all over that. A man in a smart suit after a long day at work, nursing a glass of whiskey, is right up my street. But all I feel right now is hollow.
“Hi Jenson,” I say with a forced smile as we get to him.
