“The suspense is killing me.”
She grins, then massages oil into my cuticles. “Remy has beenin a funk since his ex-boyfriend came back and started stalking him— don’t ask, it’s a long story— but basically I’m dragging his depresso ass out tonight… and I was thinking… You could meet us there.”
“Are you asking me out again, church girl?”
“Maybe?” She shakes her head and straightens. “You know what? Yes. Yes, I am. Cade Warren, will you come to a shitty college club to get drunk and make out on the dance floor with me?”
I don’t know how I’ll get there but…
“I’d love to.”
Fifty-Eight
ANDREA
This is your punishment.It’s your fault. This is what you get for being such a sinful slut. You were warned, but you fell for temptation anyway, and now look, you’re drinking away the pain again.
Intrusive thoughts are the only things capable of breaking through the blaring sirens of pain. Tight clothes make it worse. Drinking makes it worse. Sitting makes it worse. Standing makes it worse.
I’m cursed.
Maybe if you repent?—
I knock back another shot. I really shouldn’t be getting sloshed in front of Win. Then again, the maniac willingly walked into a club of vices while in recovery because he can’t stand to let Remy out of his sight. My best friend might be furious with the guy, but I can’t lie, his dedication is impressive. Reckless. But impressive.
“That bad tonight?”
I signal the bartender for another round of shots before twisting to face my old roommate. More like ex-situationship.
At a point in time, I was convinced I could date Melody— we meshed on so many things. Or so I thought. I’ve come to theconclusion that I was drawn to the way she moved through the world so freely. So confidently. She inspired me and introduced me to a different kind of spirituality— crystals, manifestation, occasional voodoo. And while I tried to emulate her, I could never fully buy into it.
I’m too jaded.
Too skeptical.
Too angry.
The bartender slides another drink and two more shots to me. Wordlessly, I pass one to Melody, clink the glass to hers, then down mine.
Nodding to herself, “O-kay. That bad. Got it.”
“I looked at the lab results.”
She doesn’t need an explanation for my shitty mood or binge drinking. Shit, I don’t even want to talk about this right now, but here I am, doing exactly that.
“And?”
Leaning on the bar, I sip my new cocktail. Nothing douses the flames consuming me from the inside.
“There was nothing wrong.”
It makes no sense. None at all. It can’t be in my head. I’m not imagining it. But according to those results… I am.
Pity wells in her eyes. “Drea…”
“I need to numb this shit so I can referee.”
Melody squeezes next to me, facing the opposite direction, our arms pressed together. “I’ll keep an eye on them.”
