“Shots!” I shrieked an indeterminable amount of time later as we sat around a small table in Jodie’s living room. I’d been going pretty hard since I’d arrived and I knew in the back of my mind I should slow down. My tolerance wasn’t like it used to be and ending the night puking wasn’t anyone’s idea of a good time. Plus, Ryan had been decidedly grabby, and I’d tried various tactics to try to get him to back off. I knew I should have a clearer state of mind to deal with him but, somehow another shot made its way down my throat.
Imagine that.
My mind drifted constantly to Sal. Perhaps he was all “cooled” off. As far as I was concerned, he couldcool offuntil he froze.
The rational part of me knew couples fought and that Sal and I were in for a rocky road ahead. We were both extremely passionate people who were getting to know each other in a different way, a more real way than we had before.
Despite being pissed at Sal, I still didn’t want him to worry and I’d shot him off a text when I’d first arrived.
Out with Jodie, I’ll be safe.
He’d responded within seconds.
Address NOW.
I winced. After that, I’d put my phone on silent and put it in my purse. A few more drinks and I easily put my worries aside.
I took a breather and stepped out on Jodie’s balcony to call Scarlet. I knew in my foggy head that it was probably late, but I needed my friend. I’d been keeping her at arm’s length lately, something I was great at, but I missed her and in my drunken state I needed her.
“Kat?” she answered sounding sleepy.
“Oh, sorry, Scar!” I exclaimed. I knew in my current state I was talking really loudly from where I stood outside.
“What’s going on?” she asked.
“Oh, I’m just over at Jodie’s,” I answered breezily. “I wish you were here. You’d like her friends! Except for Ryan, he’s a bit grabby,” I complained.
“He’s putting his hands on you?” she asked, sounding concerned and a bit confused.
“Yeah, but I’m out here now to talk to you,” I answered as though that explained everything.
“Sal’s been looking for you,” she replied wearily.
I made a sound between a huff and a snort. “Sal thinks he wants to find me, but he doesn’t,” I answered sagely.
“I think maybe I should come pick you up,” she surmised.
“No!” I squealed like a child. “I never have any fun anymore.Thisis fun. If I have to get felt up in the process, so be it,” I slurred slightly.
I could hear Cole murmuring in the background and I sighed. “Sorry, Scar. Shit, you must need your sleep. Tell Cole I said sorry. I’ll call you tomorrow,” I apologized.
“Wait, Kat…” she tried, but I was already in the process of hanging up. I looked at my phone–2:30 AM. Shit, why had I called her? She had a newborn baby. I was such a bitch. I was getting myself in all kinds of trouble tonight.
“There you are,” Jodie grinned when I stepped back into the living room. “Want another?” she asked with a smile, indicating the liquor bottle.
“Definitely,” I nodded. It looked like her couch would be my bed for the night. I certainly wasn’t driving home.
I stood chatting with Jodie and her friend Sarah in the kitchen, avoiding Ryan as much as possible.
“Want another?” Ryan’s voice sounded in my ear.
I flinched but quickly recovered with a nervous laugh. “No thanks,” I said as I shook my head, ducking out of the arm he’d put around my shoulder.
I heard a loud pounding but couldn’t immediately place its source. “What the hell?” Jodie asked.
The pounding sounded again, clearly coming from the front door. Seconds later, Sal filled the doorway, his dark gaze sweeping the room before it rested on me.
Gah! What was he doing here?