AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Stay home, stay in, stay me.
I can’t explain it, but there’s a foreboding ache swirling at the base of my throat.
Because I’m almost certain I’m being a terrible friend.
I message back.
Bee: getting ready now. Be there asap
The shots hit me hard and fast. My tolerance has been compromised after seven weeks of not drinking, and I’m already regretting tomorrow. We’re in a multilevel club called Toxicity. EDM blasts from the speakers, and the entire room is awash in purple light.
Morgan isn’t suffering the same issue as she bumps and grinds to the music. I wish I was having as much fun as she is.
My double vodka soda—the third of the night, after two tequila shots and a cosmo—sits untouched. I’m craving water, but Morgan rolled her eyes when I suggested it last time, so I’m nursing my drink and trying to stop the room from spinning.
“Catch up. I’m ready for my next round.” Her tone is reproachful. “Come on. We’re supposed to be having fun.”
She’s right. I’m being a total buzzkill right now. I need to snap out of it.
More than anything, I wish we’d simply stayed in. Maybe I’m becoming boring. Morgan is a good friend, my oldest friend. I used to be the one who suggested going out, so why am I not enjoying myself anymore?
“You know what you need to do?” Morgan passes me my drink. “Finish this while I order our next round, and then we’re going to hit the dance floor.”
The ache is back. I catch myself rubbing my neck, trying to ease it, but all it does is move it to my gut.
I don’t even know what time it is, but I’d give anything to be home in bed right now. Or the couch, curled up against Sebastian. With the soothing tale of a hippo migration in the background.
What a thrilling life I lead.
Despite the rolling nausea and the knowledge that I haven’t eaten in hours, I down my drink in three large gulps. That’s going to hurt in the morning.
Morgan leans in to yell over the music. “I wish you’d worn the skirt I offered. It’s way more flattering than those shorts.”
I resist the urge to look down, afraid that if I do, I’ll confirm Morgan’s assessment. I like these shorts, and Sebastian isdefinitelya fan.
“I’m comfortable,” I tell her for the third time tonight.
She rolls her eyes. “So, is the book done yet? You’ve been holed away for weeks now. You’ve got to be close.”
“Actually—”
“Can I be honest? When you originally told me about it, I was worried for you.” Morgan’s laugh stings like a whip. “It’s not exactly like you’re writing Pulitzer stuff, you know? And isn’t the wholeyoung girl saves the worldbit kind of over? You’re almost thirty.”
Shit, she’s probably right. I’ve spent so much time worrying about writing the damn thing that I haven’t even questioned it. Giulia’s only humoring me. Probably already has thesorry, it’s a noemail ready to go.
Morgan reaches for me when I sway on the spot. “This is why you need to get out more. You’re a lightweight now.”
The room shrinks. No one knows me like Morgan does (except Sebastian). We promised to be besties for life, to have each other’s back, no matter what. So why does her honesty cut, while Sebastian’s soothes? Has he just been placating me? Saying everything I need to hear because he thinks I’m too fragile to handle the truth?
My vision blurs in the dark, and I throw back the next shot Morgan hands me. I don’t want to think anymore.
“That’s more like it,” Morgan cheers. “You need to loosen up.”
My body feels sluggish and heavy, weighed down by an onslaught of doubt. Nothing I do tonight is right. Like an old role I don’t fit into anymore, I’ve put on the costume, but I can’t remember my lines.
“Oh my god.” Morgan says it so loudly I’m surprised the whole club doesn’t hear.
“What?”
