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“So, you aren’t dead. That’s good to know.”
I winced hearing Dorian’s bitchy voice on the other end. “What’da want?”
“Where the hell are you? Mom and Dad have all but called out the National Guard because you haven’t checked in.”
I pulled my phone away from my ear. The top bar showed I had about six missed calls, a couple of texts and voicemails, but more importantly I saw the time. I’d been sitting here for nearly three hours. Shit. I didn’t call to check in with them like normal when they had Shawn.
“I’ll call ‘em.” My attempt to stand forced me to reach for the bar top to steady myself. The phone fell with a loud thud onto the bar surface. A few of the servers looked in my direction. Dorian’s voice came through the speakers, calling out my name.
“Sorry, drop it.”
“Are you drunk? At two in the afternoon? What the hell, Calida?”
“No,” I returned a little too loudly. It wasn’t missed by me that the bartender had signaled for someone to come over.
“Bullshit. I can hear it in your voice. Where the hell are you?”
“None your business. I’ll see you home.”
“Like hell. You can barely talk. No way can you drive. You’ll kill someone, if not yourself.”
I let out a groan, knowing she was right. I didn’t think I’d had that many to drink, but honestly, I’d lost count. Giving in, I told her where I was then hung up. After paying my tab I stumbled my way to the bathroom to relieve my overly full bladder.
Sitting at the bar, drinking a glass of water, I could almost feel Dorian’s disapproving presence before I saw her.
“Let’s go.”
I thanked the bartender before grabbing my purse and sliding off the stool, wobbling in the process, forcing Dorian to catch me before I hit the floor.
“A hug, Dorian? You do care!” My arms wrapped around her tighter, nearly taking us both to the floor.
“Stop making a scene,” she grumbled, removing my arms from around her. “Did you at least eat something?”
I shook my head.
“Great. You better not puke in my car or you’re buying me a new one.”
“Puked. Check. So, all good.” I gave her a big grin, and she rolled her eyes in response.
The manager came up and explained to Dorian that my car could stay here until she or I could come back to get it. Then he helped get me out to her car. I rested my head against the window, closed my eyes, and enjoyed the cool AC blowing against my face.
“Just so you know, I told Mom and Dad that you are home sleeping.”
I opened one eye as I looked over at her. “Why?”
“Because I thought that was better than saying their daughter was a lush, who got wasted in the middle of the day.”
“You shouldn’t frown. Makes your wrinkles stand out.”
“Excuse me?”
I sat up, covering my mouth quickly as a wave of nausea hit. Dorian made quick work of pulling over, but the feeling passed. Still, she waited in the strip-mall parking lot for a few minutes to be sure.
“Why’d you lie?” I asked through a yawn.
“What are you talking about?”
“About where I was, why’d you lie?” Sleep threatened to overtake me at any moment.
