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“Who?” I yelled.
She shook her head again. I wanted her to tell me everything, but it wouldn’t be fair to ask since I had kept so much from her.
“Let’s go,” she said.
“How? The streets are blocked off and packed.”
“Oh, crap.”
“Let’s get a drink. I’m done being sober and sobby.”
She laughed and followed me to the bar. We stayed for another hour, and I was beyond ready to go. My feet hurt like hell. Rebecca was drunk and sang loudly while we waited for a cab. Anna was holding Riley up.
When the cab arrived, Anna and I pushed Riley and Rebecca in and climbed in beside them. Back at the apartment, Rebecca and I took turns using the bathroom before pulling out the bed from the couch. I stripped out of my clothes and sat on the bed with my phone in my hand.
“Did he text you?” Rebecca asked as she brushed through her hair.
“No.”
“It’s probably better that way.”
She was right, but that didn’t mean I missed him any less. Two days ago, I had declared I was done with him, but it was a lie. He was all I could think about.
“Let’s get to bed.” Rebecca climbed over me. The bed bounced as she settled in beside me and snuggled under the covers.
I lay down and closed my eyes. It was time to put it all behind me and focus on the new year ahead. Anna was right; wallowing time was over. I needed to focus on my next steps. Whether that meant staying in Oak Springs or starting over somewhere new.
THE SMELL OF BACON permeated the air and pulled me from sleep. Rebecca was still snoring softly next to me. I carefully slipped out of bed, pulled on a hoodie, and walked down the hall to the bathroom. After washing my face and brushing my teeth, I made my way back to the open kitchen.
Anna was at the stove with a spatula in hand. Her tattoo-covered arms and legs were on full display since she was wearing shorts and a T-shirt. I’d always wondered how she wore that in the winter. It was freezing. She moved gracefully around the kitchen, humming a song I didn’t recognize. The massive bun on top of her head wiggled from side to side as she bopped her head.
This was nothing new to me. Anna was an early riser, even when she had been out partying the night before. I was jealous that she never suffered hangovers but thankful because she was a good cook and always made breakfast.
“Good morning. There’s orange juice in the fridge, and breakfast will be ready in a few. Grab some toast to start,” she said without turning around.
“How did you know it was me?”
She shrugged. “It was you or Riley. I figured it was you since you used to wake up early with me.”
I smiled and sat at the small dining table tucked in the corner. “Thanks.”
“You’ve got two days left here. What are we doing? No more wallowing,” she said, pointing a spatula at me.
“I want to go shopping.”
“That’s not me, but you’re welcome to take Riley.”
I laughed.
“I have to work at the bakery anyway. Riley took the time off, and I only got a day. So tomorrow I’m back in early.”
“Boo,” I said with a pretend pout.
“I’ll be home by early afternoon. We can hang out then.”
I nodded and took a bite of toast. Riley shuffled out, rubbing her eyes. She had on an adorable pair of fluffy dog slippers and a long robe that hung open, revealing a tank top and a cute pair of striped pajama pants. A strip of her pale stomach showed between the tank and pants. She was adorable, always had been. We always said she was pocket sized because she was so tiny.
“Morning,” she said, yawning. She plopped down in the seat across from me. “Coffee?”
