AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I spin, trying to take in my reflection but stumble a bit. Taking several more sips straight from the bottle, I grab my purse and phone and head downstairs to climb into the cab.
It’s a short drive to the restaurant, and despite the crowd at the door, I’m taken to my seat as soon as I give my name.
Blue isn’t here yet, so I order two shots and wait.
It doesn’t take long for my date to arrive. When a warm hand rests on my shoulder, and a deep voice gently says, “Kitty?” I look up over my shoulder. I don’t know what Blue looks like, but when hazel eyes meet mine, I gasp.
“Nash!”
CHAPTER FORTY
“Ok” by Jeremy Zucker
NASH
The sight of Rose steals my breath.
She’s lost weight. The dark circles under her eyes are only made darker by the mess of mascara.
The red lipstick she clumsily applied is smeared, and her hands shake violently.
“Nash!” she hisses, wobbling in her chair.
“Jesus, fuck, Rose,” I whisper, reaching out to steady her. She tries to shake me off and nearly topples over.
“You’re Blue!” she cries, and I sigh. I knew there was a chance she might be upset, but I wasn’t expecting the woman in front of me. I knew exactly who I was talking to from day one. She was homeschooled and left her emails open pretty much every day.
“Yeah, Candycane, I’m Blue.”
She’s silent for a long moment before covering her mouth. Shit… I grab the bucket of ice that the champagne was in and hold it in front of Rose before she vomits violently into it. This draws the attention of everyone in the room, including the host.
The young woman runs over, gasping. “If she’s that drunk, she has to leave!” She’s reaching for Rose, but I snap at her to back off.
“I’ve got her!” I hiss, making the girl jump away. “Fuck, Rose, what are you doing to yourself…” I murmur, helping her to her feet. She wobbles so badly that I’m supporting her almost completely.
“You’re not Blue,” she mumbles, shaking her head until it flops backward, and she stares up at me.
“I am,” I correct her, leading her toward my car. I’m taking her…fuck. Home? She can’t be alone like this, but she made it clear she needed distance from us, so I can’t take her to the frat.
“Blue isn’t a commitment-phobe with m-mommy issues,” she slurs, making me flinch.
“Ouch, harsh, Candycane.” Her hazel eyes fill with tears.
“I’m sorry,” she sniffs, and I sigh heavily as I load her into my passenger seat.
“Come on, none of that. Let me see that pretty smile. Aren’t you happy to see me?” I ask as I buckle her in.
“Nash…” She smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. Not like it once did. I cup her cheek in my palm, smiling back as her drunk eyes search my face.
“Rosie, girl,” I whisper, but she frowns.
“Blue…or Nashville Meadows, w-which is the real you?” Even though her speech is slowed and slightly slurred, I still understand her clearly.
“Little bit of both,” I answer honestly before wiping a tear from her cheek with my thumb. “It’ll be okay, Rosie,” I whisper. I stand, shutting her in. I pause, taking a moment to catch my breath and think.
Everything is so fucked.
CHAPTER FORTY ONE
