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Blinking again, I reread the status.
BriezzyBeautiful:
OMG guys, I am soooooo excited *praying hands emoji* to announce we’re GETTING MARRIED!!! Can you believe it? This stud muffin is going to make an honest *crying laughing emoji* woman out of me. Y’all know what to do if you want an invite. K, love youuuuuu *phone emoji* *envelope emoji* *heart emoji* *wedding ring emoji*
My stomach rolls, I might puke if I keep staring but I can’t peel my eyes away.
This is humiliating.
Not only did Seth cheat on me with my best friend, he’s now going to marry her instead of me. Sure it’s been a few years since I called off our wedding but how could he do this? How couldshedo this?
Brie Carmichael and I used to be inseparable. We did everything together and knew everything about each other. Or at least I thought we did, up until I walked in on the two of them fucking on our bed. Nausea flows through me and I set my phone onto the counter while reaching for the shot glass. Throwing my head back, I wash away my torment with the burn of liquor. Wishing it would permanently scar, cauterize off the bleeding in my heart.
“Babe, I think you’ve had enough to drink.” I shake my head at the sound of Taylor’s voice, looking back at my phone. “Yes. You know I love you but this,” She gestures to the phone and glass in front of me. “Is not healthy. You deserve so much better than that prick and bimbo.” She reaches over and gently hugs my shoulders with one arm. “Why don’t we go get some tacos and crash at my place? I’ll text Beau to come get us.”
I mumble something incoherent, trying to argue so I can stay and drown my troubles in tequila, but Taylor already has her phone out and quickly types out a message before slipping it back into her bag. “Come on P. Let’s put away the phone, yeah?” Before I can answer, she’s snatched the phone and shoved it in with her own.
I stare miserably down at my hands, shoulders hunching forward.
God, I feel so pathetic.
I’m so angry.
Angry at Seth.
Angry at Brie.
But mostly, I’m furious and disgusted with myself that I still care. I shouldn’t let them have this much influence over me, not after all this time. I know part of the problem is I never really moved on. I’ve had my fair share of hook-ups but no one has caught my attention long enough to even try to get over Seth.
Suddenly blue eyes & blonde curls fill my vision. A small voice in the back of my mind whispers that someone has caught my attention. I shake my head, chiding myself. Mick doesn’t know I exist, at least not like that. I’ve only seen him the two times and, although he made quite the impression on me, I’m positive my babbling the last time we spoke has definitely scared him away.
I drop my head into my hands with a long groan.
Taylor’s right, this pity party is doing no good, and tacosdosound good.
Peeking up from my hands, I look over at my friend. Her attention is focused on her phone again, tapping away on the screen as the clatter of her acrylics sound with each movement. Her petite figure is wrapped up in a shawl dress, the forest theme of the material contrasts nicely with the rich brown tones of her skin. She reaches up a hand to absentmindedly brush back a wayward lock of hair, the majority of the mocha colored strands tied up in a loose braid.
My heart aches as I watch her. She’s been my stability since moving out to New Mexico. We became fast friends and I’m so grateful for her. Even after her and Beau started to get serious, Taylor made sure to make time for me. Overwhelmed with emotion, I blink back more tears and whisper, “Thank you.”
She looks over at me with a soft smile, her sea green eyes twinkling. “No thanks needed, babe. I’ve got you.” When she wraps me into a hug, the tears I’ve been fighting all night pour down my face and a choked sob escapes my throat. She squeezes me tighter, rubbing my back and soothingly shushing me. “It’s okay. You’re gonna be okay. You are a badass bitch and Seth can go fuck himself.” A wet laugh leaves my lips and I lean back, brushing the back of my hand across my eyes.
Grinning at each other, I reply with as much strength as I can force into the words. “Yeah, fuck you Seth and your crooked dick.” Which makes us both dissolve into giggles.
We’re still laughing when Beau comes in to collect us. And as we make our way to pick up our late night munchies, I can feel my chest lighten. A heaviness I hadn’t realized was still there lifts and I take a deep breath.
I am a badass bitch.
After leaving the bar last night, I ended up crashing at Taylor’s place and woke up with a massive hangover. Coming to the horrifying realization that I’m almost thirty and can’t just drink without consequences like in my early twenties.
I moan again as another sharp pain stabs behind my eyes, the sunglasses glued to my face doing nothing to lessen the assault of sunlight pouring through my windows. I’m tempted to call into my shift today but know I won’t because I need the money and I hate to leave Brandi short staffed.
Parking my car, I trudge up to my apartment, keeping my head ducked to avoid as much light as possible. Entering my door, I toss my purse onto the counter and open the fridge to snatch out a bottle of water.
I chug the liquid and throw the empty bottle in the paper bag I keep for recycling and head to my bathroom, hoping a shower will make me feel more human.
By the time I’ve finished getting ready, I’m running late. I rush out of my room and reach for my purse, freezing when I see something sitting on the counter a few inches past my haphazardly discarded things. Heart pounding, I tiptoe forward until I’m standing flush with the countertop.
Resting on the surface is a small card, about the size of a business card, but there’s something about it that makes my stomach roll over. I reach forward with a shaky hand and pick up the invasive piece of cardstock. It’s thin and black, the color so dark it seems to suck out the light around it. I turn it back and forth but there is no name or number listed. Only one single line handwritten in white ink.
