Gold - Linde K. A. - Страница 17

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“All right. Later, babe. See you tonight,” Andrew said before planting a possessive kiss on her lips.

“Goddamn it. I can’t keep doing this,” she told Stacia as they walked away.

Andrew’s insistence that they were dating was icing on the cake with all her other problems this weekend. She needed a drink something fierce to forget her own existence for a little while.

POSSE WAS FILLED TO THE BRIM with students and alumni anxious to see the football players after the successful game. The bouncer wasn’t admitting anyone else inside due to the fire code, but luckily, Bryna, Stacia, and Trihn were regulars, so they could bypass the wait.

Once they were inside, it was a swamp. She didn’t want to deal with the crowds. She wanted to get wasted beyond comprehension and forget about this weekend, maybe even the whole week.

They finally made it to the bar where Maya was working. It wasn’t often she was downstairs, but she was the best, and it was so busy that they must have needed her expertise.

“Peppermint Posse,” Bryna called as soon as her friend appeared in front of her.

“Going for the strong shit tonight?” Maya yelled back.

“As strong as you can. I need it.”

Bryna leaned back against the bar in her black sheer lace dress that left little up to the imagination, and she drank in the stares she was receiving. She had on her favorite classic red-lacquered Louboutins. She was ready to rule tonight. No more bullshit.

Maya handed her the drink, and Bryna promptly downed it as quickly as she could. She shuddered as the mint-flavored vodka martini set fire to her throat.

“Whoa! Take it easy. You have all night,” Maya chastised her.

“Keep them coming,” Bryna instructed.

“That’s what she said,” Stacia said with a giggle. She sidled up to Bryna at the bar, wearing a sapphire backless romper that tied around her neck. “Can I get something fruity?”

“Sure, sweets.” Maya poured both of the drinks at once. “What about you, Trihni?”

Trihn shrugged. “The usual.”

“You’re looking particularly grungy today,” Maya complimented her.

Trihn was decked out in a black leather skirt with a black sequined tank and studded combat boots. She had bangles on both wrists, almost up to her elbows, and onyx studs in her ears. Her makeup was especially heavy tonight.

Trihn ignored the comment, but when Neal appeared at her side, the reason for her extra effort became clear. He was cut and tall with shaggy brown hair and the same arsty look as Trihn. They looked like a matched set. It made Bryna sick.

“So, are you two officially dating now, or what?” Bryna asked. She reached for her second drink and guzzled it as if it was water and she had run a marathon.

“Bri, geez,” Trihn said in exasperation.

“Just curious.”

Bryna knew Trihn hated talking about her relationship. She was super private about it, and it made no sense. Bryna and Stacia were completely open about theirs. What did Trihn have to hide?

“Are you and Andrew?” Trihn shot back.

“Oh my God, no! We’re not even dating. This has to stop!”

She couldn’t handle this anymore. How many times would I have to say that Andrew and me aren’t dating before people fucking figured it out? They were fucking around, and that was all. She was going to have to prove a point tonight.

Bryna finished her drink and left it with Maya before abandoning her friends and heading straight to the dance floor. She danced with the first hot football player she could get her hands on. There was no Andrew in her life. At this point, he didn’t fucking exist to her. Her head was full of vodka, and she was riding the wave on a surfboard.

After a few songs, Bryna had forgotten the faces of the different guys she had danced with. Someone had bought her a drink, something fruity that tasted like shit. She’d also miraculously done a round of shots with a group of people, but she couldn’t remember what it was. She was wonderfully tipsy with her arms around a guy whom she strained to put a name to. All she knew was that he was cute, on the football team, and decidedly not Andrew.

His lips landed on hers, aggressive but sloppy. She ignored her own disgust and returned the kiss with vigor. Suddenly, she was wrenched back from the guy. She stumbled backward into another girl who cussed her out. Bryna didn’t even bother apologizing.

Her eyes adjusted to what was going on. Andrew was all up in the guy’s face, yelling profanities and holding his fist up as if he planned to punch him right then and there.

“Andrew, stop!” she shrieked, grabbing his arm.

“What the fuck, Bri? What is going on? Why did you have your tongue down this guy’s throat?”

“We’re not even dating. I can do whatever I want,” she slurred.

“You’re fucking joking, right?”

“No, I’m not.”

“We’ve been fucking exclusively for over a month. What more do you want?”

“Who said we’re exclusive?” she asked condescendingly.

“Well, have you fucked anyone else?” His eyes dared her to respond.

“Do you really want me to answer that?” she asked. She hadn’t actually been with anyone else since she hadn’t gotten that far with Hugh. But she had given a blow job earlier this week. Did that count?

“Fuck!” Andrew yelled. “Who is it? I’ll fucking kill him.”

“Get over yourself. This was supposed to be fun, Andrew, and now, you’re making a scene. It’s not fun anymore.”

Andrew angrily shook his head and threw his arms out in frustration. “Sorry, I misunderstood. Enjoy your fucking night.”

He stormed off, leaving her in the middle of the dance floor. All eyes were on her, and she felt their judgment from all sides. Fuck, I’m so over this. She needed another drink to stop thinking about her self-sabotage.

She made it back to the bar. Trihn was still with Neal talking to Maya. Both girls had concern in their eyes when Bryna returned.

“Another martini, Maya,” Bryna said.

“Maybe you should slow down.” Trihn lightly touched Bryna’s arm. “What happened out there?”

“Pay attention,” Bryna snapped. “Andrew and I aren’t together.”

“There you are, Bri!” Stacia cried. “I saw that shit on the dance floor. Are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine. I have no feelings for Andrew. I’m never going to have feelings for anyone ever again.”

“But he has feelings for you,” Trihn said. “It was kind of a bitch move to make out with someone else instead of just breaking up with him.”

“We’re not dating though!” Bryna rolled her eyes. A bitch move. Great. “Isn’t that what everyone expects from me anyway? How is this any different?”

She was letting the alcohol and anger get the best of her, and she didn’t even care. It was like every bit of emotion she had bottled up in the past eight months came rushing back to her all at once. She couldn’t control it. She just rode the emotions like a train barreling off the tracks.

“We’re trying to help,” Trihn said. “You’re kind of self-destructing.”

Bryna shrugged unapologetically. “This is who I am. I’m the queen bitch. I accept my crown and title. Take it, or leave it. I’ve never pretended to be anyone else, and I never will.”

She walked back to the dance floor to try to find someone else to buy her another drink. She had made a circuit on the floor when a hand on her shoulder stopped her in place.

“That was an interesting show.”

Ugh! Pace.

“Fuck off. I have no reason to be around you, and I might turn homicidal if you remain in my presence.”

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