Page 36 of Broken

“Don't you think?” Hilary asks, pulling my attention away.

“Sure Hun.” I reply, acting like I'm looking around the room. “I'm gonna go get some drinks. Maybe talk to Max after.” I reply as the chair pushes away from the table when I stand.

“Gin and tonic for me.” Hilary states turning her attention to George, I'm like eighty percent certain that George is into Hilary, but it doesn't bother me like it should. I let my feet carry me from the table to the bar, which just so happens to be right behind Max, Katherine, and Knox.

“West. My guy. How are you?” Max asks as he turns to notice me standing at the bar.

“Good.” I reply.

“What are you up to these days?” He asks.

I put a quick order in for our drinks and turn to talk to him. Katherine and Knox having their own conversation. “I'm getting married in a couple months, then off to law school.”

“No shit. Married. To who?” I point to the blonde bombshell that is my fiancee and he whistles. “Damn dude. She's hot.”

Yes. Yes she is. Hot, rich, and fucking boring. “She is.” I respond, respectfully. I look over at Kat, who's cheeks are now bright red. She looks pissed. Knox says something into Kat’s ear and she nods. He takes her by the hand and they leave.

“I always thought you and Kitty would be a couple.”

“I tried. She turned me down, so I went to college.”

“You know she has her own business,” he nods his head, “yeah a tattoo shop. Her and the kid live in Washington, and she's famous for her work in the PNW.”

“Tattoo artist?” I ask, making sure I heard him correctly.

“Yeah, when I saw her in Seattle she had just finished her internship and was tattooing. She gave me this.’ he pulls his sleeve up, showcasing an entire scene, wrapping his forearm. There's boots, with a gun and a helmet with woods behind it and a flag with dog tags. “I lost a friend and she helped me design this.” It's fucking beautiful work.

“That's amazing.” I say. The drinks I ordered are out on the bar, “Did she ever tell you who the father was?”

“Nah, I did ask her if it was Knox’s kid though. She said no. So I have no idea.” he shrugs. “Not really my business though. We grew apart when I moved to Florida.

“That sucks. I'm sorry.” I pick up the drinks, “Well, I shouldn't keep her waiting.” I reply nodding over to Hilary.

“No man, you shouldn't.” Max laughs, patting me on the back.

After a few drinks and a couple more awkward ‘what's happening in your life’ conversations, I have to pee. ”I'll be back.” I kiss Hilary on the cheek and stand up.

“Where are you going?” She asks.

“To piss.” I reply, hating that she always asks what I'm doing like an insecure Barbie. “I'll come, you can show me around after.”

I let out a sigh, I wasn't just going to the bathroom. I was going to talk to Katherine. She hasn't come back in here since she left with Knox, so who knows where she is, but I figured I could find her. I used to always know where she was.

“Bathrooms.” I push the door open, relief washing over me as I step in and away from her. Remember West, your goals lineup. I tell myself, but even in my own head, I know it's not true.

I step up to the urinal and unzip my pants only to hear a sigh. I turn my head, not seeing anyone, then focus my attention back on the little blue urinal cake as a stream flows from me.

“Not looking. Totally not looking.” Her voice, the one that haunts my dreams. The one I hear clear as bell every time I close my eyes.

“Katherine?” Needless to say, the stream stops and I tuck myself back in.

“Fuck. I'm sorry. I just.” She rolls her eyes and looks at me. “I'm hiding from fucking Nicole Breshears. She spotted me and I ran. I couldn't hear about her perfect marriage and perfect life anymore.”

“Nicole was talking to you?” I ask, lifting a brow in disbelief as I walk to the sink to wash my hands.

“Hey, I wasn't always the darkened soul that rocks harder than any bitch here. I was once the painted bimbo that walked right alongside her. Remember?” She looks in the mirror over my shoulder and fluffs her space buns. She looks the exact same. Some more ink and more piercings than before. She had one lip ring the last time I truly saw her and now she's sporting two lip rings, a nose ring and the one in the middle of her nose. The septum? Yeah, I think that's what it's called. She has butterfly tattoos on her neck and her hands have some too.

“I remember how miserable you were walking in those groups.” I say shaking the water off as I reach for a paper towel. “I also remember watching you find yourself. You seem to be doing good.”

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