Page 249 of Unexpected Hero

Once she has the car keys, she meets my eyes. “We need to get her out of here soon, or we’ll be dragging her to the parking lot.”

“Oooh I think I’m gonna be sick,” Vanessa announces as she crawls back onto her stool and flops her forehead onto the bar top.

Freya sits, mashing her lips into a white slash as she evaluates the situation.

“Glad we didn’t bring my car. She’s gonna puke for sure,” I joke, looking at my non-existent watch. “I’d wager she’ll be ralphing in three, two, one.” I look pointedly at Vanessa, waiting for her to start heaving up her million drinks.

After rolling her eyes, Freya’s entire face rumples with disgust.

One of my favorite songs starts playing, and I can’t hold back my loudest laugh at the title.A dance mix of “Karma” by Taylor Swift blares from the speakers.

Heavens to Betsy. The irony!

Smacking the bar, I bray an overzealous guffaw. The bartender glances at me and tips his chin in my direction. I squelch my glee on reflex.

I dare say that Vanessa is getting her karma right now, and it’ll continue tomorrow with a hangover from hell. That’s friggin’ beautiful.

The bartender, who thought my bar top banging of hilarity was a request for service, appears a few seconds later. “For you, my dear.” He winks and slides another diet coke at me. “On the house.”

The perks of the VIP section. Oo la la, we fancy.

“Let’s go,” Freya says, jingling the keys at me and helping Vanessa off the stool.

“But the contest,” I object, my lip already rolling outward.

Freya’s adorable nose wrinkles. She glances from Vanessa to the stage where they’re already setting up for the contest. When she meets my eyes again, the conflict on her face is as plain as the hair on Vanessa’s lip.

In true Lettie Holt fashion, I make a rash impulsive decision. “You take her home. I’m going to stay for the contest. I’ll call James to pick me up. If he’s busy, I’ll order an Uber.”

Freya casts a sharp glare at me, brows raised and pout severe. “I can’t leave you.”

“I’ll text James right now to come up here with me. I can’t leave without singing. I need that money. Especially if… you know.” I tighten my lips and intensify my glare, letting my eyes dip toward my belly and back again.

She nibbles on the inside of her cheek, debating. “Honey, I don’t feel right about this. Maybe I should just throw her in the car.”

Flopping around like a rag doll, Vanessa moans into the side of Freya’s neck, then belches. “Uhhh. Fuck. I want to go home. It’s so spinning her. I mean here.” Another heaving breath of near-vomit erupts from her mouth.

I arch my head away from her to avoid getting caught in the splash zone. “I don’t want to be puked on tonight. Smelling of vomit is not a good look when you’re trying to win a thousand bucks.”

Vanessa wraps herself fully around Freya, struggling to remain upright.

I grin diabolically. “Bye, Freya. You better get her out of here before she pulls you down to the floor with her. She looks heavy.”

Freya snarks, “Let the record show that I hate this.”

Raising my shoulders, I give her a toothy grin. “Well, you brought her. Not me.”

“Low blow,” she quips, faking offense.

“I’ll be fine, Freya. Get her out of here. I’m not going home tonight, anyhow. In fact, I won’t be there tomorrow either. James and I have some talking to do.” I make my brows dance, hoping she gets the innuendo. “Consider me busy for the entire weekend. See you Sunday night or Monday. Take her home before she falls out. I’ll message James right away.”

She tips her chin at me, jostling Vanessa in her arms. “How much battery do you have on your phone?”

I pull it out of the clutch bag I borrowed from her. “Sixty percent. I’m good. Buh-bye now.” I flit my hands at her in a shooing gesture.

A fissure of guilt threatens to rip my contentment. I should help Freya with the drunk bitch.

But said bitch was mean to me. More than once. And I’m done letting guilt rule my life.Freya can manage just fine if she leaves soon.

---