Page 24 of Breakaway

“Poydem, Malyshka?7. We have a lot of places to visit tonight.”

1 ???????. — I see.

2 ????. — Shit.

3 ????? ???? ? ???? ?????. — Thank God I found you.

4 ?? ??????????? — Not experiment

5 ?????? — Thank you

6 ???? ?????? ?????? ?? ???? ???????. ? ?? ??? ??????. — Your ex is just not your person. And you know it.

7 ??????, ???????. — Let’s go, Baby girl.

Chapter 10

Please Don’t Let Me Be Married

ROMAN

Inhaling deeply,I nuzzle my nose in silky hair. The aroma of vanilla and probably jasmine slides under my skin, forcing a smile on my face. My hand slowly trails up the soft curve of a hip. The second my mind registers this information, my eyes open.

Chto za khernya?1?

When my vision adjusts to the dimness of the room, I notice sunlight peeking through the closed curtains.

Looks like it’s morning already.

Slowly propping myself up on my elbow, I look down at Nevaeh sleeping peacefully in my bed. Her body is up against mine, her ass pressed to my groin and my hand plastered to her hip. The good news? We’re still dressed. The bad? I don’t remember how we got back to our room.

I take my hand off her hip and move away as carefully as possible. First I set my feet on the ground, and then I push my body up until I’m standing. The moment I turn to my right, a pounding ache spreads across my skull. It’s like a marching band snuck up into my head to perform. Gritting my teeth, I shut my eyes tight in hopes that this pain will disappear. No luck.

Blyat’?2, this hangover is the worst I’ve had in years.

As slowly as possible, I turn on my heel and go to the bathroom. Turning on the light is inevitable, but nothing can prepare me for the wave of nausea that washes over me once the room fills with light. My headache intensifies, rages, my temples throbbing. Every muscle in my body aches; I don’t have the energy to take off my clothes before I get myself into the shower. Turning on the cold water, I slump down onto my ass and just sit under the pouring water, hoping that the ache will go away.

There’s nothing I want more than relief.

I openthe bathroom door and creep out. Not hearing any sounds except Nevaeh’s quiet snoring, I grab my clothes. My towel falls to the ground as soon as I return to the bathroom, and I pull on a new black T-shirt and black sweatpants. Weaving my fingers through my hair, I blow out a breath, and then I brace myself with my hands on either side of the sink. The cold shower helped to dull my headache, and only a little fatigue reminds me of the state I woke up in. My skin is as pale as fucking chalk, and the dark circles under my eyes are starting to look like a permanent guest on my face.

Why did I do this? I lean forward and press my forehead to the mirror. Drowning my problems in alcohol isn’t the answer. My past is my teacher—my father’s experience should be my best reason to stay away from drinking. Even Maksim’s death…What the hell was I thinking last night?

With a sharp inhale, I step away from the sink. The low grumble of my stomach echoes in the quiet. I know better than to try and eat anything after the night I had, but maybe I can have some coffee? Dark and strong with just one cube of sugar to refuel my body and stimulate dopamine.

Yeah, I can definitely try coffee. Hopefully, I won’t regret it.

Tiptoeing out of the bathroom, I look around for my phone and finally notice it on the floor by the door, along with the key card.Zaebis’?3. At least I didn’t drop them in the hallway. I grab everything off of the floor, shove it in my pocket, and open the door as quietly as possible. Nevaeh is still asleep, and I don’t want to wake her up. Fingers crossed, sleeping in will save her from the hangover I had.

I plopdown into a chair in the darkest corner in the lobby. Taking the tiniest sip of black coffee, I swallow it and pause, checking to see how my stomach will react. When nothing happens, I allow myself to relax into the plush material of the chair and close my eyes. The bitterness of the coffee lingers on my tongue, and when I take a more generous sip, it slides down my throat, evoking a warmth that spreads all over my skin. The little cube of sugar melts, making it just a bit sweeter. It’s exactly what I need right now.

Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I finally check the time, and my brows rise up. One p.m.? I expected it to be at least two hours earlier, but whatever, there’s nothing I can do about it. I read Mom’s texts about her Sunday plans to visit her sister, and a low chuckle escapes my lips when I read her text saying she hopes I had a fun night. If she only knew. She wouldn’t be happy with me. Getting blackout drunk was something I did when I was a teenager. Doing it as a responsible adult? Definitely not something I’m proud of.

I send Mom a few texts, asking her to say hi to my Aunt Lena, and also letting her know that I’m flying back home tomorrow morning. She doesn’t know I’m here with Nevaeh, and I’d preferto keep it that way. The number of questions I can imagine her asking is huge, and knowing my mom, I won’t hear the end of it. The less she knows about certain things, the less worried she will be. That’s something I’ve learned throughout the years.

Pressing the cup to my lips, I open my web browser to look for a show Nevaeh and I might see tonight. Hot coffee fills my mouth, but the second I see the article that’s open on my phone screen, it threatens to spill out. I forcibly swallow, cough, and set my cup on the small table in front of me, my eyes watering. My phone is like a ticking bomb in my hand, making my palms sweaty. There’s no way I googled this.

Can I get married in Vegas if I have a work visa?

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