Page 85 of Tamed By You

“Who?” I say, wrinkling my nose.

“Harry. Does Harry know you’re done? Because from what I heard, you have been avoiding him.”

Folding my arms over my chest, I sneer, not answering him.

“Yeah, I didn't think so. What the hell is going on with you? You've been in here most nights with Cassidy and that other girl. They’re bad news, Ali. Why the hell are you hanging out with the—”

“Hey, don't you judge them? You have no idea who they are or what they've been through, so don't you dare comment on how they behave or what they do. You have no idea.”

“Are you talking about them or yourself there?” His eyes zone in on me and I don't like the challenging stare he’s giving me.

“I’d like to leave, please.”

“Not with him you aren't.”

“I’m going back to my friends if you must know. I also need to pee. Do you wish to escort me there too?” My words are laced with sarcasm.

“You need to talk to him; he doesn't deserve your silence, Ali.”

“Don't lecture me about what he deserves. Most of us don't deserve the hand we are dealt.”

I brush past him, but he catches my arm. “If you need to talk, I’m here. I’m your friend Ali, not your enemy.”

I shrug off his hand and reach for the door, my chest suddenly feeling painful. What the fuck was that? Why did I just throw myself at my friend, Harry's best friend? I really am a piece of shit.

I walk down the narrow corridor, pushing through the door of the ladies' bathroom, and see Cassidy in line. Her brunette hair is a mess, mascara smudged under eyes and her sparkly silver dress barely covering her ass, a bottle of beer bottle tucked under her arm.

“Hey, girl, I’ve been looking for you. Come here.” A tall brunette exits the stall and Cassidy drags me by the hand, pulling me into the stall with her. She locks the door and reaches inside her bra, pulling something out and opening her palm in front of me. There lay two little white pills inside a small, clear packet.

“Want one?” she whispers.

I still, contemplating taking it so I can forget all about tonight and everything else in my life. Without a second thought or asking what it is I reach for it, placing it in my mouth and rolling my tongue, feeling the pill hit the back of my throat and I swallow, closing my eyes, envisioning it disintegrating as it works its way through my bloodstream, silencing my thoughts as it does. Cassidy does the same and takes a swig of beer and then hands it to me. The bitter, warm liquid floods my mouth and it makes me heave.

“Fuck, I hate beer.” I wince.

Cassidy’s eyes look into mine, heavy and full of mischief and she smirks. “Now, let's go have some fun.”

I feel free, weightless, like I’m soaring above the clouds. Strobe lights flash before my eyes, images of Brooke and Cassidy dancing in slow motion flicker in front of me. Throwing my head back, my long hair tickles my bare skin, arms in the air, twirling my wrists, I watch as my fingers stretch, enjoying this feather-light feeling. I feel nothing. No pain, no worry, nothing, and it’s the best feeling in the world right now.

I don't know how much time passes, but everything starts to feel a little louder, a little clearer, and I know that magical pill is wearing off. My feet burn from my six-inch heels, and I need to sit down, my legs feeling too heavy and weak to hold me up a second longer. I make my way over to the booth we have and slump into the leather seat.

Pulling my phone out of my purse, I see a text from Harry, telling me he misses me, begging me to call him, and my heart begins to ache again. All the feelings I have been blocking out resurfacing and I suddenly have the need to flee, to get out of here. I’m putting my phone back in my purse when Cassidy stumbles over to me, barely able to put one foot in front of the other.

What the fuck?

She’s pale, eyes glazed. “Cass, you okay, babe? You don't look so good.” She sinks into the seat next to me; her body goes limp and falls into my lap. “Cass,” I shout. “Cass, get up,” I call again, but she doesn't move.

I lift her head and watch in horror as her eyes roll into the back of her head and her small body starts to convulse in my arms, foam frothing from her mouth.

I let out a strangled scream, but it's so loud in here, no one hears me. “Cass, what the fuck did you take?” I shriek as my heart hammers violently in my chest. “Please, stop…” I need help. I reach for my purse, pulling my phone and dialing Brad’s number.

“Ali are you—”

“Help, help please, it's Cassidy. She’s, she’s dying.”

“What the fuck? Where are you?”

“The VIP booth at the back. Hurry.”

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