Page 457 of Hate Mates

“Please. That’s a bit dramatic, even for you.” I scoff. Taking my hand back, I hug my large, hot mug. Gabe and I have been a couple since we turned fifteen. He isn’t a bad man, but he is easily led. I’ve always known that. It’s in his nature, and ten years together isn’t going to change anything. He’s been a bitout thererecently though, strung out even. If I’m truly honest, I have noticed something about him. He isn’t as attentive as he used to be. I thought he just had things on his mind. We’ve had money issues recently and he’s out of work, again. I’ve been carrying him for the last couple of months, but my nurse's wage isn’t going to carry us forever. Plus, with all the hours I’ve put in recently, I’m on a steady burnout. I’m so tired that I can’t even begin to understand what's going on around me, let alone whatGabriel is up to. Right on cue, I cover a yawn, causing Stacy to shake her head at me.

“And how many hours have you done this week?”

I lift my shoulder in a shrug. “I have no idea, maybe fifty-five or sixty.”

“Fuck’s sake, Ari. If I see Gabriel, his ass is mine.”

“Are you done?” I point a disinterested question at her.

“Yes.” Her reply is short and abrupt as she rolls her eyes.

“Good. Now, on to a better topic.”

She sighs, and I expect another argument, but instead she changes the subject and tells me about her bar job. Stacy was always the more social one out of the two of us, so her job suits her. I might work nightshifts and a lot of hours, but I like looking after people. Plus, I work with kids, that takes a lot out of me but it’s so rewarding. I couldn’t be nice to drunken assholes wanting to grope me all the time.

“Why don’t you come to the club the next time you’re off? We’d have a great night. Are you off this weekend?’

“I’m off today and tomorrow.” I smile, it’s a tired one but still, it’s a smile.

“So let’s go out tonight then. I’m working tomorrow, I rarely ever get a Saturday off. We could go to the bar then hit a club. Whatcha say?”

“Can’t I just stay home and curl up with a book and hot cocoa?”

“I’m sorry, how old are you again? Because I’m sure we’re the same age.” Her eyes widen like saucers. “I don’t think we’re fifty. Come on Ari, we don’t get to hang out anymore…” and now she’s begging like a dog. “Pleeease?”

“What about Gabe?”

“What about him? He doesn’t own you.” A sigh filters from my nose and I lift my coffee back to my lips. “It’s not like he even shows off his hot girlfriend anyway!”Hot… not likely.“Wouldn’tyou like a night where you can get dressed up instead of either being in your jammies or scrubs.” I mull over it for a moment. I do have a really nice dress I’d love to wear before it goes out of the current trend. “I can see you thinking about it.” She smirks.Bitch.

“Fine.” I smirk, finally giving in to her pleading. “Fuck Gabe. Is that what you want to hear?”

She claps her hands and squeals. “Yay. I’m so happy. So, we’ll start at Expressions and then go on to a club.”

“Whatever you say, Yoda.” I empty my cup, draining every last drop of my coffee and lean down to get my bag. “Right then, seeing as I’m being accosted tonight, I better go home and make myself look pretty. We all know it’ll to take me two hours just to find something to wear or at least what shoes to wear.”

She rolls her eyes and empties her cup, “Okay, do you want me to come to yours?”

“No. I’ll come to yours. Right now, I think it’s best if I keep you and Gabe well away from each other.”

“Suit yourself. Be at mine for seven-thirty.” I pull my strap onto my shoulder, and with a quick hug, I’m on my way out of the door.

With no signof Gabe I spend the next hour perfecting my makeup and blow drying, then curling my hair. In the three hours I’ve been home, Gabe still hasn’t turned up. I’m starting to think that maybe Stace is right. Well, she is right about one thing, I don’t need bloody permission to go out, so for once I’m going to enjoy myself, instead of being the sad cow that stays in and waits for him to come through the door.

I intendto have a damn good night, I order an Uber, firing off a message to Stace to tell her to pour me a glass of wine and that I’m just waiting for my taxi. Then I send one to Gabe:

I’m sick of waiting for your sorry ass so I’m going out with Stacy. I’m so fucking sick of your shit, Gabe!

I dropmy phone into my bag as I slip on my stiletto’s and wait.

My cell chimes with a message. I take it out to see a reply from Stacy, not Gabe. Like he fucking cares anyway!

Just wait for me outside. I'm ready. I’ll buy us a bottle in Expressions.

Sounds good to me.

A horn sounds from outside, I check to see it’s my Uber and drop my cell back into my purse and skip out of the door, finally looking forward to my night of normalcy.

Once inside Expressions,Stacy heads for the bar while I find us a table. The place is packed, and the music is pumping. My feet are already hurting just thinking about dancing in these shoes, let alone standing.

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