Page 458 of Hate Mates

I find a mixture of people as I look around me. Groups of guys in suits, older women, younger women, and girls that are barely old enough to drink. Being an ED nurse, I see a lot of girls and young lads being wheeled into the emergency departmentbecause of excessive drinking and overdoses. It makes me sad and wonder why they do it.

“You look lost in thought, what’s wrong?”

Stacy has her hands full with her purse tucked safely beneath her arm. I take the tray from her and place it down on the table. A pitcher of what looks like Pornstar Martini and two glasses, along with what appears to be Tequila fill the tray. “Oh, it’s nothing. Ignore me.”

“I do, all the time.” Stacy replies giggling, taking her seat before filling our glasses.

“Cheers,” Stacy says as she holds up a shot, “here’s to finally getting my bestie out for drinks.”

With my shot glass in my fingers, I clink our glasses and we knock them back. The potent burn that comes after Tequila has me cringing and I shake my head. Stacy pours each of us a glass of the enticing looking cocktail and I sip. The fruity flavors burst on my tongue but so does the alcohol. “Jesus Stace, how much Vodka is in this?”

“I may have asked for double strength.” A wicked smile plays on her lips as she sips on her cocktail. I knew I should have gone to the bar, but seeing as Stacy works here, she gets a discount. I’m sure I can handle the strength for some money off my drinks. Reaching inside my purse, I take out my cell. My screen is empty all but for the picture of me and Gabe. He still hasn't rung me back, or even sent a message to let me know he’s alive. Fucking dick.

I look up when I feel Stacy’s eyes on me. “What’s wrong?”

“Ugh nothing. I sent Gabe a message to tell him I was going out tonight and he hasn’t even had the decency to text me back. You know, I could be out with another man for all he knows.”

“If only,” she mumbles. She thought I hadn’t heard, but I had. “Right, drink up. No more talk of Gabe. No talk of men, full stop.” I pick up my glass and guzzle half of it down. The glassdoesn’t even touch the surface of the table and Stacy is topping it up. I stir it up with my straw and we pick up our shots of prosecco and hold them up.

“Come on, woman. Down in one.”

Another?Without even thinking I down the Prosecco and chase it with my cocktail.If I walk outta here I’ll be surprised.

“Right, you drink that, and I’ll grab us another.”

“Wait. Let me get this one.” I take my debit card from my purse and hand it over. “You should be able to tap it but if not,” I pull her down to me and whisper my pin number in her ear.

“You don’t have to, I'm the one that dragged you out.”

I ignore her and go on, “Can we have something different this time please?”

“Any preference?” She asks as she gets out of her chair.

“Nope.”

“Okay. I’ll surprise you.”

Oh God, we could end up with anything…bad move, Aria. Bad move.

While I wait on Stacy’s return, I pull my cell out to see if Gabe has texted me back, but again, there’s nothing.Fuck him.I’m going to enjoy myself with my best friend and make the most of my weekend off.

I do send him another message though.

Fuck you, Gabriel!

TWO

Aria

With another two pitchers down, I look at my watch and see the time. We agreed we wanted to dance, so a club it is. But my feet are already starting to hurt, I really want to kick off my heels and walk barefoot. Getting up out of my chair carefully, I stand on my heels and find my balance, pressing my hand to the pillar next to me until I’m upright and steady on my feet. As we walk through Expressions, Stacy stops every few steps to say goodbye to different people. It takes us a few minutes to get out the door but when we do, the cool air on my face is welcomed.

The walk to Opulence is only a few minutes, so I take off my stilettos and carry them until we reach the front of the nightclub. “I should’ve worn my Crocs.”

Stacy gasps. “Not fucking likely.”

After being out in the cool fresh air, the alcohol we’ve already had hits me, and I feel a little tipsy. I haven’t drunk this much in so long. Stacy giggles at me, I have to narrow my eyes to focus on her. Her arm loops mine to keep me close.

She leans into me, “You need to act sober or these assholes are not letting us in.”

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