Page 36 of Shattering Nash

She snorted and abruptly stood. “Yeah, you fucking proved that three years ago, didn’t you?”

It seemed this ulterior motive had been in play for years.Interesting.

“Did you really believe sharing my bed would elevate your position?”

A flash of pink flooded over her cheeks. This was an eye opener. Apparently, that was exactly what she’d thought. Nash wasn’t offended. It wasn’t the first time someone had tried to manipulate him for their own gain.

Nash chuckled and gestured to the door. “You can leave now.”

Noelle stood and walked out without another word.

Nash had a feeling this wasn’t quite over yet.

Chapter Seven

Three hours and five drinks later, Charley was feeling no pain. In fact, it was the most liberated she’d ever felt.

She stumbled back to the stool, and it took two tries to finally hop up.

“Look at you, got some moves, girl.” Penny teased.

Charley laughed, brushing her hair away from her forehead. She could just imagine what she looked like with sweat dripping down her face.And I don’t care.Charley couldn’t remember the last time she’d laughed so much. Maybe never.

“I don’t usually dance.”

“Could’ve fooled me. You look good out there.”

“Keely says you have to do shit that scares you.”

Penny chuckled, taking a sip of her drink. She licked her lips, placing the glass down while eyeing Charley.

“That’s good advice.” Penny paused. “Of course, I like to do shit that scares other people. My man thinks it’s a toxic trait. I find it empowering.”

“I wouldn’t even know how to scare someone.” Charley giggled. She’d smiled so much tonight, her cheeks were sore. “I needed this with everything going on.”

“Rough patch? Penny asked.

“Almost a decade long rough patch. It’s like every bad thing that could happen” —She lifted her glass, sloshing some over the rim— “Is happening!”

Penny arched her brow. “Maybe you should slow down on those drinks.”

Charley laughed, shaking her head and raising her glass again. “This is the only good thing in my life at the moment.”

“That’s not a good thing, girl.” Penny chuckled and rested her elbows on the bar. “What’s going on?”

Charley shook her head, and Penny grabbed her arm.

“Consider this free therapy. I’ll listen, and you can unload and unleash. Get it all out, and then we’ll leave it right here, never to speak of it again.”

“Really?”

“Let’s hear it.”

In a sober state, Charley was the definition of private. With a belly full of potent alcoholic purple drinks? All her inhibitions were out the door. She had always kept everything bottled up in an effort to protect everyone around her. She was basically drowning in everyone else’s problems and responsibilities. Why shouldn’t she get it all out? Finally, just spill all her problems and issues. Penny was a virtual stranger who she’d probably never cross paths with again.

Do it!

She drank the last bit of her drink and slammed the glass on the table. “Aside from being evicted and only having a few more days to find a place, my brother still hasn’t called. I don’t know which rehab he’s in or if he’s okay or scared. I mean, I think he’s doing good. That’s what I was told, but I can’t know for sure until I hear from him. He’s basically my only family, and now he’s gone. I don’t have any friends except for Keely. Without her, I have no one.” Charley shook her head and lifted her hand, ordering another drink as if it were second nature. “Then I got my brother’s dealer showing up at the house looking for something. I don’t know what exactly, but I’m pretty sure it’s” —Charley leaned closer and whispered loudly— “drugs.”

---