Page 42 of Shattering Nash

There was a long stretch of silence.

“Doesn’t sound familiar. Why?”

“Just trying to get some intel. Do me a favor? Ask around. See if anyone knows him.”

“Another fucking favor, brother?” Ace scoffed. “I’ll think about it.”

The line went dead, and Nash shook his head, shoving his phone into his jacket pocket. He was ready to end this night. When the elevator bell pinged, he glanced over, watching Caine and Ridge walk out and head toward him.

“We’ve got them in the cars. It’s going to be a hefty bill if one of them pukes, and the odds are pretty good.” Ridge smirked.

It would be a miracle if Charley got through the ride without getting sick. She was trashed when she walked out.

“Who’s following them?” Nash asked.

“Travis.”

Nash gave a curt nod and walking to his office. He had a few things to wrap up. Then he’d head home and get some much needed rest.

What a fucking night!

Chapter Eight

Charley blinked open her eyes.Barely.Her eyelids were heavy. In fact, every inch of her body felt weighted down. She lifted her head, pressing her hands against the soft cushion and pushed up, taking her time. Charley’s head was pounding incessantly. She wasn’t even sure she was in an upright position.Why is the room spinning?She openly moaned, taking short, even breaths. She didn’t have the energy for anything more.

She dropped her feet to the floor, digging her toes into the lush pink carpet.Where the hell am I?She grasped the edge of the couch and slowly lifted her head. She tried to ignore the throbbing pulsing in her brain, but it was impossible.

Everything ached, and she rolled her shoulders.I feel like death.Never in her life had she felt this way. It was a reminder of why she’d steered clear of alcohol. She sucked in a breath, and her stomach gurgled.Oh God!A wave of heat raced through her body, and her mouth watered.This is not good.She cupped her mouth and clamped her lips.

“Charley.”

She searched the room for the owner of the voice. Penny was on a chair in the corner of the room holding a mug, narrowing her gaze.

“This friendship can go one of two ways. It can continue to blossom, or end in five seconds depending on whether you make it to the bathroom or not. That is a brand-new couch.”

Oh shit!

Charley bent forward, grasped her hand tightly over her mouth, and mumbled, “Where’s the bathroom?”

Penny pointed to the door off the living room. “First door on your right.”

Charley had no idea where she found the strength to push up from the couch and sprint to the bathroom. Sprint may have been a stretch. It was probably more of a stumble. She felt like a pinball, slamming into all the hard surfaces before reaching her final destination. Thankfully, in the nick of time. She dropped to her knees in front of the toilet, ignoring the pain shooting up her leg, and heaved over. Her arms circled the basin like a long lost relative.

It was no one’s favorite pastime, but vomiting was especially hard on Charley. She couldn’t remember the last time it had happened. She was making up for lost time. Her eyes welled, and her entire body thrust forward, emptying all the contents from her stomach. It couldn’t get any worse. But it did. After a small reprieve, the dry heaves started. She wasn’t sure what was worse.

Sweat beaded her forehead and neck, and she continued to lunge forward.Oh, take me now. I’m ready to meet my Maker.She felt a soft touch on her back and a cool hand slide up the back of her neck.Oh, that’s nice.Her hair was swept away. She swallowed the knot in her throat and clamped her lips.

“Stop fighting it. Better to get it all out.” Penny’s tone was soothing.

Charley couldn’t even open her eyes, and she blindly wiped the back of her hand across her mouth. “I don’t have anything left.”

Charley’s stomach disagreed. She heaved forward and unleashed once again.

She wasn’t sure how long she clung to the toilet.Minutes, hours, hell, has it been a day?It felt like forever. Her cheek rested against the seat. Once she was clear headed, she’d be thoroughly disgusted, but for now, Charley didn’t care.

“C’mon.” Penny grasped her waist and guided her to a standing position. Charley wasn’t sure how she’d managed to walk her to the couch again, but she felt the cushion under her butt. Penny opened her palm, placing two aspirin on one and a water bottle in the other.

“I don’t know if I can swallow them.” Her throat was so froggy, Charley could barely make out her own words.

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