Page 32 of Operation Annulment
After the crap with Nate, I need to get out of town and clear my head and heart. And what better way to get over someone than by taking a vacation—somewhere fun—like Vegas?
At least what happens there stays there, which would be a delightful change of pace from the neverending problems that seem to keep piling up on my doorstep.
Deep down, I know it’s one more example of me running from my problems, but I’ll save the psychoanalyzing for after the trip. To hell with responsibility and gorgeous men with perfect, orgasm-inducing dicks.
I deserve a break.
fifteen
COMMANDMENT #16: THOU SHALT NOT CONFUSE A ONE-NIGHT STAND FOR THE ONE
Kate
Oh god, I did it again…
I groan into the pillow, unable to determine whether the constant buzzing pulling me out of a dead sleep is coming from my phone or my aching head. The harsh taste of booze lingers on my tongue, leaving me fighting a sudden wave of nausea.
Mistake. Such a mistake.
I swore that last time was the last time and now look at me. Just look at me—barely clinging to consciousness in a body that’s primarily composed of booze.
The buzzing continues, and I peel my arm off the mattress with a soft whimper before carefully reaching for my phone.
“Never drinking again,” I croak as I blindly swipe at the screen. “H-hello?”
“Kate?” My mother’s voice sounds strange, and for a moment, I prepare myself for a lecture on the dangers of leaving town without telling anyone. Just as quickly, the more rational part of my mindsluggishly chimes in to remind me that I’m a grown woman who can do what she wants. Sort of.
“Listen, your sister’s up at the hospital with Zane. He was shot earlier tonight, but he’s going to be okay. He’s out of surgery and resting in a room now, but Dakota wanted me to let you know.”
I suck in a sharp breath and struggle to sit up before the pain in my head kicks in, forcing me down again. “Oh my god. I can meet you there. Just let me throw some clothes on?—”
And get rid of the hangover from hell.
“Katydid, take your time. Do you need me to book you a return flight?”
“A return flight?” I echo, forcing my legs over the side of the bed. “What do you mean?”
“From Vegas,” she says before quickly correcting herself. “Or wherever you are.”
I frown, knowing it isn’t a random guess. “How do you know?—”
“That doesn’t matter. Just get here, and we’ll talk, okay? I love you, baby.”
She ends the call before I can question her further, and I exhale a heavy sigh. Because I should have known I couldn’t skip town without someone noticing. Clearly, she has people watching my every move.
As I stand, my shin collides with the corner of the nightstand, and I bite back a curse before stumbling over to the window. The strip is a kaleidoscope of colors against the still-dark sky.
So much for a weekend of irresponsibility and room service. My twelve-hour reprieve from reality—and men in general—is over before it’s even begun.
I sigh heavily and shove my tangled hair off my face, catching several long strands on my ring.
My ring…
Time seems to slow down as I lower my wide eyes to the obscenely large diamond on my left hand, convinced I’m seeing things. But this is no hallucination. The gem winks in the light coming from outside, sending sparkles across the glass.
How?A sudden heaviness fills my chest as I try and fail to piece together last night’s events.
“Fuck, babe,” a deep voice groans from beneath the mound of blankets on the bed. “Never drinking again.”
