Page 21 of Salace

As I pull away from the curb, I press down on the gas pedal and let the car lurch forward. Speeding past the nauseating, touchy scene, I press down on the horn to get their attention.

I want her to know that I saw her.

I want to know that she sees me.

But of all the things that I know she won’t understand, she won’t know just how much she’s already wrecked me from the inside out.

And I guess there’s no way she’ll ever realize it. Especially not while she has him.

* * *

My large, Styrofoam cup is almost empty as I set it down on the table. I once read that vanilla can calm a stressed mind, and I’ve been pretty wired since “running into” Aimee and her guy.

Leaning forward, I wrap my lips around the straw as I fish my phone out of my pocket. I figure now is as good a time as any to finally break things off with Eden since the rest of my evening is already shot.

Placing the phone on the table next to the large cup, I double-tap the screen to life, scroll to her name, then chicken-peck a one-fingered text message to her.

She’ll come because I reminded her that it’sourplace and that I really want to see her right now.

I wait a few moments for her to reply, then nod to myself when she tells me that she’s on her way.

More than likely thinks I’m going to spend money on her.

While the ice cream and shakes aren’t expensive here, I’m kind of sick and tired of her taking advantage of me, and this is one of the ways she likes to do it.

She’ll “meet” me places or magically “bump” into me somewhere, claiming that she brought the “wrong” purse and asks me to pay for her stuff.

It’s entirely my fault for doing it every time, though I always felt that, as her boyfriend, it was something Ishoulddo anyway.

It’s gonna feel so good to get out of this bullshit relationship. Maybe even better to be alone for a little while.

Aimee is already taken.

Eden is a thieving whore.

And Mrs. H.

Well… she seems to have a bit of a crush on me from what I gather.

Perhaps I’ll let her scratch that itch before I swear women off for a while.

Might as well get something out of this.

JULIA

Iwake in my bathroom. On the cold tiles. My cheek stuck to the floor. I scrub my eyes with the heels of my hands. The events of the previous night slowly materialize in my mind, but everything is a blur. The last thing I remember is downing vodka. As I stagger to my feet, I glance at myself in the mirror. My hair is matted, and my makeup is smudged. I look like a hot mess. A wave of nausea hits me, and I stumble over to the toilet, retching as I empty the contents of my stomach.

I sit there for a few minutes, gathering my thoughts and trying to recall what happened last night. But my mind is blank, and all I can remember is the taste of alcohol burning my throat. I try to stand up, but my legs feel weak and wobbly. I grab onto the edge of the sink to steady myself as I stumble towards the door. I notice my cell lying on the countertop.

I pick up my phone and glance at the screen. The time reads 10:30 a.m. I groan, realizing that I'm already late for my 11 a.m. therapy appointment. Aimee's dad will have a field day in court if I miss any of my mandated appointments. A text message notification catches my eye, and my heart races as I read it.

Wrong number...but hot pics.

I scroll up and nearly vomit again when I see what I sent last night. I shake my head, trying to focus on the appointment at hand. But my mind drifts to the pictures I sent. I fight the urge to reply, knowing that I need to get to my appointment. I try to recall the events of last night, but my mind continues to draw a blank. I know I shouldn't be drinking, especially not in the midst of a custody battle.

I take a deep breath and try to focus on the task at hand. I need to get to my therapy appointment if I miss it Aimee's dad will use it against me in court. I stumble from the bathroom into my bedroom, toss on the first clothes I find; then back to the bathroom to splash cold water over my face, rub some toothpaste on my teeth, and rake a comb through my hair.

I grab my keys and head towards the door, taking slow and steady steps.

---