Page 1 of Heal Me

Chapter 1

Charlotte

“You ready?” my roommate, Jen Stanton, asks, plopping down on my bed. She flips her long brown hair, curled into loose waves, as she scrolls on her phone. “Elliot is going to be out tonight.” She smiles, catching her bottom lip between her teeth. “What do you think about his roommate, Collins?”

“He’s just not my type.” A nice way of saying Collins is a snobby douche.

“Ugh, Charlotte, who is your type?” she chides, looking up from her phone. “You haven’t dated anyone since you broke up with William months ago! You really shouldn’t have let him go. I always see him out with girls hanging all over him.”

“Good for him,” I say, unplugging my hair straightener and putting my makeup back in the pouch. I’m not being a smart-ass; I genuinely hope my ex-boyfriend is happy.

“Is that what you’re wearing?” she asks, eyeing my outfit. I glance down to my V-neck black T-shirt, jeans, and wedge sandals, and then over to Jen’s stomach-baring white crop top, short high-waisted black skirt, and complicated-looking strappy stilettos.

“Yes.”

“You look like you’re going to the library.”

I shrug. That’s where I’d rather be. Jen keeps pestering me about going out, that I’m missing the “college scene.” She should know me well enough by now to know the bar hookup scene isn’t my scene. But I’ve decided to go out tonight to placate her.

Grabbing my phone, I text Mom my plans.

Charlotte: I’m going out to a bar with Jen this evening. I shouldn’t be out too late.

I’m twenty-three years old, but I still call or text my mom every day. She’s a bit overprotective, but I humor her, seeing as I’m the only child.

Mom: Finally! Go out and have some fun!!!!

So maybe it won’t kill me to go out and have some fun. “I’m ready,” I tell my roommate, tossing my phone into my crossbody bag.

“You’re driving,” Jen announces as we walk downstairs.

“That’s fine, but I’ll have to stop at the gas station to fill up.”

She huffs. “Never mind, I’ll drive.”

Making our way downtown, I take note of where we park in the event Jen has one too many. We walk down an eerily empty Main Street, the businesses either shuttered for good or closed for the day. It feels like a ghost town, and I get an uneasy feeling, but we finally reach a building with neon lights ablaze. I go to open the heavy-looking industrial door when suddenly it opens, causing me to jump like a scared cat. Two guys walk out and Jen snickers at me.

“Ladies,” one of the guys drawls, holding the door open for us.

“Why, thank you.” Jen winks, shaking her hips as she steps inside. I follow behind her like a lost puppy, already regretting my decision. A muscled-up bouncer perched on a barstool intercepts us, and we flash our IDs.

I survey the smoke-filled scene—definitely not my scene. I repeat my mantra about it not killing me to have some fun as I follow Jen to the bar. “Jack and Coke,” Jen says in a flirty tone to the bartender. “You’ve got to have at least one drink or this doesn’t count.” She points at me.

“Hi, there. I’ll have whatever lager you have on tap. Thank you.” Our drinks are soon presented and I go ahead and settle up.

Jen says something, but the music’s so loud now I can’t hear her. “What?” I shout.

“Outside!” she shouts back, grabbing my arm and leading us through the smoky bar. We step onto the back patio and I take a deep breath.

Spotting Elliot at a table, we make our way over. He stands and pulls Jen to him and cups her butt. “Hey darlin’,” he drawls. He has on a collared polo shirt, khaki shorts, and boat shoes that scream preppy frat guy.

Jen giggles like an idiot. “Hey you,” she says, leaning in and kissing him. Awkward third-wheel moment, but then Collins walks over with a pitcher of beer and plastic cups. Collins likewise has the preppy boy look with a similar collared shirt and khaki shorts, except he went with flip-flops instead of boat shoes. He’s around Elliot’s height and might be better looking, if not for his snotty personality.

“Hey, Collins. You remember my roommate, Charlotte,” Jen says, her arms wrapped around Elliot’s waist.

“Hey,” he says dismissively and begins scanning the crowd. Why am I not at the library?

Jen takes a seat in Elliot’s lap, leaving me next to Collins. He grabs the pitcher and pours himself and Elliot a beer, but doesn’t offer one for me or Jen. I guess ladies fend for themselves with these gentlemen. That’s fine, one drink is all I want anyway.

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