Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 98255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 491(@200wpm)___ 393(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 491(@200wpm)___ 393(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
There was silence after her soul-baring. Aria looked up at him and he was moving. Wasn’t he? She tried to focus on him.
“Fuck her, Aria. She doesn’t have a clue what she’s talking about, and you don’t need to take shit from women like her.”
“She’s my mom. She knows best.”
“Someone who makes your life a misery doesn’t get the job of making you happy. Not anymore.”
“Why are you so close?” she asked.
“You’re dizzy.”
She held her fingers up close together. “A little bit.”
He chuckled. “You’re drunk.”
“Yep, I think I am.”
“You’re slurring your words.”
“They sound right to me.”
He chuckled. “Fuck me, Aria, what am I going to do with you?” he asked.
She reached out and it took her a few attempts to cup his face. “You don’t have to do anything with me, Grant. I know I’m repulsive. It’s why I’m a virgin.” She giggled. “I’m twenty-five years old, and you’re the only guy I’ve been on a date with. The peanut butter sandwiches were so good.”
“You’ve never had sex?” he asked.
“Never. Not once. I mean, I’ve used my hand a couple of times, but I’m not sure if that even counts.”
“Fuck me,” Grant said.
She giggled. “I’m sure you could have every single woman in town. You probably already have. I don’t know if you’ve screwed my sister. I know she wasn’t an angel.” She pressed her head against Grant’s. “This is nice.”
“I don’t think you’re going to remember much in the morning.”
“But I no longer feel like crying, so this is very nice. I think Jase is going to be pissed with me, though. How many calories are in the whiskey?” Her stomach chose that moment to growl. “I’m starving.”
“You’re going to be so sick tomorrow.”
The world was spinning, and she dropped her hands from Grant’s face and closed her eyes. “This is nice.”
The horrible voices that constantly played in her head were numb. They were not telling her how right her mother was, how she needed to get her fat ass up and start moving. There was simply nothing.
“Aria?” Grant asked.
“Yeah?”
“Let me take care of you.”
“Don’t you have better things to do?”
She didn’t remember his response as the world went dark, but it wasn’t scary. No, this was bliss.
****
Grant looked over at Aria in his bed.
He’d carried her to his room last night, and she hadn’t moved or shifted once. At one point he had to put a hand on her chest to make sure she was still breathing. She had freaked him out, but she was perfectly fine.
The alcohol was good stuff. The whiskey was one of the best and he always used it on a shitty day. Bumping into Aria, he had seen the pain and desolation in her eyes. He’d wanted to help. He didn’t believe the drink was the best idea, but at least it had stopped her from crying. The only problem now was the sickness that no doubt would come.
Getting to his feet, he made his way to the bathroom, took a piss, washed his hands, and brushed his teeth. Aria still hadn’t risen.
Wanda was whimpering, so he opened the door and stood, watching as his dog took her morning leak and crap, before letting her back in. He’d clean up the mess in a moment.
The only thing he knew would be good enough for Aria’s head was some toast and coffee. He put the kettle on the stove and started to heat it up. He only had instant coffee so he hoped that worked. Spooning a couple of teaspoons into mugs, he waited, and the sound of the kettle whistled. He turned it off, and like an alarm he heard Aria groan.
Grant rushed back into the bedroom and saw her covering her mouth. Here comes the vomit. He guided her to the bathroom and pulled her blonde hair out of the way so she could vomit into the toilet. This happened three more times and he winced.
Aria had mentioned last night, not having a lot of food. Alcohol on an empty stomach was not good. Next time, he’d make sure to feed her.
Once she was done, he helped her to her feet. She quickly covered her mouth.
“There’s a spare clean toothbrush in the drawer under the sink. I’ll see you in the kitchen.”
He returned to the kitchen, put the kettle back on to boil, and he put some bread in the toaster before grabbing some water and painkillers. Aria was going to need them. Her first time with whiskey was not being kind to her. He put everything on the table and paused.
Aria had let slip a whole host of firsts last night and he couldn’t help but wonder about them. A virgin. Was she joking about that? He shook his head and made himself some toast, sipping at his coffee.
Aria entered his kitchen. Her hair had been brushed and she’d splashed some water onto her face.