Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 68459 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 342(@200wpm)___ 274(@250wpm)___ 228(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68459 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 342(@200wpm)___ 274(@250wpm)___ 228(@300wpm)
I threw the drink, glass and all, at her face.
It hit with a thunk, and then splashed all over the closest three people.
The woman cried out in pain.
The bouncer I hadn’t noticed was there seconds later, picking me up and yanking me backwards.
“You made the best woman I know cry,” I snarled. “Because you thought it would be funny to make fun of someone who’s disabled. What kind of person does that make you, Taite DeRosa?”
Taite narrowed his eyes and stood up. “It makes me a fucking comedian, bitch! Learn how to take a joke!”
Fury ignited further in my blood, but I didn’t act on it as I allowed the bouncer to continue pulling me backwards. I pointed at Taite, who was staring at me with shock.
“I will make your life a living hell, Taite DeRosa. Mark my words!” I growled.
The bouncer continued to drag me back until I was in the elevator with him.
His grip was painful, but I didn’t protest.
I kind of figured this was where the night would go.
“My best friend tried to kill herself three times over the last sixteen months, Mr. Bouncer,” I whispered to the man.
The man’s grip loosened.
“I couldn’t let it go,” I continued to talk, tears threatening.
“Your phone’s still recording,” he said softly.
That’s when he let me go enough to allow me to stop it.
I did, then fisted it tightly. “I’m scared she’s going to try again.”
He patted my hair, his voice soft, and said, “Darlin’, if you’re that worried about her, you should be with her.”
I should.
“She promised me that she wouldn’t ever try again,” I said. “And she lives with her mom.”
“Good,” he said as he gently guided me through the elevator door. “I’m sorry I have to kick you out.”
I was sorry, too.
The place seemed really nice.
“Thank you for helping me get away from him,” I said as he guided me toward the door.
But he didn’t kick me out.
He walked me to my car in the alley.
Which was very thoughtful.
“Thank you,” I said softly.
“I would hope that, if my sister had made it out of childhood, she would’ve had a friend like you,” he said. “Be careful on the way home, darlin’.”
And I was.
I drove home on autopilot. But the fury that had ignited my blood was gone. All that was left was a sense of helplessness.
When I got to my apartment, I parked in my usual spot next to the dumpster.
The homeless guy who usually stayed there next to it was gone, and I was sad that I’d missed him for the night.
He was a nice guy. Liked to make sure that I got to the front door all right.
When I got inside, I was annoyed to see that the elevator still wasn’t working, and there were now four lights out in the lobby instead of the usual three.
Tromping up the stairs in my uncomfortable high heels, I pulled out my phone and texted Keda’s mom, Denita.
Me:
How is she?
Denita replied instantly, saying that the last she checked, Keda was sleeping.
Tucking my phone under my arm, I dug the key out of my bra and unlocked my apartment.
My apartment door closed, and I felt suddenly sad.
So, because I loved music and dancing, I turned my phone onto Spotify and played my favorites playlist, then danced around the kitchen as I tried to scrounge up something to eat. The cupcake was just a snack.
To say that I was useless at dancing would be an understatement.
Keda liked to tell me that my dancing was more akin to the word ‘balter’ than ‘dancing.’
Dancing, according to Keda, required some sort of skill. What I did was anything but skillful.
But I got my dinner made.
I ate it.
And I made plans.
Then I searched Reddit for the best ways to torture someone without going to jail while doing it.
Because, sadly, I still had to keep my job at the hospital.
And they required no felonies to work there.
Follow your ‘fuck yes’ not your fears.
—Quincy to a colleague
QUINCY
4 hours earlier
“Please, please, please?” my brother, Quaid, begged.
I stared at him long and hard, hoping that without words, he’d get the hint.
But he didn’t.
He kept begging like the little bitch he was.
“I’ll help you build that deck,” Quaid offered.
I nearly rolled my eyes but caught myself in time.
I sighed. “You would’ve helped me build that deck anyway.”
“True.” Quaid frowned. “What’ll it take?”
A miracle.
I thought about it for a long moment, wondering what, exactly would be enough for the task he had for me, then grinned. “You take my shift for me next week.”
I’d already been begging all of them to take it. I needed more than just a single day off. In fact, this could work out perfectly…
“But that’s my only day off,” he whined.
But I was already shaking my head. “You know my price.”
He sighed. “Fuckin’ fine.”
Grinning, we shook hands, and I walked out, only to be stopped with the reason for the day off.