room.
“No!”
I quickly grab my purse and phone off the coffee table and make a run for it. I can hear him running after me. I’m much quicker. I bound down the stairs and hop into my car. He skids to a halt outside my window and bangs on it.
“You promised,” he mouths.
I ignore him. I have to. If I don’t I’ll break down. I can’t break down anymore.
Becca pulls away. “Did you see his eyes? Killer blue eyes,” she mumbles, seeming to get lost. “Was that James?”
“Mhm.” I lean my head against the window and let the sun warm my face. My eyes look back at me. Red, bloodshot, and drained. I feel empty and too full. “I have to work tonight.”
“Can’t you call in?”
“I could try.” I move slowly. My stomach feels sick. “Becca,” I whisper, terrified of my emotions. “I can’t breathe.”
“Yes you can. I want you to realize what’s he’s doing to you. Look at you. You’re a mess. Every time you start to think about him, think about this moment right now. You can’t even breathe. Men are supposed to take our breaths away by the amazing things they do. They’re not supposed to leave us breathless with the things they won’t.”
But he did take my breath away…
My intelligence must be up for debate. How could it not be? I did everything I said I wouldn’t do. I did it knowing it. It was similar to touching something hot even though everyone told you it would burn. I wanted to get burned, as if some small part of me was eager for Kent’s fire. He burned me all right.
Becca slows down outside of an unfamiliar house. She pulls into the driveway and the front door opens. A biker babe with a black bob comes out. She’s covered in tattoos and piercings. She runs with her arms outstretched and brings Becca into a huge hug. I get out awkwardly. I’m sure I look like the last twenty four hours feel and I’m painfully confused. Why are we here?
I self-consciously tuck my hair behind my ear and approach their bonding moment.
“Claire, this is my sister Raina. Rain, this is Claire. Her husband was my boss at the bar I worked at before I went to school. Claire and I hit it off and kept in touch.”
“Hi,” I mumble, taking her hand. It’s always been weird for me around Becca’s friends. They’re all like her and I am me. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“It’s wonderful to meet you too,” she says, taking my hand. “I’ve heard so many things about you. Why don’t you guys come in? Max can bring in your stuff if you want when he gets home from work.”
“Oh it’s no problem.” I don’t know Max. Max is male and therefore not to be trusted.
“You sure?” Becca asks. “Because I’m tired and hungry. Last night was insane.”
“I’m sure,” I bite out. I don’t want to be here. I don’t even know these people. “If you’ll tell me where to put it all.”
“Hall off the front door, second door on your right. Come on, Bec. How long are you home for?”
Bec?
I glare at Claire’s back. She isn’t the enemy, but I can’t help but feel like Becca did this on purpose. Claire isn’t acting as if this is brand new. Becca planned this from the moment I mentioned Kent’s name.
I grab my hamper and a garbage bag and follow Claire’s directions to a small room with a twin bed. The house smells like cigarettes and there’s a musky odor, like cats. A bronze cat slinks between my feet, answering my question. It jumps onto the windowsill and basks in the sun.
“Home sweet home.” I’m exhausted. I sit on the bed and find that it’s soft. Before I know it Becca is shaking me awake. “What?” I sound half asleep.
“It’s Sophie. She called to check on you and told me Sam’s covering your shift tonight. You don’t have to come in.”
For the first time in days I feel relieved. I sit up and push my hair out of my face. “What time is it?”
“Four.”
“What is this place?” I whisper so only she can hear.
“They’re good people.” She smiles reassuringly at me. “You want to go out tonight? Claire’s taking me to a new nightclub downtown.”
“I don’t know what I want. I think I’ll start looking for an apartment. Get a job,” I order. “It smells like cats.”
She lies down on the mattress. “You think you can get me