Tap Out (Reaper's Den Book One) - Nikki Mays Page 0,28

she really is.

“Uh-huh. Just text me when you get here and I’ll buzz you in.”

“Got it. Bye.” I say before ending the call.

I drive, okay speed, over to the liquor store and pick up more than a few bottles of wine. But really it’s not my fault. They’re having a damn sale. How is a girl supposed to say no to buy one get one half off? She’s not! That’s how. If I happen to look like an alcoholic with a shopping cart full of wine, then so be it. Everyone can take their judgy looks and shove them up their butts. I’m having a damn crisis right now, thank you very much.

My credit card may have wept a little when I paid for everything. But I’m still pretty sure that I got a pretty good deal considering I ended up getting sixteen different bottles. And despite the damn looks I was getting, I only plan on drinking two, okay three tops, tonight. For Pete’s sake, I’m not that much of a damn lush. I’m a nurse. We like to be prepared for everything.

I drive over to Kealy’s apartment on autopilot again. I’m seriously going to have at least ten tickets for traffic violations that they caught on camera. I know damn well that I probably drove right through a stop sign or two. But whatever, at least I’m here now and I don’t plan on driving anywhere for the rest of the night. Kea will be nice enough to let me crash on her couch.

I text her before I get out of the car and ask here what kind of wine she would like tonight. I made sure to get a few red, white, and pink wines. There is always a wine to go with a certain mood. And now I don’t have to worry about not having any that I may be in the mood for, for the next couple of months.

I grab a few bottles and walk up to the front of her building. She buzzes me in and I make my way to her apartment on the third floor. I knock on her door and let myself in when she yells that it’s open.

I walk through the door and put the bags down onto the floor. I then go about locking her two deadbolts, as well as the lock on the doorknob. It may seem like overkill but Kealy has a seriously sad story that I’ve only heard bits and pieces of when she was drunk. And even those small glimpses are absolutely horrific. I can’t even blame the girl for being skittish, especially around men and making sure that her place is locked up tighter than Fort Knox. If I was her, I don’t know if I would have the strength to even leave my place.

But that’s where Kea is an incredible soul. Not only does she thrive in life and at work, but she even volunteers down at the women’s shelter a few times a week. I’ve never met anyone like her and I’m so glad that she’s allowed me to be her friend.

Once I’m done locking everything, I pick up the bags filled with the wine and walk into her kitchen.

I lift my nose in the air and inhale deeply. “Mmmm. It smells so good in here. The cheesy bread smells like heaven.” I say as my stomach decides to rumble in agreement making Kealy laugh.

“I’m glad you’re hungry.” She chuckles. “I ordered enough to feed ten people. I even got wings and the cinnamon covered things for dessert.”

I purse my lips. “So what you’re really saying is that we’ll probably polish this off pretty easily.” I have absolutely no shame. I love food, especially junk food that is horrible for you. I’ll just have to make sure to do some extra cardio within the next few days.

Kea looks me up and down and shakes her head. “Eh, probably. But the way you sounded on the phone, I figured that some greasy comfort food is exactly what the doctor ordered.”

I place the bottles down onto her kitchen table and take them out of the bags. “That it is, girl.”

She’s leaning against her counter wearing unicorn pajamas and fuzzy socks. Her hair is up in a messy bun and she looks cute and ridiculous at the same time. She gives me a mischievous look. “How bad was it?”

I raise my eyebrow. “What, the kissing and groping, or the part where one of his daughters