Vicious Circles - By Leann Andrews Page 0,1
but that meant getting involved. Being non committal was my specialty and I was allergic to change.
*~*~*
Three very long days later, we stepped off the bus, which smelled almost as odd as we did. I expected the trademark puff of black smoke to explode in our faces as it pulled away, but was severely disappointed when it didn’t. Jill took a seat and I followed her, lighting a cigarette. We didn’t know anyone on the east coast and neither of us had been to Philadelphia before.
“Amazing idea you had Jill. What in hell are we going to do now?” How did I let her talk me into ignorant things?
“I’ve got all the shows and bars listed here,” she said, pulling a crumpled piece of paper from her pocket. “I’ve got enough for a room…at least three nights. We’ll have to wing it after that.”
I sighed and tossed my smoking cigarette into the road. “I need to shower. I smell like the old lady that got on in Ohio.”
We ended up in the roachiest roach motel in downtown Philadelphia, although I wasn’t too terribly upset. It was better than sleeping up against a dumpster in an alley. Yes, I’d been in that situation more than once. The guy behind the desk gave us directions to the club after ten minutes of staring down Jill’s top, which I found hilarious. Served her right.
“You are such a hooker, Jill.” I shook my head and showed the burly man at the door my ID. “I’m gonna hang at the bar and score some free drinks. Let me know when we can leave.”
“Who’s the hooker now, Fallyn? Free drinks?”
I smiled sweetly. “That doesn’t make me a whore. I’m not suctioning any man parts for them. Go find your friend and don‘t come back until it‘s time to leave.”
Jill rolled her eyes and hurried off.
People watching was my favorite thing to do. I’d rather watch someone from afar than meet them properly. Meeting someone new meant telling them all about me and that was a no no. I preferred to keep shit to myself, which explains why I put up with Jill’s crap. Saying hello and batting my eyes was efficient enough to earn a few drinks, but the moment the dude looked even remotely interested I switched off.
The little bar was a dive but I enjoyed it so much more than the places I frequented in LA. I was pleasantly drunk by the time Jill found me again. There was a fake smile plastered across her face and I almost questioned it until I saw what, or rather who, she was dragging along behind her. Mason Jennings. Inwardly I groaned, repulsed by what I knew about their non relationship.
“Fallyn, I want you to meet Mason. I don’t think I’ve introduced you two before.” Jill looked at me as he stepped forward to shake my hand, daring me to say something.
“It’s a pleasure,” Mason said, releasing my hand at the same time.
“So, we’re going back to his place,” she smiled over at him, “and I’m not sure when I’ll be back.”
I knew it was going to happen, I knew it. “What the hell am I supposed to do while you’re off screwing this guy?”
Both Mason and Jill looked at me with wide eyes.
“You heard me! I know you two are smart enough to realize that you’re using each other.” I was sick of her ignorant shit, may as well tell them both how I felt. “Jill, you are only fucking him because you want to get noticed. Mason, I’m sorry I don’t know you but from what I’ve heard, you only want to get your dick wet. Now, give me my bus ticket. I’m trading it in and getting the hell outta dodge.”
Jill snapped into action, smacking me across the face before I could block her. Mason reached forward trying to stop her assault but was too slow. I sneered at her, ready to knock her dumb ass out. I expected her to retaliate with a verbal assault; instead she huffed, snatched her bag higher up on her shoulder and stormed out of the bar. I followed, but only after I tried to apologize to the stunned guy we left in our wake. She had ghosted into the crowd by the time I caught up with her.
Jill didn’t come back to our room that night. By the next afternoon I was starting to panic. My chest clenched and I could feel my heartbeat pounding away in