One way to put the past behind me .
One way to drown out the memories .
One way to wipe her from my thoughts .
I pulled the top off a bottle of bourbon and took a swig. It burned my throat, but I didn’t care. I swallowed again. Before I knew it, the bottle was empty .
The glass hit the floor with a thud as I fell forward onto the couch. I didn’t know what time it was when I finally passed out, but the last thing I saw was Sierra’s lips. There wasn’t enough alcohol on this island to drink her out of my mind .
* * *
I reached for my head when the sun hit me in the face. Fuck. I walked to the kitchen and poured a glass of orange juice and ransacked the cabinets looking for aspirin .
I popped the tablets in my mouth and chugged them down. The old phone my parents had nailed to the wall was still attached. I couldn’t forget the number to Sierra’s aunt’s house if I wanted to. I tapped the digits onto the keypad and waited for her to answer .
“Hello?” She sounded sleepy. It was barely sunrise .
“Hey. It’s Blake .”
“Oh.”
“Look, about last night.” I ran my hand over my neck. The hangover stemmed from somewhere in the lower part of my skull .
“It shouldn’t have gone like that. I think we need a do-over .”
“A what?” she squeaked .
I couldn’t believe I was saying this shit. “A do-over. I’ll pick you up at seven thirty .”
“For what?” she questioned .
That was the question. Was I trying to prove to myself I was over her? Or that I could take her? Use her like she had used me? Prove that I could fuck her over and no longer needed her? Could I drive off this island like she had and not give a fuck about her ?
“Come on, Sierra. It’s a date. I’ll pick you up and we’ll just pretend last night never happened .”
“I don’t understand. Last night wasn’t the best reunion. We haven’t talked in years and now it’s a date ?”
“We’re older now, aren’t we?” Did she still know me so well that she could read through my bullshit reasons ?
She paused. “I guess so .”
“Then just go with it, darlin’. See you toni
ght .”
I hung up before she could poke more holes in my sudden interest to see her .
Nine
Sierra
P romptly at seven thirty, the screen door to the kitchen screeched a little as Blake knocked and pulled the weathered door open to enter Aunt Lindy’s house. He had left his truck rumbling in the gravel drive .
“You ready?” he called into the house .
“I’m ready.” I had to stop myself from beaming at him .
Unlike the last time I’d seen him, he wasn’t wearing a scowl. This was different. Very different .