Bitter

We spend the next hour drinking and laughing and talking. I’m so glad I did this. It feels good to be around people again and to just be able to be myself. None of these people really know me or any of my problems, and it feels good to be able to let go of that for a little while.

Kirk joins us then with a beer. After a few too many giggles, he raises an eyebrow at me. “How much have you had to drink? You need a ride home?”

I lean my head against his shoulder and relax. “That would be awesome,” I sigh. I’m honestly exhausted. After the way this week has been going and my long shift, I’m ready to relax.

He nods. “Yeah? Now?”

I give him a small smile. “Yes, please.”

We quickly say goodbye to everyone, and then I follow him out to his car. About fifteen minutes later, I’m pointing out which house is mine, and he pulls into the driveway. He smiles at me, and I grab the door to open it. “Do you want to come in?”

He smirks back. “Only if you want me to.”

I nod my head. “I do.”

We both get out of the car and head to the front door. It takes me a moment to find my keys since I didn’t drive. He leans up against the wall next to the door, and his eyes travel down my body. I give him a funny look, but he just smirks back.

“Do you want a drink?” I ask as I push the door open. “I’m sure I have somethi-.” I stop mid word and gasp in fear as I find a man standing in the living room. Reed stares at me and then at Kirk behind me. “Jesus!” I shout. “You scared the shit out of me!”

His face goes cold as he looks back at me. “Are you fucking kidding me?” he asks.

I try to not make a scene in front of Kirk. “What are you doing here?” I ask through clenched teeth.

Kirk steps closer to me. “Everything okay here?” he asks.

I smile. “Uhh...yes. This is my roommate, Reed,” I say awkwardly.

Reed lets out a disbelieving laugh. “Your roommate?”

“My brother-in-law,” I bite back to push him further.

Reed turns to Kirk. “You need to leave.”

Kirk raises his eyebrows. “Excuse me?”

“What the hell, Reed!” I step in. I try to push against his arm, but I stumble a little.

Reed’s eyes turn furious as he looks at Kirk. “Is she drunk?”

Even I’m afraid of him with how scary his voice is. Kirk seems to know not to push him further. “Yeah, I was just giving her a ride home,” he says even though we all know more would have happened if Reed wasn’t here. It’s hardly convincing with the smirk Kirk has on his face right now.

Reed clenches his fists. “You fucking prick!” he shouts as he makes his way toward him.

“Reed! Relax!” I shout and step in between him and Kirk.

He pauses for a moment, so I turn around and face Kirk. “Thank you for the ride. Maybe you should go.”

He gives me a half smile. “Yeah.”

He leans down and places a kiss on my cheek. I can feel Reed’s eyes burning a hole in the back of my head until the front door finally closes behind Kirk. I let out a big sigh before I turn back around. When I do, Reed looks just as angry as before.

I roll my eyes as I walk toward the kitchen. “Fuck off, Reed! What are you even doing here?”

He grabs my arm and doesn’t let me pass by him. “You wouldn’t answer your phone.”

I glare at him. “Yeah, well, I was busy.”

He clenches his jaw. “I can see that.”

I pull away from him and walk to the kitchen to get some water. “Drop the judgemental tone.”

“How am I supposed to do that?” he shouts as he follows me to the kitchen. “How can I when you come home shitfaced with whatever random guy you can pick up?”

Now I’m fucking pissed. I slap my hands down on the kitchen island and lean forward. “I only had a few drinks! I knew what I was doing! Besides, you didn’t seem to mind I had been drinking when you were the one fucking me,” I spit back.

He leans forward across from me even more angry. “Exactly! You need to be mad at me! You need to be fucking pissed! You should hate me! I used you while you were grieving!” he yells. His face turns red, and the veins in his neck bulge.

“Why would I be mad? I’m the one who asked you to do it,” I respond.

He lets out a frustrated noise and looks up at the ceiling. He walks around the island until he is in my face. “You’re not getting it, Wren!” he yells. “That never should have happened!”

I don’t back down and instead stand taller. “Then why did you do it?”