Anguished (Crimson Elite 2)

She’s right. Going upstairs to my old room, I find some jeans and shirt and throw them on before heading out. Howard offers me a big cuddle as I get to the car. He and Mel have been together forever. He’s good for her. They have one of the best relationships I’ve ever seen. And he’s for sure her ten.

“I feel I should pre-warn you before we get there, Matthew will be there.” I look to Mel who just rolls her eyes as she climbs in the car.

“Who fucking cares,” Mel says ending that conversation.

They hold hands on the drive while he gives her secretive looks. I’ve seen it all before, but never really paid so much attention. Maybe it’s because I just saw my date kissing someone else when he took me somewhere I had no place being. Or, maybe it’s just because I’m jealous that I haven’t found what they have.

As soon as we arrive, I practically jump from the car. Walking inside, not waiting for them, I step over to the bar and start ordering as many shots as I think my belly can handle.

“I didn’t think. I’m sorry.”

I detest that she knows why I’m upset, and I hate that I’m making her apologize.

“I sent him home.”

I look past her and don’t see Howard. Reaching for her cell, I press his number and he answers straight away.

“Get inside, your woman’s being silly.”

“Are you sure?” If I was a crier, I would break down in tears. They care, and right now I know I’m in the best place for me. “Yes. Now come and drink with us like we used to.” Hanging it up, I pass Mel’s cell back as Howard walks in. Handing him a drink he takes it then kisses Mel on the neck before he drinks it.

“Oh, fuck off asshat, before I kick you in the balls again,” Mel says looking behind me.

“I just wanted to say hi. No need for hostility, Mel. Howard you should learn to control her better.” Howard straightens and I don’t have to turn around to know Matthew is now backing away. Howard may be pussy-whipped as some like to say, but his love for Mel knows no bounds that’s for sure. When I do finally turn around, I see Matthew standing in the corner with his friends as they drink and play pool.

‘“I plan for you to roll me out of here,” I say to Mel as I down another drink.

She laughs. “Howard will help,” she says clinking our drinks together.“Stormi, Stormi, you need to wake up. Your mother thinks you’re dead.” Mel’s pushing me and I feel like death. Death I tell you. What the fuck happened? I don’t remember. Turning my head to the side and squinting through one half-opened eye, I see her sitting on the edge of the bed, she’s all smiles and I want to know how. Didn’t we drink the same amount? Why does my head hurt so much?

“What happened?”

“Oh, you weren’t lying. Howard and I practically had to roll your ass out of there last night.” She giggles sitting up straighter. Her laugh hurts my ears, so I close my eyes again. She hits me making everything ache. “If I were you, I would get up fast and maybe brush your teeth, you smell like something died.”

“Go away.” I turn away pulling the covers up.

“You called him last night. Do you remember?” I stay quiet trying to remember, and when it comes back to me, I almost want to die.“You’re an asshole. An asshole.”

Mel tries to take my cell off me, but I won’t give it to her. “Who does that to their date? Assholes do,” I slur into the cell.

“Red, where are you?”

“And what a fucking stupid name. Call me by my own name, you asshole.”

Mel walks off shaking her head, and I try to follow her, but I miss my step and hit the gravel floor.

“Fuck, I’m bleeding. Now, I have blood all over me. Asshole.”

“Storm, where the fuck are you?”

“Oh, now you want to use my real name, asshole. How about you go fuck yourself, and your skank of an ex. Who does that to someone? Kiss someone else on their wedding day. Assholes that’s who. You two deserve each other.”

“Fuck Storm, you’re bleeding,” Howard says as he reaches for me.

“You don’t have to carry me.”

“Yes, I fucking do...”

I forgot I had the cell to my ear as Howard walks with me over his shoulder.

“Storm, last chance where are you?”

“Bye, asshole.”“Oh my God, tell me I didn’t.” My head wants to explode, but that memory makes me want to bury myself.

“You did, and he’s downstairs talking to your mother right now.”

“You’re lying. I didn’t tell him where I was,” I say sitting up. She passes me some water, and I take a sip of it watching the door.