CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
“I don’t understand why you don’t just stay here…They have one bedroom apartments and you wouldn’t have to move your stuff far,” I say, popping another chip in my mouth, I flip through the listings again. I don’t want to be negative, but these places aren’t as nice as his apartment now. Hayze collapses beside me on the couch, leaning over my shoulder, he looks with me.
“This place is only college students. All anyone does is party here and I wanna get away from that. Besides, when you come to your senses and move in, you’ll want a quiet place.” He brings the rim of his glass to his mouth, taking a sip to cover his grin.
“I’m not moving in with you,” I say for the millionth time today. “And why are you drinking already?”
“Babe, everyone will be here in an hour.”
I gasp and jump from the couch. “What? I haven’t even started getting ready!” He chuckles, shaking his head. I walk in his bedroom and he follows behind me.
He was at my dorm this morning, convincing me to help him pick an apartment. I grabbed the essentials for tonight and left with him. He’s keeping his word so far, that includes breaking his lease with Joel. I tear my clothes off and grab my dress from the hanger and pull it on.
“Will you zip me?” I ask, holding my hair up.
His hands find my back, they’re cool from the glass, making me shiver. His fingers deliberately trail up my back as the pulls up the zipper. He places a kiss on my neck and steps away, I sigh in frustration and he grins.
“Why are you puttin’ your dress on right now?”
“I’m about to touchup my hair and I don’t want it to get messed up,” I say, pawing at my hair. To my surprise it’s still curly, all I need to do is touchup a few strands. I plug in my wand and pull my makeup bag out. I look in his full length mirror, turning in every direction to inspect this dress. It screams New Year’s Eve. The black metallic jewels catch light from all angles, the thin spaghetti straps are black. And the back…well, its nonexistent, only a thin strap connects each side. I tug a little on the bottom hem when I slip my nude heels on. It’s short, much shorter than I remember.
“What do you think?” I ask, looking at Hayze through the mirror. He’s leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. When his eyes meet mine, I already know the answer. I pull my bottom lip in my mouth, bracing for his reaction. His arms drop to the side then he stalks over, I watch from the mirror as his arms snake around my waist and falls down my thighs. The gesture is so simple, it’s one he’s done countless times, but there’s something about watching him touch me that makes it erotic. The girl that stares back at me, isn’t me, her eyes are wild, and she’s confident as the thin fabric grips her curves.
His face falls into the crook of my neck, his breathing picks up. “I think you know how I feel about this dress,” he says, meeting my sight in the mirror. “You’re the sexiest fucking thing I’ve ever seen, but if you leave out of my apartment with this on, we’re gonna have problems.”
I pull away from him, giggling, I sit on the floor in front of the mirror that stretches across his closet. I wrap a strand of hair around the wand, Hayze watches me with amusement.
“You’re going to be on your best behavior tonight,” I say, teasing him, but at the same time, I’m serious and he knows it. This might be the longest we haven’t fought and I don’t want to mess that up.
He walks from the room without a word and I continue to touchup my curls. When I’m satisfied, I start on my makeup. I’ve always been the worst at this part, Lea makes it look so easy. I, on the other hand, couldn’t draw a straight line to save my life. Still, I try in vain. It was against the rules to wear makeup in my house. I roll my eyes, angry that my father deprived me of the ability to wing my freaking eyeliner. Hayze walks back in the room, his glass is filled to the top.
“We’re taking a cab,” He says, shrugging off my expression. “What time is Lea comin’ over?”
I look at my phone and panic when I see how late it is. Everyone is meeting at the apartment to drink before we go out. “She should be here in like fifteen minutes,” I say.
“Do you want a drink?” He asks, pointing to his cup.
“Not right now.” I stand and step into my heels, with one last mirror check, I smile and follow him into the living room. “Who’s coming?”
He falls on the couch and pulls me into his lap. “Chandler, Kassi, Lea, your brother,” He sighs, “Joel, because the stupid fuck lives here.”
I giggle at his disdain. “I can’t believe my brother’s coming. So awkward,” I say, scrunching my nose. Not that I’ve asked, but I get the feeling something is going on between Lea and Scott. And it’s not something I want to witness first hand tonight, or ever.
His lips find my ear. “We have fifteen minutes…What to do,” He whispers.
Like a child, I grab my ear, and move away from him. “Hayze…Lea will be early, you know that and Joel’s in the other room.”
He rolls his eyes. “You’re right, fuck, this is why we need our own place.”
“You’re getting your own place…I already have one.”
“You wouldn’t have to share a room with Lea, you could shower alone…We could fuck in the living room without getting caught,” He says, patting my backside.
“Hayze, no,” I complain. I need him to stop because his plan is working. I’m afraid if he says one more thing I’ll pack my bags immediately and move in.
“Taylor, yes,” He mocks my voice, sounding spot on; I nudge him with my elbow.
“I have a dorm that’s completely paid for. It would be crazy,” I say. At this point I’m not sure who I’m trying to convince, him or myself. “By the way, how is someone that doesn’t show up to work anymore paying for an apartment?”
He laughs once and pats my leg, moving me as he stands. “I’m doing something else right now, I’ve talked to Randy about it. I’m not working there as much. No big deal,” he says, then walks into his room.
“What are you doing?” I ask, following him. I cross my arms across my chest and lean against the door frame, watching as he changes shirts. He pulls the black button down shirt on, buttoning it as he looks at me.
“It’s nothing really…I…” There’s a knock at the door and he walks past me to get it. I groan, knowing this conversation is dead. A lot could’ve happened in the days we didn’t talk.
“Tay!” I recognize that voice, my head snaps up and I go into the living room. Lea wastes no time; she’s pouring a drink when I walk in. Shea walks from the kitchen, greeting me with a hug. Lea’s dress makes me feel better about mine, Shea’s navy blue dress is modest, her heels are short, and still put her over six-foot tall.
“I didn’t know you were coming,” I tell Shea. I’m thrilled she’s here. I know I can’t handle being around this dysfunctional group of people without Shea and Lea.
“I’m full of surprises. Hey, your brother’s running late,” Lea says. She kicks off her heels and sits on the couch with her drink.
“This is gonna be so awkward.”
Joel’s door swings open and my eyes snap to him. It doesn’t matter how many times I’ve been around him, I’m nervous when he’s around. I can count on one hand how many bad experiences I’ve had with him, but it doesn’t help shake my uneasy feeling. The door swings wider and Jenny walks out. I haven’t seen her since the accident, and I feel bad about not checking on her. As she sways her hips through the apartment, looking smug, I remember why I don’t care to ask.
“You guys have fun tonight. Some people have to work for a living,” she says on her way out.
“Try working at a bar that’s closed during the week,” Shea fires back, wrinkling her nose as Jenny closes the door.
Joel turns to us, forcing a tight smile. He walks to his room and lets out a long breath. “If you guys could not mention what you just saw, that would be great,” he says, motioning his hand between himself and the front door.
<
br /> Lea throws her head back, laughing. “You mean don’t tell the new girl about the old girl?”
He nods his head.
“Yeah…I have no control over my tongue when I’m drunk, but here’s to a good night. May we make better choices in the new year,” she says, raising her glass in his direction. He flips her off and walks to the kitchen.
“Does he have to go with us?” Lea whispers but I look at him, hoping he doesn’t hear her. Hayze sits in the recliner, beside the couch, and pulls me in his lap.
I lean closer to her, holding my hands around my mouth, I say, “Stop! Hayze is breaking his lease…This is the last time we have to endure him.”
“You’re breaking your lease? Are you two moving in together?” Her eyes glance between us so quick, she looks animated.
Hayze says yes at the same time I say no. His hands wrap around me pulling me closer, I feel his chest vibrate with laughter. “Eventually,” he tells her.
“How much have you had to drink?” I ask him, hushed.
He looks at me, baffled. “I’ve had three glasses of wine.”
I shake my head, pulling further away from him. “But you’re filling them to the rim! That’s double!”
“It’s New Year’s Eve, we’re all gonna drink too much. I’m just saving myself an extra trip,” he says, laughing at his own joke.
“You two are like watching a train wreck,” Lea says.
“We’re actually getting along really good right now,” I say, smiling.
The door swings open and Chandler walks through, without an invitation. Kassi follows him, waving when she spots me. Chandler throws his thirty-pack on the counter and comes in our direction. I stand, getting out of his way and walk over to Kassi.
“Hey! Want anything to drink?” I ask.
Crinkling her nose, she shakes her head. “Nah, I have to be up early in the morning. My parents are coming in and I thought maybe I could see them without a hangover,” she says, giggling.
“Understandable.”
“I think they planned that on purpose,” she says, then walks over to join Chandler. She loops her arm through his and leans into him. She laughs, hanging onto every word he says. A pang of jealousy shoots through me. I don’t think Hayze and I ever went through that phase. I can’t remember looking like that, but maybe we’re different. Maybe their love is an infatuation that lights quick and fades just as fast. Maybe our feelings are the real deal, the type that light slowly and the flame doesn’t go out, it carries on, nagging your sanity until you wonder how you have hair left.
I find two glasses on the counter and pick up the one nearest me. I take a gulp and slam the glass down, coughing. Hayze looks at me, brow cocked and I wave, letting him know I’m fine. The drink leaves a bitter taste in my mouth, I take a sip of water, mentally preparing myself for another drink. The second drink isn’t as bad, I quickly finish it and pick up the other glass. Whoever made them has a heavy pouring hand. Lea motions for me so I scoop up the cup and walk to the couch.
“What are you drinking?” She asks when I sit beside her and Shea. Hayze is standing near the door, talking to Chandler and Kassi is by his side.
“It was on the counter.” I shrug my shoulders, feeling the fast effect of the drink, my speech is a little slurred.
“You look hot, by the way. I was afraid of what I might find… Just know that I came over here with a change of clothes for you,” Lea says.
“She really did,” Shea giggles. “Where are we going tonight?”
Lea perks up, anxious to lay out her plans. If nothing else, I have the best nights when I go out with her, she knows how to plan a night out. She dives into planning mode with Shea at the same time the door opens, bringing in another guest. She doesn’t bother speaking to us, instead she goes straight to Joel’s room and closes the door. Every time I see that happen, I feel sick, how many girls are in and out of this apartment every day? I look at Hayze, slightly frowning, he winks at me and I giggle. I feel…drunk, maybe.
Lea and Shea continue to talk, they even laugh at something but I can’t focus on them. I haven’t heard a word they’ve said.
“Taylor!”
“Hmm?” I look at Lea; my eyes are unfocused. I blink, but I’m still not able to see her clearly.
“You okay?” She asks, concerned.
“Yeah.”
Minutes tick by and my mood is souring. I know something is off, maybe I’m coming down with something. Yeah, I’m sick, I have to be. I just need to walk over and tell Hayze. I brace my hands on each side of me and push from the couch, luckily I kicked my heels off before because I’m having a hard time walking.
I stumble, but Hayze catches me. “Baby, what’s wrong?” He coos.
Why does everyone keep asking me that? “I feel…” I almost say bad, but I stop myself. I don’t feel bad, just different.
“You feel what, Taylor?” I hear panic in his voice, I close one eye and find that I can focus better on his face this way.
“There you are,” I giggle.
I hear movement all around me. Hayze sits me on the couch and I close my eyes, willing myself to fall asleep. When I wake up I’ll feel better. “Lea, what the fuck happened?”
“I don’t know! She got a drink and came back and started acting weird!”
“Can we stay here?” I ask him, reaching out for his hand.
“Yeah, Baby, we’re staying here.”
“Who the hell got my drinks?” Joel asks. His voice is so muffled then everything goes quiet, I’m certain I’ve passed out.
“WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU DO?” Hayze yells, I wince, knowing I’ve never heard him so angry. Why is he so angry with me?
“I didn’t do shit!” Joel says.
“Oh my god,” Lea shrieks. I sit up, trying to find out what’s going on. What happened that has everyone so upset?
“What did you put in those drinks, Joel?” Shea asks, her voice has an edge to it I’ve never heard before.
“Oh shit,” Joel says, amused as he laughs. “Did she drink both of those drinks?”
“Yeah, she did, Asshole! So why don’t you tell us what was in the damn drink,” Lea yells. I feel weight shift from the couch.
“Lea, I’ll handle this,” Hayze says, his voice is dangerously low. “Did you drug my girlfriend?”
“No…I was drugging myself and your girlfriend interfered with that,” he says, still laughing. Everything starts to click in my foggy head. “Look, man, she’ll enjoy it, go out and have a good time. Calm the fuck down.”
Hayze chuckles and honestly the sound scares the shit out of me. It’s not the laugh he makes with me, it’s twisted, dangerous; I want to yell at someone to get him away from Joel. It’s not worth it! “I’m far from calm. What was in the drinks?”
“Whiskey…And a few Xanax. Four of ‘em”
“What?” A girl shrieks, I’m assuming it’s the second girl of the night. I want to tell her to run and get out while she can. “You were planning on giving that to me?” He doesn’t respond. Minutes later I hear heels clicking and the door slam shut.
“I had to do something. Lea was gonna tell her about Jenny,” he says, unfazed.
“Lea, take Taylor in the bathroom. See what you can do,” Hayze says, his voice is cold. I can’t respond. I can’t move. I can barely focus my eye sight.
“Maybe you should go with her, Hayze… She needs you right now,” She tells him.
“I’ll be there in a minute,” he says, his voice is clipped.
I feel two people help me up from the couch. I blink many times before I can see Shea and Lea helping me to the bathroom. “Please don’t do anything stupid,” Lea mutters and Hayze laughs, sending a shiver down my spine.
I focus on moving one foot at a time. My friends are dragging me, but I’m trying to walk; when we get to the bathroom, they lay me on the cool tile.
“I find it absolutely hilarious the guy that use to snort coke and ea
t pills like fuckin’ candy, is mad because his girlfriend drank a spiked drink. Grow a pair of balls dude, I had to listen to you cry all last week when she dumped your ass, you’re just pissed she’ll breakup with you again when she wakes up.”
If Hayze responds, I don’t hear him. There’s an eerie calm throughout the apartment. Lea and Shea fuss quietly over me, deciding what to do, but I ignore them.
“It was just a few pills, she’ll be fine. You’re seriously worried? You did coke for three days straight last week, I thought you were gonna die, but…” A loud crash makes me wince. I hear something slam into a cabinet and I try to get up.
“Get him,” I manage to say.
“Chandler’s in there…He’s handling it,” Lea coos, attempting to soothe me, but I know she’s worried.
“HAYZE!” I hear Chandler yell; he says something else but I can’t make it out. Someone slams the bathroom door.
“Turn the water on to drown out the sound,” Lea whispers. The water twists on and I grow frustrated. “Taylor? Sit up. Look, this won’t be fun but you’ve gotta throw up. This has to come out, you’ll feel better.”
I try to protest but her fingers jab down my throat before I can say anything. They’re leaning me over the toilet. Shea twists my hair back and Lea moves her fingers before I throw up.
Then everything goes black.
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