“Of course, you don’t. So, is that it? That’s where we’re leaving this?”
She shrugs with her back to me. “Pretty sure we’ve covered the ‘What the fuck is my ex doing in Mexico?’ Relationship statuses, the bullshit pleasantries, which is surprising considering the company,” she fires over her shoulder.
“Yeah, well, maybe I’ve finally learned my lesson on that front. At least when it comes to you.”
She tosses her hands up. “I was just trying to have an honest conversation with you, Easton.”
“No, you’re trying to drunkenly confess your regrets, a tactic I’ve always refused to allow you.”
“Of course. Brutal honesty is the best policy.”
“Yeah, it really fucking is,” I spout to her retreating back.
“Damned if I do or don’t with you anyway,” she utters, already a few strides toward the hotel.
I catch myself and stop my footing, calling at her back. “There’s no need to run anymore, Beauty. No one is chasing you.”
She turns on a dime, her eyes glimmering with pain as she sees me standing a good distance away.
“It was good to see you, Natalie. Congratulations.”
Nothing about the hurt shining in her eyes feels like a victory. Nothing, and I wish like hell it did. She swallows the last of a harsh exhale before she turns back toward the hotel. As the distance grows, her words threaten to brand their way into my psyche as I try to rebuke each one.
That’s all they are. Words.
As she enters the bar, Jerod produces the purse she left behind and waves it toward her from where he stands. Without missing a step, she claims it and stalks forward. As she disappears into the lobby, so do my expectations that this vacation—along with the strides I’ve taken in the last few months—are salvageable.
Damn this woman.
“Another shot?” Jerod asks as I plant myself at the bar while trying to get my heart to obey my fucking mind. “Just a beer.”
Always Remember Us This Way
Lady Gaga
Natalie
Holly paces in front of me as I sip my Bloody Mary, deciding it’s as close to drinking tequila as I’m ever going to get again. The last time I drank tequila, my ex-husband showed up on my Mexication with his beautiful new girlfriend waiting for him—probably naked—when he got back to his hotel room. And by last time, I mean—last night. I woke up today in full-fledged denial, praying I dreamt it, until Damon came to me with a fistful of options. In one hand, a coffee, in the other, a Bloody Mary. Option two has been good to me.
“What are the odds, Nat? What are the fucking odds!?” Holly says as I mentally plot my next few days in paradise.
“Chill out. I’m working on a new itinerary. Today is vodka, tomorrow rum. Oh,” I exclaim, “let’s have a schnapps day!”
“This isn’t funny.”
“I’m painfully aware of that. Please stop pacing. You’re making me dizzy,” I whine as I take a hard pull of the cocktail. Holly kneels in front of me, placing her hands on my terry cloth-covered knees. At least my wardrobe is sorted. It will remain my staple uniform as I live in my hotel room for the next three days charging away my sobriety drink by drink. Thankfully with my new salary, I can afford it.
“You can’t hide in here,” Holly reasons.
“Watch me make a liar out of you. Let’s change the subject. Can we talk about last night?” I beg. “Please. What happened with Damon?”
“Nothing to report. We had a quiet dinner, followed closely by quiet drinks. His wingman skills are nonexistent. He’s in a weird headspace. The bars were scarce, so sadly, I danced by myself for an hour until I managed to hook a hottie on the floor. The cockblocker immediately claimed I was drunk and whisked me back to my room. Something’s wrong with him, and he won’t tell me what.” Her eyes implore mine. “Do you know what’s wrong?”
“No idea,” I lie.
“Well, he’s going to come clean to me, or we’re going to fight.”
I have a feeling it’s going to be a damn good one. I fish my bacon olive breakfast off my shiny, yellow cocktail sword and begin devouring it as she snatches the drink away from me.
“Get dressed immediately. Poolside, now.”
“No.”
Ignoring me, she tosses a glittering, emerald bikini my way. “You’ve finally got six abs. The world deserves to know.”
“No.”
She plucks the golden chain I brought off my dresser full of accessories and tosses it on the bed next to the bikini, completely unaware of the piece of the past she just added to her demands. “Put it on.”