Old Money - Rafe Cameron

Chapter 57

"I know you got mad at me the last time I brought you food." Josh held up his hands in surrender. "But your mom said you haven't been eating a lot, and I get it." Audrey looked at him with confusion and saw the plate he had in one hand. "I've been cheated on, too. It sucks."

She sniffled and wiped her eyes. "Yeah."

"Do you... want this?" He offered the plate.

She wearily took it and made her way back to her bed, resting the plate on her legs. She left the door open and Josh didn't enter, he watched as she nibbled lightly at her food and grimaced, not being able to stomach anything. He crossed his arms and leaned against the door frame, pressing his head to it as well.

"You okay?" He asked sadly. She didn't respond, but her face said it all. "Of course you're not." He sighed and entered her room, pulling the chair out from her desk and flipping it around, sitting in it backwards. "I've been through all of this." He gestured to her. "I get it."

"How'd you get through it?" She asked, which shocked him a little.

He took a second to think. "Remove every part of them out of your life." He explained. She looked at him with confusion, "for example, did he ever buy you anything?"

She thought of the necklace that was hanging around her neck, the dress in her closet, the empty bags of candy in her trash can and she nodded.

"Throw it all out. Or donate it or give it back to him." He shrugged. "Whatever you can do to not hold on to him."

She nodded softly and looked down at the food.

"You know what else helps?" He raised his eyebrows and she glanced up expectantly. "Getting out of your room. I know you don't want to hear that, but it's true."

She swallowed the lump that was taking over her throat and looked to the side.

"And eating." He smiled a little. "So eat up or else your stomach won't be able to handle the alcohol." He stood and brushed his hands off.

"The alcohol?" She asked quietly.

"Yeah, I'm taking you out." He said seriously as he made his way to her door. "You need to forget about all this and you look like you could use a drink."

Her mouth was slacked open, unable to think of an excuse. But she knew what Josh was doing. He was just trying to get with her. And in her drunken state, would she be able to realize what a horrible idea that would be?

"Alright?" He raised his eyebrows. "I'll be downstairs whenever you're ready."

- - -

Audrey brought her plate downstairs and set it in the sink after having eaten at least a little bit of it.

Josh was talking to her parents explaining something and assuring them that she'd be okay.

"Twelve o'clock." Josh assured and gave them a double thumbs up. "Got it." He turned his attention to Audrey and gave her a once over. "Ready?"

She nodded hesitantly and followed him outside, into his truck. She carefully fastened her seatbelt and as they pulled away from her house, she realized what a horrible idea it was.

But there was no going back. She'd just order something nonalcoholic and give into Josh for a little so he didn't get angry, then ask him to take her home.

And it was already close to eleven, meaning the curfew her parents gave was nearing.

At the bar—which was sadly the same bar that Rafe and Audrey went to with Gabby and her boyfriend—she ordered a Shirley temple and he quickly told the bartender no and that they wanted two shots of vodka instead.