The Marriage Bargain - ENGLOT

Chapter 13: You're drunk

Cadence's POV:

As we arrived at the club, the atmosphere was lively and the music was pumping. It was the perfect place to celebrate my big news. Amaya and I ordered a round of shots, and we raised our glasses to toast my new role.

Teagan arrived with Quinn, and Amaya's face lit up when she saw her. "Hey, Teagan! It's so good to see you!"

Teagan smiled back, and I realized how young and beautiful she looks when she's relaxed, but not as beautiful as Emory. I shook those thoughts off my head, annoyed at how Emory seems to always slip into my mind.

"Hey Quinn! I didn't know you were coming!" I shouted over the music, hugging Quinn briefly and smiling at Teagan. "Hey Teagan."

"Hi Cadence, Congratulations." Teagan replied, moving towards Amaya and giving her a soft hug.

"Yeah well, I never miss out on getting drunk." Quinn smirked, winking at me. I chuckled in response, already knowing it's the truth.

We danced the night away, and I felt like nothing could bring me down. I was living in the moment.

"Let's get more shots!!" Amaya exclaimed, practically dragging us to the bar.

As we clinked our shot glasses together, Quinn raised hers. "Here's to Cadence and her new role in the movie! You're gonna kill it!"

We threw back our shots and cheers'd again, laughing and enjoying each other's company. My mind however, as much as I try to forget, keeps circling back to how Emory's doing right now. Is she home safe? Is she wondering where I am? I didn't want to ruin the night, though, so I kept drinking to take my mind off it. Off her.

As the music pumped and the drinks flowed, I felt myself getting more and more tipsy. I didn't care, though - I just wanted to forget about my problems for a little while. The alcohol is a welcome distraction from the messiness of my heart.

As the night went on, Amaya noticed that I was getting more and more drunk. She saw me clutching my glass too tightly, my movements becoming a bit unsteady. she leaned over and whispered in my ear, "Hey, are you doing okay? Maybe it's time to take a break from the drinks."

I waved her off. "I'm fine, Amaya. I'm just celebrating, let me have some fun."

"Okay well maybe you should slow down a bit," Amaya said empathetically, her voice barely audible over the pounding music.

I shook my head, trying to brush off her concern. "No need, Amaya. Just trying to have a good time," I replied, trying to convince both her and myself that I was okay.

But Amaya wasn't easily fooled. She knew me better than that. "Cadence, you've had enough," she insisted, her voice firm but caring. "Your new role is amazing, and you should be celebrating, but getting drunk won't make whatever you're dealing with go away. It'll only make them worse."

I sighed and handed her my glass. "Okay fine! Fine! You can have it." I said, raising my hands up in surrender and stumbling a bit.

"Okay woah! Maybe it's time to go home?" Quinn asked, moving forward to stop me from falling. I leaned back into her and closed my eyes. My head pounding and my ears drumming.

"Here." I heard Teagan said. I opened one eye and saw her pushing a bottle of water into my hands. I grabbed it and gave it to Quinn to open.

"Okay Cadie, drink this all then we'll take you home." Quinn said, handing me the opened water bottle.

"Whaaat? I dooon't wanna gooo home. Let'ss gooo to anooother baarrr." I slurred, pushing the bottle away.

"Come on Cadence, don't start now. Drink this first." Amaya said, standing in front of me and pushing the bottle up to my lips so I was forced to take sips. Once I drank half of it, Amaya took the bottle away and grabbed one of my arms, pulling it over her shoulders while Quinn did the same on my other side. Teagan grabbed all our bags and went to walk forward to open the exit door.