𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭 | 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝟎𝟐

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟎𝟏

BREE

The club is the last place where I should be right now.

Tonight took a bad turn on a good day. I should’ve taken the sign when Jay ignored my calls and texts while I was out with Rose.

Jay as in my ex-boyfriend now since I just caught him cheating on me.

I went to his apartment to surprise him with a stay-at-home date and caught him making out with a beautiful girl.

He didn’t even notice I was there. None of them did. He was so into it. The moment the bag of drinks fell out of my hand was when I got their attention.

He didn’t even give me any excuses. He was mad that I was there.

He yelled. So loudly. And kicked me out.

That was two hours ago.

I drove around the neighborhood for 2 hours before coming to this club.

The pounding music hits my ears as soon as I step in.

I don’t like clubs or any bars. I hate going to them, hate the sensation of someone’s wrong gaze on me. A lot of people call me dramatic or pick me for it but I usually ignore them. I only ever came to club with my friends during college and even then me and Rose- my best friend- would leave early to get take out and binge watch movies.

I should call her.

But she’d get worried and I don’t want that.

I drag myself towards the bar and order a shot of tequila.

“Here you go, miss.” the bartender says as he passes me my shot.

I mutter a “thanks,” before I pick up the glass.

I don’t take shots. My brother does- the one who is approachable.

There’s a first time for everything.

I take the shot and wince at the hot and bitter sensation in my throat.

That was horrible.

But I still get another shot.

Maybe if I drink enough, I’ll be numb enough to not care about anything.

I take two more shots till my head starts pounding and still order another one.

As the bartender passes me my fourth shot, I sense a presence beside me.

From the corner of my eye, I catch an older man- maybe a few years older than me- sit beside me and watch as I chug down my drink. He smirks and licks his lips.

I internally cringe at his act.

He waits till I order another drink then he decides to get up from his seat and get closer to me. I make sure not to look at him and ignore him all the way as I chug down another drink.

My head pounds at the last shot, nausea rising in my throat as I put down the glass.

“Here, let me pay for your next drink-”

“No, thank you.” I cut him off, without sparing a glance at him.

Apparently he doesn’t take the rejection and starts to push, “come on, sweetie. Let’s have a little fun.”

He reaches out his hand to touch my face but I slap his hand away, glaring at him, “I said, no.” I grit out.

I get off my stool, grabbing my purse and turn around to leave but a hand grips my elbow, harshly turning me around.