The Tangled Rose (Book One in the Tangled Series) (Editing)

Chapter 22

I don't know how I got here or even why I am here... okay that is a lie I know how I got here cuz I called a cab. I am not even much of a drinker but I just don't want to feel right now and the other option is more painful. Glancing up from my 4th empty spiced rum and coke, I look at the bartender. She looks to be in her mid-40s and still quite beautiful. Waving my hand she comes over to me.

"Can I get you another?" She asks pointing to my glass but I shake my head. Maybe I should try something stronger.

"What would you recommend to get over a breakup and life?" She took a second to think about it before grabbing a couple of shot glasses and placing them in front of me before pouring Jack Daniels into them.

Nodding towards them she says, "They won't get rid of it but they will make you forget about it for a while." Looking down at the shots I take one into my hand and throw it down my throat. Coughing I practically claw at my throat for a moment before it slightly settles and she has a smirk on her face.

About 6 more shots after that, my vision is really blurry when suddenly someone's hand is placed on my shoulder. Turning around I narrow my eyes trying to make out who it is and I smile realizing its Eric with a concerned look on his face.

"Comin joins me fer a shots," I mutter out and he lifts me to my feet. Making me all dizzy and cross my legs. "Oh, I gotta pee."

"Thank you for calling me, Linda," Eric says to the bartender and she nods with a smile before Eric looks back down at me. "Do you think you can hold it till we get out of here." For a moment I look at him horrified. Oh God, I don't feel good! "What is it, Rose?"

"Take her outside I don't want her throwing up in my bar!" Linda says pointing to the door. Eric lifts me up into his arms wrapping my arms slowly around his neck.

Looking around things are blurry as Eric sets me in a car that seems to be his but things aren't looking too good from my point of view right now. It seems like only seconds later he pulls to a stop and pulls me out of the car carrying me once again. I bury my face in his chest as tears start to come trying to pull me beneath. I thought that drinking would help this feeling go away. Looking up at Eric he kisses my forehead and my eyes fall closed. Opening a door we get inside of his apartment and his sent fills my nose making me instantly comfortable.

"Can you walk on your own?" He asks and I nod in return so he sets me down in the living room/dining room. The moment I stand on my own two feet once again I start to feel sick to my stomach and I know this feeling.

Looking up at Eric with desperation the only word that slips from my mouth is, "bathroom". Hurriedly he points to his bedroom. I try to rush as fast as I can and this sucks cuz I also gotta pee. Pushing past the door to the bathroom that's in his bedroom I go to the bathroom real quick but I only pull my underwear back up. It is so hot in here my body is burning up. After flushing the toilet my body falls to the floor as I am hunching over the toilet holding myself up by my arms on the toilet seat. Ugh I hate throwing up I don't know why but I get so scared... but I'm not quite sure that is why tears are on my cheeks right now. Suddenly there is a knock on the door that scares the crap out of me.

"Are you okay in there?" Eric's voice comes through the door. For some reason, more tears fall down my cheeks.

"Eric..." the words barely come out of my mouth. I grip my other arm tightly. What am I doing?

"Can I come in?" He asks gently and the only thing that comes out of me is, "Please." The doorknob turns as Eric steps into the bathroom and gets down on his knees beside me. Oh God not right now not in front of him. My stomach turns and it hurts so bad. Hunching over the toilet I throw up about 3 times and each time it seems to hurt more but Eric is right there next to me holding my hair back ready with a paper towel for when I am done.

Eric's POV

Rose reaches for the paper towel in my hand sitting up so I let go of her hair as she sits up and she is still so beautiful. Her makeup is smeared and her hair is tousled down the sides of her face partially covering it. Leaning forward I move the strand out of her face and she is crying. I know she is in so much pain right now.

"Talk to me little Rose. I am right here." I say wiping the tears from her face but as I pull my hand away she grabs it. I feel like she is trying to tell me something.

"It hurts so bad... not just Andre but everything. I am so scared of disappointing the people I have left. Especially you Eric." She says looking deep into my eyes while holding onto my hand tighter.

Another tear falls down her face. "Rose you haven't disappointed me and you never will."

"I don't even know what I was thinking. I just wanted my pain to go away." Her words slightly slur together and I can tell she is still a little drunk but those words that come out of her mouth hit close to my heart. I know what she is feeling right now. I know what it's like to want to feel nothing because feeling everything is so painful. I bring her hand up to my lips kissing it gently.

"How is your stomach feeling now?" I ask.

"It's better. But I starting to get cold," she says wrapping her slender arms around herself.

Standing up I reach my hand out to help her up. As she stands I realize she isn't wearing pants. Her legs are wobbly so I wrap my arms around her waist helping her walk to my bed. Setting her down on the bed, I say, "Why don't you get some rest. I'll be on the couch in the living room." I don't want her to wake up thinking I did something to her. Curling up into my bed I lay the blanket over her before walking to the door.

"Hey, Eric..."I turn to look at her. " I will be okay." she coos softly before her eyes fall shut.