The sun peeked its head through the clouds, sending a bright beam of light directly through my bedroom window.
"Fucking sun," I groaned, feeling like death warmed over.
It had been years since I drank straight liquor. A rum and Coke? Sure. Wine? Hell yes. But straight whiskey from the bottle? That was something I'd attempted in high school and quickly given up right after. I was not a fan of hangovers.
The problem was I didn't have an off button. I just kept going. Like the damn Energizer Bunny.
Binge-watching Netflix? Sleep in till noon? Nope. I was a get-up-at-the-crack-of-dawn-and-get-shit-done kind of girl. I didn't have time to nurse hangovers and spend hours on the couch.
There were people depending on me.
Well, most days.
Today, however, as I pulled myself out of bed, I realized I was in a completely empty house.
No guests.
No family.
No Jake.
Just me and a pounding headache.
And then the doorbell rang.
"Who the hell comes visiting at—" I checked my watch. Ten in the morning? I'd slept in until ten in the freaking morning?
I did my best to smooth out my hair and settle my queasy stomach before I got to the door. I then said a quick prayer, begging God for mercy.
If this could just be a salesman or something, I'd really appreciate it. Anyone, except my mother. Or a guest. Okay, thanks.
Pulling open the door, I felt a mixture of relief and shock as a young blonde who nearly mirrored me in every way stood at the threshold.
"Millie!" I screamed, reaching forward to pull her into a giant bear hug. "Oh my gosh, what are you doing here? And why are you ringing the doorbell? This is as much your house as mine!"
She pulled back, smiling. "No, it's yours now. Besides, I didn't want to barge in"—she looked me up and down, clearly judging my appearance—"and interrupt your busy morning."
I rolled my eyes, stepping aside so that she could drag in all the suitcases she had sitting behind her.
"It's a long story," I explained, taking my own judgmental appraisal of my appearance in the foyer mirror. "Good God, I look like hell."
"I hear there's a good reason for it."
Her face said it all. Sympathy, understanding, warmth.
"Jesus, who told you?"
"Mom," she confessed. "She called last night after getting a phone call from Mrs. Sutherland. Dottie was a mess. She felt terrible for what that boy had made her do."
"So, you're here for what? Reinforcements?"
"Obviously. After all, when you suffer a breakup, who better to pick you back up again than your sister? Mama thought she'd step back for once and let a professional handle this one."
I gave her a long once-over. She'd most likely flown an early morning flight or a red-eye to get here, and she looked like she'd just stepped off the runway rather than a stuffy plane.
Where had all this sophistication come from?
"I can't believe she called Mom," I said.
Millie followed me to the living room. The bottle of whiskey I'd plowed through was thankfully gone.
YOU ARE READING
The Choices I've Made (By the Bay #1)
RomanceTwelve years ago, he drove away with my heart in his hands. I've moved on since then. Or so I thought. Growing up in a small town, there weren't too many options when it came to friends. But, even in a sea of a million, I'd always choose Jake Jameso...
