Getting Schooled (The Wright Brothers #1)(20)

Logic said that a bottle of wine would easily solve my problem, but I wasn’t interested in dealing with the hangover after. Instead, I pulled myself out of bed and showered until the water ran cold, and I had to get out.

2:42.

I pulled an oversized tee-shirt over my head and made my way into the kitchen, searching for something that would spark an appetite. Almond milk, wheat bread, special K, tomatoes, rice crackers, apples, dried lentils, chicken breast… I pushed out a heavy sigh.

Nobody wanted any of that shit.

I let the refrigerator swing closed, and then just stood there, looking… crazy. Another heavy sigh, and I made my way into the living room, grabbing the remote before I flopped down on the couch. I’d just turned the TV on when my doorbell rang, and I debated about whether or not I planned to answer. It sounded again, with a little more urgency, and I drug myself up from the couch to get it.

The same delivery guy from a few weeks ago stood on my doorstep, holding what I knew were Thai spicy wings, even through the closed box. That sweet, piquant aroma drifted up to my nose, making my stomach rumble with hunger. I didn’t even know the circumstances – I just thanked God for provision, and signed the little slip confirming I’d gotten them. He waved me off when I said I had to grab my wallet, telling me the bill was already paid.

I lit into that box before the door was even closed, licking sticky red-brown sauce from my fingers as I kicked it shut. I stood there in my foyer eating, and was through half of the set of ten wings when I figured I should probably see which one of my love ones had rescued me.

My cell phone was off, and had been all morning. I hadn’t planned to turn it on at all today, but it probably wasn’t the best idea in the world to be completely unavailable. As soon as it powered on, it began pinging and vibrating, informing me of social media notifications and new texts.

There were a couple from my mother, which I immediately returned, because I didn’t want her worrying about me. Same with Devyn, who was at work now, but had sent me a picture of herself with a box of wings, captioned “Twin with me boo! I know Auntie makes you keep all that health-nut stuff in the house, but I had a feeling you might need something a little different today. Let me know if you need me. hugs”

I smiled. Of course my bestie had thought to take care of me. I sent her a message back as well, thanking her for the wings and assuring her that I was fine, even if it wasn’t completely true. She didn’t get off from her shift at the hospital until two in the morning and I didn’t want her worrying about me either.

The last message surprised me.

“Dani Renee at Refill tonight… you wanna go? – Grayson”

Hmm.

I still hadn’t said anything about him being at the library and not bothering to try to see me, because we hadn’t been in touch. He’d been busy doing whatever the hell he was doing, and I was busy trying not to have an emotional breakdown. But really, I wasn’t even interested anymore. Once I was past my funk, I would make it official, but we were so far past expiration date that our milk was turning to yogurt.

“No, sorry. Not in the mood.”

“No surprise there. – Grayson.”

I tilted my head to the side, staring at my phone, because what the whole entire fuck? No “hey, what’s wrong?” or “do you need anything?”, just a smart ass remark. Even Jason’s rude ass had the decency to ask what was going on with me when he could tell I wasn’t myself, but not the guy that was supposed to be my boyfriend?

I dropped the phone in my lap, disgusted, and picked up the rest of my wings. A few minutes later, I went and opened that wine, pouring half down the drain to make sure I didn’t drink it. Back at the couch, I realized just how intuitive that was. I turned the bottle back, and didn’t let it down until half of what was left was gone.

I finished my wings, finished my wine, and about an hour later, I was passed out sleep again in front of the TV.

- & -

I woke up with a jolt.

My mouth was dry, and the tiniest hint of a headache was needling into my brain until I sat up, and life began to flow back into my limbs. I felt groggy, but through the fog, I realized that Dani Renee, a pretty neo-soul singer known for her haunting voice and red locs, was on my TV. She was giving an interview, but as I watched, it cut to a clip from one of her shows. Her distinctive voice sliced right through my morose attitude, hitting me in the gut, and I knew right then that yeah… I was going to Refill tonight.

Fuck Grayson.

I texted mama and Devyn where I would be, and then turned the TV off and hooked my phone to my sound system, blasting Dani’s CD as I took another shower. Summer was cooling into fall, so I had a perfect excuse to wear the cute combat boots I’d purchased on sale back in June, paired with a short, flowy pink long-sleeved dress that hung off my shoulders.

My phone chimed, and I checked it, noticing a message from Olivia, asking if I was going to Refill tonight. I already knew she was, because she always was, so I didn’t even bother responding. I’d see her when I got there tonight.

I pulled my braids back from my face and secured them with a clip, then brought some of them forward over one shoulder. I put on the biggest hoop earrings I had, plus some bracelets and the engraved nameplate necklace I never left home without. Some bb cream, liner, mascara, and a little lipstick, and I… still felt like shit.

I’d slept for damn near five hours after my wings and wine, so it was already nine at night before I left my house. I climbed into my little purple Audi and made my way across town, fighting the Friday night crowds to find a place to park.