Page 64 of Raze
Susie fills a glass—at least she’s not dumb enough to think I was only asking for a shot—and slides it over to me.
I need to drink and see if I can make myself forget about everything Vera said tonight. If I can’t forget, how am I going to look Dane in the eye again?
Then there’s the news about my mom. I have no memory of either of my parents. She could be making it up, but what she shared about me killing an ex-boyfriend had been true. Somehow, she or GE found out about that. If she got that right, does that mean she’s telling the truth about my mother?
I finish my drink in a couple gulps and flick the glass forward for more. Susie eyes me and then sets the entire bottle on the bar. “You’re paying for this. But I’m not keeping up with whatever self-destructive mood you’re in. Serve yourself.”
I grab the bottle and start pouring myself another. “Thanks.”
I finish the next glass and drop my head into the crook of my arm to take a long breath. I wonder if my mom is still alive. Or my dad. Does he have a gift too? Where is he? Does GE still have my mom?
Buzzing in my pocket startles me from my thoughts.Ken Dolldisplays on the screen of my phone. I’d tried texting him a couple of times to meet up, but it had always been a bad time. Now it’s my turn.
Or this could be just what I need.
“Hello?” I answer before I can talk myself out of it.
“Rebecca! I’m so glad you answered. Is this a good time?”
“Yeah. I’m free.”
“Great. Where are you now?”
“Right now?”
“Yes, I’ll come to you.”
“Oh. I’m at Porky’s bar in the city.”
There’s a pause on the other end. Does being at the bar break Rebecca’s character? “Are you with your friends? I thought you were free.”
Is that annoyance in his tone?
“No, I’m alone,” I reply, my voice tight.
“Oh, I see. I’m right around the corner from there, actually, so I’ll see you soon.”
Now I’m wondering if this was a good idea. He hangs up before waiting for me to respond, which means I’m now committed to the decision I made.
I can just leave if I’m not getting any worthwhile information.
With that reassurance in mind, I refill my glass. I’ll need to slow down now that he’s coming, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to stop. I still need the warm buzz to keep my thoughts from spiraling over everything Vera said.
Ken doll wasn’t lying when he said he was around the corner. I’vebarely had half a glass before he’s walking inside. He scans the room and finds me in the first pass, his smile lighting up his face when our eyes connect. He looks around me too, I guess to verify that no one else is around me, before he waves and strides to the seat next to mine.
“I know we’re meeting to talk about the internship, but if there’s something else you need to get off your chest, I can be quite the listener.” His eyes shine with mirth, like there’s something funny about what he said, but I have no idea what it could be. Maybe I’ve had too much to drink to catch on to dumb jokes.
“Nope. I’m good. Just wanted to go out for a drink,” I lie easily with a smile before taking another sip of my drink, as if to prove a point.
He chuckles and points to the large bottle of whiskey next to my glass. “All of that yours?”
Ah. That doesn’t really help my case. I set my glass down and laugh softly. “Okay, you got me. But please”–I wave at the bottle–“help yourself. Susie!” I shout, then point between my glass and Ken doll. She rolls her eyes and brings another glass over to me. “Thanks, Suze.”
“Whatever.” She looks Ken doll up and down and frowns when she glances back at me. Then she must decide she doesn’t care enough to say or ask anything and walks away again.
Ken grabs the bottle and the extra glass. “Is she a friend of yours?”
“No–oh!” I hold my hand up as he tops off my drink with a heavy pour that makes it splash. “Uh, thanks.”
