Page 112 of The Way I Hate Him
Joe gets to work, mixing a drink, and I pull up my text thread with Maggie.
Hattie:I’m about to get drunk.
What I wouldn’t give to have her here with me. She’s my rock. Unfortunately, she has her life together, something I’m struggling with.
Joe hands me a concoction and winks at me before heading to the other side of the bar to serve someone else. As I take a sip, Maggie texts me back.
Ooof, that’s strong, just the way I need it.
Maggie:Alone?
Hattie:Yup. Just me and my phone.
Maggie:Cassidy’s birthday?
Hattie:Yeah. I had to pick out a puzzle she might like and her favorite pie. I dropped them off at my apartment and then came straight to the bar.
Maggie:Understandable. Is there any other reason you’re drinking . . .
Hattie:If you’re referring to Hayes, the answer is no.
Maggie:Good. He doesn’t deserve your drunkenness.
Hattie:He doesn’t! He deserves nothing. Even though he said this one thing to me today that made me want to simultaneously punch him in the esophagus and pull down his pants to suck his dick.
Maggie:That’s quite a spectrum. What was it?
Hattie:Just how much he wants me but won’t have me because of Ryland. Anyway, I don’t want to talk about him. I just want to drink.
I tip back my drink and quickly gulp it down. Yup, it’s going to be one of those nights. I flag down Joe with a wave and point at my empty glass. His eyes read shock, but he nods, letting me know he’ll fill me right up.
Maggie:What are you drinking?
Hattie:Can’t be sure, but it’s strong.
Maggie:Please don’t drink too much that you end up sifting through a dumpster looking for food.
Hattie:That happened one time, Maggie. And I thought the dumpster was a fridge, so you can’t blame me.
Maggie:Yes . . . yes, I can. I’ve never seen anything so vile in my life. You smelled like rotten cheese curd when you finally resurrected.
Hattie:Some people like that smell.
Maggie:No one likes that smell.
Joe brings me another drink, and I thank him before taking another large sip. He then returns and places a bowl of pretzels before me. Smart man. I pick one up and take a bite as I text Maggie back.
Hattie:Did you know there are jobs where you can be practically naked and dry-hump famous people?
Maggie:Are you talking about strip clubs? Because I know what those are.
Hattie:No. That girl, Odette, rode Hayes hard today. I got to watch him palm her huge boob.
Maggie:Nooooooo, you did?
Hattie:Yup! A big old breast, right in his hand. But it’s okay. She was wearing nipple pasties.
Maggie:That was the fragrance commercial? Did they happen to say when that’s coming out? I’d be interested in viewing it.
