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Her brow furrowed as she emptied out all the bags, spreading a mass array of chips, dip, cheese, frozen pizzas, crackers, ice cream, and chocolate bars all over my table. “If by okay you mean why do I plan to eat my feelings and drink away my sorrows, then nope.” She popped the p with pursed lips.
I retrieved two pint glasses from the cabinet and filled them with ice. We needed drinks, stat. “What’s going on?”
As I perused the bottles of liquor, trying to decide on what our first cocktail of the night should be, Maureen snatched the vodka and shoved it into my hands. “I need a Bailey special.”
Oh, fuck. She really was upset. The last time we drank dirty martinis was senior year after she walked in on her mom fucking her accountant. Her mom swore her to secrecy. The last thing Sheriff Gray needed was another reminder that he wasn’t good enough for his wife. She came from old money and despite their early connection, Mrs. Gray quickly grew tired of a Sheriff’s salary.
I grabbed two martini glasses and my shaker, pushing the pint glasses to the side. “Coming right up. Now start talking.”
She plopped down in a chair and pulled out a bag of weed and rolling papers. “Well, my dad found out about one of my mom’s side pieces and she thinks I told him. What a fucking joke. So now she’s refusing to pay my tuition for school next year.”
My mouth dropped open. “Oh, shit, Maur. What the fuck is wrong with her? You’ve been keeping her dirty secrets for years. Why would she think you’d spill now.”
She shrugged as she pinched some of the weed and sprinkled it inside a rolling paper. “She’s on opiates half the time so who the fuck knows? I think she was just looking for an excuse to stop me from going. She’s miserable and wants everyone else to be too.”
Fuck. Maureen has dreamed about getting away from here since we were kids. “I’m so sorry… Maybe she’ll cool off in a couple of days. How did your dad react?”
She licked the paper before rolling and twisting it between her fingers. “How he always does. Work. He’s been sleeping at the station for two days. It’s that or he’ll turn into a raging alcoholic again. You know how hard he’s worked to stay sober.”
My heart ached for her. I threw my arms around her shoulders. “Fuck. I’m sorry.”
“You and me both. I guess this means I have to get a job now. I should be able to save up enough money by the time I’m thirty.” She groaned as she lit up the joint and took a long drag before passing it to me.
I shook my head as I coughed out smoke. “No. Fuck that. I’m giving you the money.”
Her eyes widened. “No, Bales. I’m not taking your money. I’ll figure it out.”
“Maur, I have more than I know what to do with. Please, let me do this for you. I know how much you want to go to school. Besides, I’m thinking of all the amazing clothes you’ll send me once you become a famous costume designer.” If she stayed here in Wickford Hollow, she’d end up in a loveless marriage just like her parents. The pool of men here was less than appealing.
Maureen groaned again. “I don’t know. Maybe you’re right, and she’ll cool off.”
I raised my martini. “Well, here’s hoping she does. But if not, I got your back. Either way, you’re going to that school.”
Her eyes welled with tears, but she quickly blinked them back. “Cheers, bitch. Here’s to a fun night with no drama.” She took a big sip of her drink. “I love you, Bales.”
“Right back at ya, bestie.” I winked as I mixed a fresh batch of martinis.
After piling an obnoxious amount of cheese onto a massive cutting board, we grabbed our drinks and headed into the living room.
“So, what’s going on at the house of whips and chains?” Maureen cooed.
A little vodka dribbled down my chin as I laughed mid-sip. “No beating around the bush with you, huh?”
She cocked her head to the side. “I bet they’re beating your bush, bitch. I thought I noticed you walking funny.”
I threw a pillow at her as she burst into a fit of giggles. “I forgot how classy you are.” I laughed. “But yeah, everything is good. I’m still trying to get a read on Raine. He’s bringing things out of me I’ve never felt before.”
Maureen perked up. “Like kinky stuff?”
I nodded. “Kind of. It’s more about the control. I have this need to give it to him. All of it. He pushes my boundaries, and I like it.”
Maureen kicked her legs up on the couch. “Ooh, girl. That is what I’m talking about. I’ve been watching so much porn since you told me about them. Not gonna lie, I’m jealous of your sex life.”
I shrugged. “Trust me, it’s not always easy. I have four very strong personalities I’m trying to navigate through. After the sex, we still have to live together. It can be a challenge.”
Maureen rolled her eyes. “If half of them are as hot as I think they are, then I would happily juggle their mood swings. It’s the price you pay to cum hard.”
We burst into another fit of laughter. “You make a good point.” I poured the rest of my martini down my throat. “I think it’s margarita time.”
