“Come on, Nor. I think it’s time to head out,” Charlie says, putting an arm around my waist and turning us toward the door. Amelia slaps some cash on the bar and gives Eamon a quick once over.
“She really would have kicked your ass, you know.” Tossing her straight blonde hair over her shoulder, she turns and walks away.
I really do have the best friends.
* * *
The alley is dark and cold, and it reeks of piss and garbage. I’m sprawled on the pavement, eyes shut tightly. My face hurts, and I can’t move my arms. Something’s pressing me down. No. Not again. I start struggling, determined to get out of this with as little damage as possible. I manage to roll to my back and will my eyes open only to discover three large forms towering over me.
“What do you think, Eamon? Keep her or toss her?”
I scream.
“Norah! Norah! Wake up!” I hear a voice yelling and feel my body being shaken. “Nor!” I bolt upright and find Charlie sitting next to me, her hazel eyes filled with concern.
“You were having a nightmare. Are you okay?” she asks while shoving a cup of coffee into my hands. Bless her.
“Ugh. I feel like I’ve been hit by a truck.” I groan, rubbing my forehead in an attempt to soothe the alcohol-induced ache.
“Well, considering you drank the equivalent of a keg of Guinness and downed a few shots of whiskey, youshouldbe feeling pretty awful.”
I cringe at the reminder. “What the hell was I thinking?”
“Methinks your pride and a pretty Irishman are to blame.” Charlie grinsat me.
“Well fuck. I was hoping that part wasn’t real. I’msuchan idiot. He probably thought I was crazy.” I sigh, then quickly add, “Not that it matters what he thinks.”
She gives me a curious look while twisting her brown hair into a topknot on the crown of her head.
Just then, a knock sounds at the door before it opens. Layla walks in with a bottle of aspirin and a brown paper bag that smells very much like a cheeseburger. These two girls know me so well. Nothing cures a hangover better than a steaming mug of coffee and a greasy cheeseburger.
“Good morning, sunshine. Or rather, almost afternoon. I heard you might need these today,” Layla says, setting everything down on the kitchen island.
“Why are you girls so good to me? You always know exactly what I need.”
I start to ease myself off of…the couch? Odd. My house is small, and my bedroom is just a few feet down the hallway.
“Why am I on the couch?”
“Oh, about that…” Charlie grimaces.
The bedroom door opens and out creeps Myra, her hair disheveled, in just a t-shirt and panties. My jaw hits the floor.
“Please tell me you’re alone inmybedroom…”
“Um…yes?” she says sheepishly.
“Who the hell is in there? It’s not that Neanderthal is it?” I rage at her.
“Neanderthal? What are you talking about?”
I quirk an eyebrow at her. “You know exactly who I’m talking about. That big blond jerk, Mac, from the pub last night. You brought him back to my house and took him to my bed?”
“Slow your roll, Nor. Sheesh.” Myra rolls her eyes. “I’m just messing with you. Amelia and I shared your room last night since we both couldn’t fit on the couch. You were too passed out to know the difference.”
Amelia walks out of my room, grinning like a Cheshire cat.
“You two are jerks.” I glare at them. “I’m only in this state because of you two tobegin with.”
