Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 92519 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 463(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92519 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 463(@200wpm)___ 370(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
Tomorrow she’d be married to a man she didn’t know or like.
“Come on then,” Petal said, grabbing her hands and pulling her onto the dance floor. She didn’t fight her best friend. There was no point in doing so.
Petal kept hold of her hand and they swayed their hips from side to side. Rosalie wanted to let go, to allow the music to take her worries away, but now that they were hours away from the wedding, she was more scared than ever.
The song quickly changed into a slow number and Petal pulled her in close, holding her.
“It’s going to be okay. You’ll have me and you’ll never get rid of me. I’ll be yours for life.”
She chuckled. “You promise?”
“Always. None of them are going to scare me away, and if they start on you, I’ll come at them with my crowbar.” She held onto her friend.
“I’ve got you, Rosalie, and anytime you need, we can jump in my car and drive away.”
“I love you, Petal.”
“I love you too, Rose.”
The song kept playing and she closed her eyes, wishing time would stand still. Petal ran her hand up and down her back, soothing her.
“Oh, shit,” Petal said.
Rosalie tensed up, pulling away and looking at her friend. Petal’s gaze went past her shoulder. Glancing in that direction, she saw the problem. Colt and several of his buddies had entered the bar. Great, she couldn’t even have a hen night without them.
Petal didn’t let her go as they made their way over to the bar. Kim didn’t look impressed.
“Mom, are you okay?” Rosalie asked.
“I’m fine, sweetheart.” Her hand shook as she lifted her orange juice to her lips.
“This is your idea of a hen party?” Rosalie asked, turning to Kim.
“I had no idea they were going to be here. I swear it.”
She doubted that.
“Hey, I think it’s time for us to enjoy those shots, don’t you?” Petal asked.
Rosalie wanted to scream but instead she grabbed the shot glass and downed the alcohol quickly. It burned and was disgusting. She never drank. Petal rarely did, but she was better at it than her.
“We’ll have to go slow,” Petal said.
“Fuck slow.” She smacked the bar and asked for another shot. The bartender was more than happy to oblige.
She downed her second shot and instantly felt the warmth within her body.
“I need to use the bathroom,” she said.
Pulling away from Petal, she liked the hum the alcohol had given her. She also saw the appeal of getting completely hammered. There was stress in her mind, but it was like it had numbed just a little.
Stepping into the bathroom, she ignored the giggling women and sat down in one of the stalls. She didn’t need to go, she just had to get away from the party. It was too much for her.
After several seconds passed, or they might have been minutes, she was able to think and breathe a little more clearly. She stepped out of the stall and came to a stop when she saw one of Kim’s friends. Kim had brought a few ladies from the club. Rosalie didn’t know who they were and she didn’t care. No names were spoken.
“So you’re the one that’s going to marry Colt,” she said.
She stepped over to the sinks. She might not have done anything but she had no idea if other women had soiled their hands and touched things. She washed her hands and turned toward the woman who was now a little too close. What was it with these people? Did they not believe in personal space?
“Colt will never want you,” she said. “He’s mine and I’m going to make sure to satisfy him, do you understand me? At the club the dogs will be treated better than you.”
“I have no idea who you are, and to be honest, I don’t care. You want Colt, marry him. Stand up in the church tomorrow and dispute it. I don’t care, but don’t threaten me.”
There was a lot she could take, but another woman trying to get all up in her space was not happening. Not tonight. She stepped out of the bathroom and made her way over to the bar. Colt was there, next to Petal, who glared at him. Squaring her shoulders, she walked over to her friend, giving Colt her back.
“Another shot?” Petal asked.
“Yeah, would love one.”
With her back to Colt, she watched the woman who threatened her come out of the bathroom.
“Do you think you should be drinking?” Colt asked.
She tensed up. “This is a hen do. You don’t exist, so why don’t you back off?” She was done talking to him and grabbed Petal’s arm, dragging her back onto the dance floor.
Her mother danced with Kim and she was pleased to see her having such a good time. She didn’t want her mother to be upset or worried. With how tense she got at the MC turning up, she had to wonder how she was going to handle tomorrow.