Page 68 of Meant to Be

JOSIE

“For fuck’s sake,” I mumble, inching the volume of my speaker up.

I’ve been working out for the past thirty minutes and keep being interrupted by a deafening bass. It sounded far enough to be out of town, but close enough to still be heard from my place.

After another ten minutes of my muscles groaning in complaint, I retire to the shower and dress quickly afterwards. I’ve barely got my shirt over my head when my front door bangs open obnoxiously.

“Hey, bitch,” Belle greets me, wandering in as if she owns the place. She collapses onto the lounge, propping her feet on the coffee table. “There’s a party.”

“I can hear that.”

“We’re going.”

I quirk an eyebrow as I release my hair from its clip. “We are?”

“Yeah.”

“Who’s party?”

Belle shrugs. “Cameron someone.”

“Oh, I know Cameron,” I say. “He’s my brother’s friend.”

“Great, he won’t mind you gatecrashing, then.”

“I suppose not.” I eye her outfit of worn denim shorts and a baggy t-shirt. “Are you wearing that?”

She scoffs. “Of course not, but I didn’t want to waste my time getting ready if I couldn’t convince you to go.”

“What else would I do instead?” I question, moving my arms around the room. “The night life in this town is like watching paint dry.”

“My thoughts exactly. Do you have something I can wear?”

I gesture to my closet that’s against the wall, close to the bed. The space is so small you can basically see everything the moment you step through the front door.

“Help yourself. Pick me something while you’re there.”

“Happily.” She beams.

Belle chooses possibly the most conservative dress I own. A white, lacey off-the-shoulder dress. For me, she chooses a daring emerald green dress that outlines every curve I have to offer, and then some. We dance around the room and drink wine while we get ready.

A part of me doesn’t want to leave because we are having so much fun here. I haven’t had a girlfriend like this since Elise. A harrowing stab of pain splinters through me each time I think her name. Last night, I sat by her grave for three hours, watching the moon glitter across the pale gravestones. I’ve been going out there every few nights. I will ever forgive myself for missing her funeral.

“Nick is going to shit himself when he sees you.” Belle grins. “And Harley, for that matter.”

“I don’t care what Harley thinks.”

“Right.”

Running my fingers through my hair, I study my reflection, forcing all my dark and heavy thoughts from my mind. Despite the heat, I’ve curled my hair in loose, beachy waves. The dress is far too upscale for a town like this. I bought it after seeing a celebrity wear it in a high-end fashion magazine. It had cost me weeks’ worth of my salary to afford it. It was one of the many items I stashed in my car, fearing Elliot might cut it up, like he did to one of my other favourite dresses when I “disrespected” him.

After pouring another glass, I fumble for my phone and swipe out of the hundreds of unread notifications sitting on my screen. I lazily dial my brother’s number.

“Sister,” he greets. “What a lovely surprise.”

“Hello, brother,” I say in a sing-song voice.

“You sound drunk.”