Page 36 of One Good Crash

Oh sure, music was still wafting through the house, but this music was a lot quieter, coming from some unseen source, probably a central sound system or something.

I didn't know, and I didn't care. AllIcared about was finding some way out of this mess.

I had to face facts. He definitely wasn't coming back, which meant that I had to leave. Cripes, I should've left hours ago.

Idiot.Meaningmeof course.

As I drifted from room to room, trying to get lost in the small pockets of people who remained, I tried to think.

I had no money, no phone, and I didn't even know where I was.

Oh yeah. I was an idiot, alright.

I glanced around, searching for a friendly face – someone who might loan me their cellphone or give me a ride. I didn't know why I bothered. I had no one to call and nowhere to go – which, of course, was how I'd ended up here in the first place.

I was so lost in my worries that I didn't notice someone creeping up behind me until I felt a hard tap on my shoulder.

I whirled to look and wanted to scream in frustration. It washer, the redhead. I tried not to cringe.Again?

She said, "He's not coming back, you know."

Oh yeah. I knew.

She smiled. "Wanna know whatIthink?"

I wassotired of that question. "No."

"I think he met someone else."

I stiffened, but made no reply.

Unfortunately, she was on a roll. "A guy like Jax? He's hit on wherever he goes. You think you're the first girl to waltz in and think you're something special?" She laughed. "You're so cute."

I gave her a tight smile. "Thanks."

She blinked. "What?"

"You called me cute."

"Yeah, but I didn't mean it."

I forced a shrug. "Oh well. Too late now."

I didn't even know why I was tweaking her. It wouldn’t solve any of my problems. If anything, it would make them worse.

Silently, I looked toward the main entrance, wondering if I should just slink away now, before things got really ugly.

I envisioned myself walking out through the front door and then down the front steps. Unfortunately, that's where the vision ended. I didn't even know if I'd be turning right or left.

Plus, it wasverylate, past midnight for sure.What on Earth was I supposed to do?

Damn it.Ishould'vecalled Allie. If only I'd called her right away, she might've been halfway here by now.

The redhead gave a little laugh. "If you're waiting for him to walk through that door, you'll be waiting a long time."

I'dalreadybeen waiting a long time.Stupid me.I wanted to say something clever, but nothing came to mind. My only response was a tight shrug.

Into my silence she said, "Youdoknow, he's probably fucking someone else by now."