Page 46 of The Starlet

What the fuck does that mean anyway? Normally, when a woman says she’s fine, she’s anything but.

I finish my second drink and order a third, asking for a double. If she won’t talk to me, at least I can numb the pain with alcohol.

“Dude, you need to slow down. Getting drunk isn’t going to help anything.”

I ignore him and tip my next one back. The alcohol burns as it goes down, leaving a warmth in its trail all the way down into my stomach.How long has it been since I’ve had this much to drink?

Jasmine. The night of Jasmine’s death, I did this, and Hunter was with me the entire time, making sure I was safe.

I turn my head to look into his eyes, and he’s frightened. They’re wide, taking everything in. He can see the pain I’m in—the hurt, the loss, the loneliness. He claps his hand on my back, pulling my head toward his.

“It’s going to be fine. She’ll come around, man. The worst thing you can do is something stupid.”

He sits straight again and swallows the rest of his drink.

My mouth feels like it has cotton in it. I should switch to water, but I don’t want to lose the warm, fuzzy feeling in my head. “I told her I love her, and she said it back.”

“Damn. It’s serious, huh?”

I nod, staring at the shelf straight ahead filled with liquor. “Hunter, will you drive me over? I need to see her. I need her to know how much she means to me.”

“Dude, I don’t think that’s a good idea. She said she needed time, right? Two days isn’t that long. Maybe give her a few more days.”

I stand, tossing some cash on the table, and sway in my spot. “Take me, or I’ll drive myself.”

I wouldn’t. I’d call for a ride, but he doesn’t know that. The sheer look of panic on his face tells me he’ll drive me. In the dim light, I can see the blood drain from his face as his eyebrows disappear under his shaggy hair.

He sighs and nods.Victory!“What’s her address?” He takes his keys out of his pocket.

* * *

“Holy shit,I can’t believe I’m outside Elena Conners’ house.” He ducks his head to look at her house through the passenger window. I push the door open and climb out, losing my balance a little as I go. “Shit,” he mutters and scrambles out of the car.

He helps me walk up her walkway and rings the doorbell. I toss my arm over his shoulder and smile at the door that I know holds my beautiful princess captive.I must be a lot drunker than I thought. She is a princess though—my princess.

She pulls the door open and sees Hunter first. As she swings it wider, her gaze crashes with mine. Her mouth drops open, and her eyes open so wide I think they will pop out.

“Hi, Elena, I’m Hunter. I’m Bradley’s friend. He made me drive him over here tonight.”

She bites her lip and looks past us. I turn to look out at the street, trying to figure out what she’s looking at. I look at her again and really take in at her face. She’s been crying. Her eyes are puffy, her nose is red, and she sniffles.

I pull my arm off Hunter and cup her face, taking a step into her personal space.

“My beautiful princess, what’s wrong? Why are you crying?”

She places her hands over mine and closes her eyes. She’s silent, and I want nothing more than to take her pain away. Elena should have nothing but happiness in her life. If I could, I’d make sure of that, every damn day.

She pulls back out of my grasp, and my hands fall to my side. “Please, don’t push me away, baby. I need you. I’m no good without you.”

She swallows and clears her throat. “Get him in here, will you, Hunter? I don’t need the neighbors seeing him drunk on my doorstep.”

This is a start; she’s not slamming the door in my face. I walk in without the aid of Hunter as he trails behind, closing the door.

“Can I get you something to drink?” she calls over her shoulder. “Not you, Brad. You get water.”

I smirk and reach out for her hand, stopping her mid-stride. “Elena, please, tell me what I did.”

She slides her fingers out of mine and turns to look at Hunter, pretending I’m not even there. That pisses me off. I narrow my eyes at her.