CHAPTER 13

Alysha

The moment the words left my mouth I wished I could take them back.

But that’s what got you into this situation, a voice in my head sneered.

“Where’d Mac go?” Jade asked. Her voice made me jump, causing the water from the bucket to slosh over the side.

“Uh, he had to go,” I rushed to come up with an explanation. I couldn’t just tell Jade I’d wished him to leave me alone so now he was gone. Gone for how long, though?

I hadn’t meant to take my anger out on him. Jared was one of the things from my past I didn’t like to talk about. I just wanted to move on with my life but it seemed like my ex wasn’t going to make it that easy.

Why come back after all this time? It’s been over a year since we’d broken up and I hadn’t heard a peep from him. Why now?

The cynical part of me knew the most plausible reason was because Jared wanted money. It was always about money for him. The next big thing, he’d say.

Even if I wanted to give him any—which I didn’t—I didn’t have any to spare. All of my money went to school and to my savings for my shop. I was so close to finally being able to achieve my dream. I wasn’t about to lose it to his greed.

My issues with Jared still didn’t excuse my taking it out on Mac when he’d asked about him. Ever since Jared and I had broken up, Jade had been on me to find out what had really happened. I couldn’t blame her for bringing Mac in on it. She cared about me and it seemed like Mac did too.

Well, maybe not anymore, I thought sadly as I pushed the bucket of water back to the where it belonged in the back room. I sat down on an overturned milk crate and sighed.

Every problem I’ve had has been my own fault. Jade had said I’m naive and too trusting. I’d thought I wasn’t trusting enough.

As my relationship with Jared had disintegrated, I’d begun not to trust anything he said anymore. Which had crossed over into the rest of my life. I hated to admit it but I didn’t completely trust Jade anymore and she was my best friend!

I shouldn’t let one person ruin the rest of my relationships. It wasn’t fair to my potential boyfriends or to me. I wanted to be able to tell Jade everything again. Hell, I even wished I could jump into bed with Mac without worrying he was going to double-cross me.

Not like he would even consider it now. Jared had once again ruined any chance I had for a decent relationship. If I even had a chance with Mac to begin with.

Shaking my head, I stood up. If my genie didn’t like humans before he really must hate them now. Which was also my fault.

“Are you going to mope back here all day or what?” Jade poked her head around the corner of the stock room.

“No, I’m coming.” I followed Jade out of the back and into the front of the shop. We’d died down since Jared’s little appearance and then Mac’s disappearance. I would have given anything for the mindless rush of customers. I didn’t want to think anymore. Thinking about Jared and Mac just depressed me.

“Hey,” Jade elbowed me in the arm, “Cheer up. You have a sexy new guy. No reason to let that loser bring you down.”

“Right,” I said slowly, though I wasn’t sure I even had a new guy anymore.

During the rest of my shift, it was as if I were standing on a ledge; one slight breeze and I would plunge over the edge. I messed up so many orders I’d be surprised if anyone came back the next day. Even worse was the sympathetic looks Jade kept shooting me. If she patted me on the back one more time I swore I was going to scream.

Finally, five o’clock rolled around and I could go home. As I gathered my things, I tried not to focus on the fact that Mac hadn’t come back. Was he gone for good? I shook my head and decided not to worry about it. He’d come back when he felt like it.

Jade’s shift ended at the same time as mine and she walked out of the store with me. Before we could go our separate ways, she stopped me with a hand on my arm. Turning my attention to my friend, I hoped she wasn’t going to give me another pep talk.

“Want to go get a drink? Maybe it’ll help?” she cocked her head to the side causing her blue and purple hair to fan over her face. Just like me, she couldn’t wait to take her hair down from the tight pony tail we were forced to wear during work.

I opened my mouth to say no, I just wanted to go home and crawl into bed to wallow but I clamped my lips shut. Then changing my attitude, I gave her a half-hearted smile, “Sure. Sounds great. The usual place?”

“Say eight thirty?” Jade responded. The relief on her face made me feel bad for even considering saying no.

“Sounds good.” I nodded. We said our goodbye’s and went our separate ways.

When I arrived home I half expected Mac to be waiting for me, but the apartment was dark and there was no sign of anyone being there. Disheartened, I sighed, as I sat my bag and keys down and proceeded to take my shoes off.

Digging through my pile of clean clothes, I searched for something appropriate to wear to meet Jade. I didn’t drink often, but when I did it was usually with Jade. On more than on occasion I had wondered if she was a bad influence on me. Then I remembered, if it hadn’t been for her I’d be overworked more than I already was. She might be the more immature of the two of us, but at least she wasn’t always stressed out.

I pulled out an olive shift dress with cut-out shoulders. It was one of my favorite outfits and tonight I wanted to feel pretty. Laying it on the bed, I dug through my shoes until I found a pair of strappy sandals to match.

Glancing at the clock, I was relieved to see I still had over an hour until I needed to meet Jade. It wouldn’t take me that long to get ready even with taking a shower. I needed something to keep my mind from wandering to my missing genie.

So, for the first time in a long time. I cleaned my apartment.

First, the books. The pile had grown to epic proportions, so much so I didn’t even know where some of them had come from. I made a pile of school books and then one of library books that needed to go back. Then I started on my clothes.

Those were a whole different story.

I admitted, I was not the neatest of people and I had let my home get a bit out of control. There were clothes from last winter in the pile of clean clothes. Obviously, I hadn’t put anything up in a while. Pushing up imaginary sleeves, I began to work on putting the clean clothes in the closet. By the time that was done it was six forty-five and I had to hustle to get in the shower to meet Jade on time.

I didn’t have too much time to spend on my make, up so I applied mascara and some lip gloss. I dried my hair with a towel and ran some mousse through it so it wouldn’t frizz out. With my top half down, I quickly donned my dress and shoes, hopping on one foot to hook the strap as I rushed out the door.

Our usual place to meet for drinks was the only bar in town: Alinity Bar and Grill. Not the most creative of names, but they didn’t have any other competition so I could see why the owner didn’t bother making up a better name.

Located near the college, the bar was usually packed with students. Since it was a week day, I hoped it wouldn’t be as crowded but as I approached the establishment that wish unfulfilled. People filled the sidewalk waiting to get in, and the windows revealed the inside was just as full.

“Aly!” Jade called from the line, waving a hand above her head. She stood with a few other people that I recognized as students from Jade’s art classes.

As I approached them, I saw Gregory, Jade’s on again, off again beau, was with her too. Great. I tried not to roll my eyes and forced a smile on my face. “Hey guys.”

“Guys, this is Aly,” Jade gestured to me with one hand, the other wrapped around Gregory’s waist, “Aly, this is Nate and Will.” She pointed to each guy in turn.

Nate was about my height with red hair and glasses. He gave me a shy smile but didn’t look at me for long. Will on the other hand had an arrogant smirk and crooked teeth. With hair buzzed close to his head, he was definitely the less attractive of the two, but clearly the more outgoing.

“Hi,” I nodded and then crossed my arms over my chest as I shot Jade a questioning look.

Seeing my look, Jade quickly explained, “I told Gregory we were going out tonight and he just happened to be going with the guys. So, I thought what the hell let’s make a night of it.”

Jade’s explanation didn’t make me feel better. I thought it would just be the two of us. Now, I had to pretend to be interested in Gregory’s friends and that wasn’t something I was equipped to deal with tonight.

It took half an hour to get into the bar and then another ten to find a table. Nate held out my chair for me and then Will plopped down in the only vacant seat next to me forcing Nate to sit between Will and Gregory. We ordered our drinks and then settled in for the next few hours.

“So, you’re a business student,” Will began, and then when I nodded, snorted in disdain, “That sounds boring.”

Frowning, my eyes narrowed, “It’s not if that’s what you are into. I’d think finger painting would be boring.”

Will’s face scrunched up in anger. “Excuse me, I do not finger paint. I’m a sculptor. An artist. Much better than what you plan to be. An accountant?” he raised a condescending eye brow.

Before I could answer, our drinks arrived. I thanked the waitress before taking my mixed drink. I downed it pretty quickly, barely tasted the alcohol as it burned all the way down. Before she could take off, I asked the waitress for another.

“Don’t you think you should slow down?” Jade placed a hand on my arm with a frown.

Shaking my head, I said, “You wanted me to have fun. So, I’m having fun. And you,” I pointed a finger at Will, “for your information, I’m not going to be an accountant. I’m a baker and a damn good one.” I giggled the last bit, already feeling the effects of my drink.

Will shot a questioning look at Jade who shrugged. When the waitress brought me my next drink I felt eyes on my back. I twisted around in my seat and searched the room but didn’t see anyone staring at me. Shrugging it off, I started on my next drink this time a bit slower.

By the time we left the bar, I was stumbling over myself and Jade had to help me walk. We made it to my apartment somehow, but when we got there I leaned against the wall, my head heavy. I could hear Jade’s voice; she was talking to someone and I wondered who it could be, but my eye lids wouldn’t stay open any longer and I sank down onto the floor.