I had to say whatever I could to keep my father from calling the cops. I couldn't be the reason for Kellan going back to prison. Getting him out of there as fast as possible was in his best interest. I agreed that we needed to talk further. There was still feelings between us that I couldn't conceal. But now was not the time.
I slept for two days straight after the art show. I didn't want to deal with life at the moment. Sam kept calling me and I kept on ignoring her. I had sent Kellan a text message that we should talk but he never responded. I really hurt him at the art show. I could see it in those damaged eyes. He'd never want to speak to me again.
My mind was mush. I didn't know what to think anymore. I knew deep in the pit of my stomach that I still loved Kellan. I was never able to get over him while he was locked away. But I couldn't be with a criminal. Kellan said he was innocent but there were too many things I didn't know about his MC. The Blood Dogs were known around town for doing some unspeakable things. It wasn't so far-fetched that Kellan tried to kill a member of a rival MC.
If he was such a bad guy then why couldn't I get him out of my mind?
I finally got out of bed and bypassed the bathroom. I didn't even care what I looked like anymore. I went straight to the kitchen to cook some breakfast. It was nine at night but my empty stomach craved eggs and bacon.
I cracked two eggs over the sizzling pan and laid strips of bacon down on another. The aroma twisted my stomach into knots. It wouldn't be much longer until I could finally eat some solid food.
A knock at the door stopped me in my tracks. Was I imagining it? I could barely hear anything over the crackle of the cooking food. I listened hard and heard another knock. My heart jumped at the thought of Kellan being there.
I ignored the food and went to the front door. I looked in the mirror and almost vomited in my mouth. Enormous black bags hung underneath my eyes. My blonde hair was all in knots. Makeup also would've been a good choice. There was no time for it now.
I inhaled a deep breath and opened the door. Sam stood there in a dark blue dress with heels. She held a brown paper bag in one hand a small black bedazzled clutch in the other. Her face turned to horror at the sight of me. “Oh dear, you look terrible.” She rushed past me before I could even say anything. She sniffed the air. “Is something burning?”
“Oh shit!” I ran to the kitchen and found my eggs and bacon burnt to a crisp. My stomach grumbled. Cereal would have to do for now.
Sam set the brown paper bag down on the kitchen island. “I let you sulk about Kellan for a couple days but no more.” She pulled out a variety of alcohol from the bag: rum, vodka, tequila, and whiskey.
“Damn, Sam. Buy enough booze?”
She smiled and opened up the cupboard to grab some shot glasses. “Tonight called for an emergency.”
“You didn't have to do all this, Sam. I'm fine, really.”
Sam laughed as she poured the vodka into the shot glasses, spilling some onto the island. “Did you see how you look? You're definitely not fine.” She handed me a filled shot glass. “Now bottoms up.”
The vodka burned furiously on the way down. With no food in my stomach, I was going to feel it right away. And I wanted that.
“I'm sorry I've been dodging your texts and calls, Sam. I was so tired after the art show. I just needed some sleep.”
“You don't need to hide anything from me, Lilly. I know you still have feelings for Kellan.”
Sam could always see right through me. I guess that's what happens when you're friends for so long. “I don't know what to do, Sam. You're right, I still have feelings for him. But Kellan is a criminal and still apart of that MC.”
“He's bad news, Lilly. I always knew he was no good. But you never listened to me.”
“I know. But I can't get him out of my head. I never could. Four years and I couldn't forget him.”
Sam didn't wait to pour another shot—whiskey this time. “Down the hatch.”
Whiskey was my worst enemy. There were many times in college where Sam found me throwing up in the bathroom after just one shot. But tonight, whiskey and I were going to become the best of friends.
I could feel the buzz coming on already. “What should I do, Sam?”
“Don't look at me. When did I become the well of relationship wisdom?”
I tried to keep a straight face but couldn't hold it in any longer. The entire time I knew Sam, she had never been in a serious relationship. Mostly it was her fault. She just couldn't imagine sleeping with only one guy at a time. Sam had to try all thirty-one flavors. But maybe all it would take was the right guy?
“I never thought that Kellan would be back in my life.”
“Me neither. People don't usually get out of jail so quick from attempted murder.”
“I tried calling him so we could talk but he never responded.”
“Can you blame him after the scene at the art gallery?'
The image of Kellan's hurt face haunted my dreams. What else was I supposed to do? Let my father and Kellan fight it out in the back alley? I know I did the right thing but it still hurt.
“One more shot,” Sam announced.
I waved my hand at her. “I don't know if I can handle anymore. I haven't eaten anything in days.”
“That's an easy solution.” Sam went to the pantry and pulled out a granola bar. “Here ya go. Eat that on the way to the club.”
I took the granola bar from her. “Club? What club?”
“We're going out dancing tonight.”
“So that's why you're all dressed up.” I pointed to her dress.
“What? This little thing?” Sam spun around so I could check out how good her ass looked. “I always wear this thing around.”
“I don't know if I'm really ready to go clubbing tonight.”
“You will be after one more shot.” Sam winked and handed me a shot of tequila.
I reluctantly downed the alcohol. Dancing would at least keep my mind off Kellan.
“Okay let's go to a club. But what shall I wear?”
Sam got that glint in her eye when she knew that the night was going to be crazy.
“To your closet!”
We raced to my room and I almost tripped on a pile of dirty laundry. Sam opened my closet and began flinging dresses at me. “Too boring.” My favorite brown dress hit me in the face. “Too long.” Sam pulled out a rainbow-colored dress. “What's this?”
“I thought it looked fun.”
“You should burn it,” she said, throwing it across the room. “Now what do we have here?” Sam brought out a blue dress that was way too short for me.
“Doesn't fit me anymore.”
“Nonsense. This is the dress.” Sam put it against my body. “The boys are going to be drooling over you tonight.”