Page 90 of Hotter 'N Hell

I picked it up and took a drink. “Good,” I replied. “Four didn’t make it go away. Maybe five will.”

Than sat across from us. “Okay, you wanted to go get drunk on a Monday night. We agreed because you looked like you needed it. But you won’t tell us why you’re drinking yourself into the hangover from hell.”

I hadn’t told them.

Didn’t want to.

“Hurts too much,” I said, then laughed, but it sounded more like a cry. “What’s wrong with me?” I stared at Than.

He was blunt. He’d tell me. Gathe would lie.

He shrugged. “Nothing. Well, you’re spoiled, but that comes with the territory. Hence the name Princess.”

My eyes burned. I bet she hadn’t been spoiled—Delana. She had been beautiful and sweet. I’d never been sweet.

“Sweet is overrated,” Gathe said, bumping my shoulder. “Who’s Delana?”

“I didn’t mean…mean…to say that out loud.” My words were starting to slur some. Oops. I took another drink.

“You did. So, who is it?” Gathe asked again.

I lifted my martini glass up. “An angel in heaven—that’s who. The kind that men fall in love with. Don’t want to live without. Not like me. They don’t want to keep me. Because I’m spoiled.”

I took another drink.

“Hey now. I was teasing your ass,” Than said. “You are lovable. And we’re the ones who spoiled you. That’s not a bad thing.”

I laughed. “I don’t wanna be lovable. That’s for teddy bears and cute little puppies. I want to be someone’s Halo.” There, that made sense.

I could see Than wince.

“See, you know. You know I’ll never be that. Not me. I’m not like Delana and Halo.”

Gathe’s hand brushed hair behind my ear. “Hey, come on now. I thought you’d put that stuff behind you. You like Halo.”

I nodded. “I do like her. Hell, who doesn’t? You can’tnotlike her. Men can’t help falling in love with her.”

Than and Gathe exchanged looks. I rolled my eyes. They were gonna give me a pep talk. Not going to help, but bless them, they meant well.

“Who is Delana?” Than asked, putting his elbows on the table as he looked at me like the answer was going to appear on my forehead.

The image of that happening made me giggle.

“Delana,” I said, pointing my glass at him and sloshing someover the side. Frowning, I looked at my wet hand. “Oh man. I spilled some.”

Gathe’s hand took my glass away.

“HEY! Give me that back,” I demanded, then licked the martini that was on my hand.

“I will. You tell me who Delana is first.”

I sighed and rolled my eyes. “She’s dead. Like I said, up there in the sky. Being perfect.”

“Who is the dead girl?” Than asked me.

My shoulders fell. I had been enjoying a buzz, and they were ruining it. “The girl he loves—that’s who. He’ll fuck me. But he will always love her. Being a priest for her. Choosing her. Tossing me aside, just like that. Done with me. And stupid, stupid girl that I am, I fell in love with him.” I leaned on the table and pointed a finger at Than. “Knowing he couldn’t love me ’cause no one ever does. I don’t get picked. I am that kid in PE who no one wants on their team. They have to take them last if it’s their turn to pick.”

I turned to Gathe. “Can I have my martini back now?”