“Please… no,” I whispered as time crept by, one agonizing second after the next.
After about a minute I realized, for now anyway, I’d managed to avoid that nightmare. As fast as I could, I refocused my attention on straightening the mess I’d created and got back to figuring out how to pay for the remainder of Greyson's trip.
At this point, anything short of black market organ sales sounded reasonable. Channeling Katy, I swept every stray piece of paper and renegade electronics together with a final flourish, hugged them all to my chest and sank back into the firm, cool leather of the car seat.
Okay, Maddie. Take a breath. Think. Look at the facts and focus.
Once I’d calmed down, the facts as they stood were not looking good for me. Pursing my lips, I scanned the interior of the limousine and my eyes came to rest on several bottles of liquor. Several pages clung to my clammy skin as I checked the time.
“Damn, not even noon yet.”
I mulled over my ever-dwindling options for several more seconds before finally rationalizing it was five o’clock somewhere. Placing my stack of papers and my phone on the seat next to me, I leaned forward and looked at the labels adorning the crystal liquor bottles until at last, I came across one that read, “Rum”.
Grabbing a rocks glass, I poured a healthy shot and sunk back into the limo seat once again. I raised the glass to my lips and as I did the thick, heady aroma of liquor hit my nasal passages, singeing them. I winced for an instant before bringing the glass to my lips and tossing the caramel-colored liquid back in a single motion. Streaks of fiery vanilla and cinnamon raced down the back of my throat, providing me much needed warmth and relief as it made its way to my stomach.
“Desperate times,” I muttered.
Placing the booze back in the rack, I rapped on the divider window separating me from Armando. A split second later, the window whined as it started to lower.
“Yes, ma’am?” he said. “Are we going to pick up Miss Lynne?”
I glanced out the window and licked my lips. A final hint of the rum’s sting settled on top of my taste buds.
“No, Miss Lynne is out. Miss Madeline is in.”
“Ma’am?” he said with a rising tone in his voice.
“It’s nothing, Armando,” I began. “Just take me back to my apartment.”
“Right away, ma’am.”
I watched as the divider swallowed the brightness of the road in front of us. The path that lay ahead was no longer as clear for me, that much was certain.
MADDIE
Still slightly buzzed, I arrived back at my apartment a little after noon, walked in and tossed my purse on the kitchen counter. I hadn’t eaten breakfast that morning and aside from figuring out what the hell I was going to do about my financial situation, the only thing on my mind was eating before I blacked out.
I yanked open the fridge and scanned the first couple of rows for anything I could whip up in a hurry. Grabbing a flimsy plastic container half-filled with Katy’s leftover meal of pasta and meat sauce, I slid it into the microwave and started the oven. As it began to cook, I reached my hand into my bag to grab my phone. I had to at least try and get the money I'd paid for Lynne back or I was seriously screwed.
After I located the phone, I turned it over and swiped the screen to unlock it. The first thing I saw was Trevor’s number staring me right in the face. As the aroma of tomato sauce and savory beef began to fill my nostrils, a frustrating idea popped into my head.
No, I am not calling him. No way. I can do this on my own.
The last thing I needed right now was to embarrass myself with a midday drunk dial. Okay maybe I wasn’t drunk but a buzzed dial wouldn’t be much better. However, no sooner had I talked myself out of it, than the universe sensed my decision and immediately flipped it on me. For as I held the phone in my hand, Trevor called and a battle between my better judgment and my liquor-tainted desire to give him a tongue-lashing began.
Ring.
“Shit,” I cursed.
Ring.
“Don’t do it, I said, as I shook my head. “Let it go to voice mail.”
Ring.
My rational mind scolded me. You don’t have any other options, Maddie. Grey will never understand or tolerate you not being able to pay for what he wants. You’ve got to pick up. Talk to Trevor. Ask him. And be polite about it!
Ring.
Now goddamn it! The phone goes to voicemail after the fifth ring!!!
Pressing the talk button as I raised the phone to my ear, I pinched my eyes shut as hard as I could and answered just in time.