Free Marked. Part I: The missing Link by J.M. Sevilla Page B

ready, I realize I'm ecstatic for a completely different reason than boredom and seeing my friends: I know we will go to The Recovery Room and I will see Jay. I can't seem to stop my mind from wandering to him.
    I can't decide what to wear and end up calling Stevie for advice. We decide on my pleated navy-blue summer dress. I look at myself in the mirror and instantly hear Will's voice telling me I look like a whore and I feel sick. I know it's not true; the dress hits my knees and covers most of my breasts, but I'd let him control my thought process for too long. Every tiny part of me begs to put on a blazer and cover up, but there is a small part of me that shines through, telling me that I can dress sexy and not be any of the horrible things Will once told me.
    Stevie's horn blasts and I reluctantly place my blazer on my bed.
    I pause at the door to turn back for it.
    No, Lily, you need to do this.
    I was fully covered the last time I went out and that didn't stop those men from attacking me. Will is the only man I've had sex with – if you can even call it that – so I'm definitely not a whore, slut, tramp, harlot, or any of the other nasty words he'd used to get me to change clothes. I grab the blazer anyway, using the excuse that it's winter and I might get cold even though we live in Mesa, Arizona and it never really gets cold, but I don't put it on.
    It feels good to see my friends and hear all about what has happened to them over the week. We agree going out Friday nights will be a weekly tradition. We sit in the parking lot behind the bar for twenty minutes while they listen to me talk out my fears of getting ready and how much I still allow Will's voice to control me. Being the amazing friends that they are, they naturally reassure me that my clothes would be considered conservative compared to what most girls wear nowadays. Stevie points to herself and the tight tapestry corset she's wearing that causes her breasts to pour out, her mini leather skirt that she's wearing with purple platform pumps that have a five inch heel. I think she looks hot.
    We step out of the car, and right before I shut the door I grab my blazer; there is somewhat of a chill in the air. I put it on and button it in the middle, ignoring the frowns of my friends.
    The moment we round the corner The Recovery Room is in sight. I see Jay and my stomach does an over-the-top twirling sensation. The sight of him has me wanting to leap into his arms and kiss every square inch of him.
    He doesn't acknowledge us when we approach, just steps aside for us to enter. As we head to the bar I look over my shoulder to find him texting, which looks odd coming from him; he doesn't seem like a texter.
    When we reach the bar the bartender is texting too, and finishes typing before she looks up to greet us. Naomi orders her usual: Captain Morgan and 7-up. I start to tell her mine but she stops me.
    “Vodka gimlet on the rocks,” she informs me, taking us all by surprise.
    She makes our drinks and places them on the bar. Naomi and I hand her our money. She takes Naomi's but doesn't reach for mine, “Your drinks are on the house tonight.”
    I must have given her a confused look because she follows it with a “just following orders” before leaving us to help someone else.
    I place a tip on the bar and when she walks past she snarls, shoving it back at me, “I'm not in the mood to get chewed out by Jay tonight. I have strict orders not to take money from you.”
    My mouth drops open, and she chuckles, “You think you’re getting free drinks because I think you're pretty? If that were the case I'd make you pay and the other one wouldn't.”
    This perks Stevie up and she leans over the bar, letting her cleavage spill out and giving the bartender a seductive smile, “You play that way?”
    “I play it all.” She struts off to go get a man his drink.
    “ I think I'm in love girls,” Stevie swoons, admiring the bartender's ass. Which I have to admit, as