Free Seeing Red (The Dark Love Series) by Olivia Howe Page B

Andrew is going to love seeing you in it!”
                  “I don't think Andrew's going to be there,” I admit.
                  “Why not? What happened? You know I don't want you going anywhere without him. It's not safe for you, baby,” Ali says with a worried look on her face.
                  “It's a long story, and I don't want to talk about it. I'm just going to a party. I will be fine.”
                  “Nina, I don't want you going unless someone is going to be there to protect you,” Ali says.
                  “Well, I'm not having Andrew come with me!” I yell.
                  “Nina,” Ali says calmly.
                  “I'll be fine, mom!” I yell as I walk out of the room and make my way to my car.
     
    * * * *
    I pull up to Kali's cabin in Charlotte, and see lines of cars down the road. I continue to drive my Saab down the rocky, dirt road. I'm searching for a parking spot, and I can't find one.
                  My phone starts to ring and I check who's calling. Andrew. I press ignore. I don't want to talk to him tonight. I just want to have a good time. I hope my mom didn't call him.
                  “Finally,” I whisper to myself. I find a parking spot, and it's close to the cabin.
                  I leave my phone in the car and get out. I make my way to the cabin, toward the loud music.
                  “I don't care, I love it!” I hear Kali singing to “I Love It” by Icona Pop. “Nini!” Kali yells as she grabs a red cup. I'm guessing that's for me. “Here's your pretty red cup! Drink up, best friend!” Kali yells.
                  I laugh at her and take the cup. Looking inside, I see it's filled with beer. I take a deep breath and smile. This is going to help me. I start drinking, and I don't stop until it's empty.
                  Everyone outside, including Kali, is watching me drink it down. “WOO!” Everyone screams.
                  “We're going to get wasty pants tonight!” Kali says as she stumbles. I think she is already drunk.
                  I smile at her, and I feel the need to drink more. “Let's take some shots!” Kali screams. She read my mind.
                  Kali pulls me inside, and the song changes to “You Oughta Know” by Alanis Morissette.
                  Kali is singing as she drags me to the kitchen. Everyone is playing beer pong, screaming, laughing, and just having a good time, with not a care in the world.
                  “Ready for whiskey shots?” Kali asks me.
                  “What? Whiskey?” I ask in shock.
                  She hands me a shot glass full of whiskey, and another cup full of soda. “Whiskey first, and then drink the chaser. Ready?” Kali smiles.
                  “Sure! Let's do it!” I smile back at her.
                  She shakes her head and we both take one big gulp of whiskey. I let it slide right down my throat, as it starts to burn. I quickly take the chaser, and keep drinking it to get the nasty taste out of my mouth. My stomach begins to feel warm, and I feel lightheaded.
                  “EWW!” I yell. “That was so gross!”
                  Kali scrunches up her nose and laughs. “I know, right! But, you get completely wasted! Let's take another shot and then go dance!” Kali yells over the music.
                  I take a deep breath and laugh. “Fine with me!”
                  Tonight is about not giving a damn about anything. I just don't give a shit right now. I want to drink away my broken heart.
                  Kali hands me a shot glass filled with whiskey. I cringe. This is such a disgusting taste.