Free Imperfect Love by Isabella White Page A

George can’t fulfill.” Everyone found this pretty funny. “She’s mental, really, a few steps away from the nut house.”
    “What did you have to drink?”
    “Something I still for the life of me cannot pronounce. That stuff burned all the way down. It lit up all my organs, even in places I didn’t know organs resided.”
    “Well, you should really sober up because we’re going to do shooters tonight,” Bernie said excitedly.
    “If I smell any more alcohol, I will puke.”
    Jake stood and left. Bernie looked at him for a while. Her gaze soon affixed itself on Holly, who was also staring at his back as he walked into his RV.
    Bernie sighed. “You are a coward, Holls.”
    “Shut up. I’m getting tired of that damn word.”
    He walked back out just as quickly as he’d entered, and making his way to Holly handed her a Coke. “Drink this.”
    “I don’t drink Coke.”
    “You want to feel better? It will help.”
    “Is that a doctor thing?”
    “No it’s a general knowledge thing.” He smiled.
    “Fine.” She opened the can and the bubbles prickled her lips before the cool liquid tingled her tongue. The sweet taste felt good, and she finished the entire can in seconds. As soon as she was done, everyone looked at her disbelievingly. “What? I was thirsty.”
    “Don’t drink Coke, my ass. For someone who doesn’t drink Coke, you sure poured that down your throat in record time.” This was the first time Sonic had spoken to someone other than Jake.
    “She seriously doesn’t drink Coke.” Bernie, good friend that she was, rushed to her defense.
    “Uh-huh,” Sonic mumbled.
    Holly knew that Bern was going to have a fit as she disliked anyone who answered in that manner.
    “Ignore it, please,” Holly murmured softly to Bernie.
    “So, Sonic. How long have you been back in Jake’s life?”
    “Bernie…” Leo warned, and Holly sighed.
    “What? I’m just asking her a question.”
    “About two months, and it’s got absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with you.”
    “Uh-huh,” Bernie mocked with a raised lip.
    Holly kept a straight face.
    Sonic got up and stomped into the RV.
    “Was that really necessary?” Leo asked.
    “Leave it, Leo. Bernie’s got a point,” Jake said.
    “Thank you, Jake, just as long as you remember that.”
    Jake only smiled. “Did you really think I would go for someone like Sonic?”
    “Jake, I love you like a brother, but you are still a guy. And that in there, is a piece of ass.”
    Holly was riveted to their exchange.
    “Can we please not speak about this kind of stuff around Medusa?”
    Holly was thankful she’d finished the Coke before his comment or she would have, without a doubt, spewed it all over herself from laughing so much. “I’m not Medusa.”
    “Well, you hiss.”
    Bernie and Leo exchanged grins.
    “I hiss, because I’m fucking tired and my hand fucking aches. Speaking of which, I’m almost positive I’m not going to be able to convince you to give me a painkiller due to the fact that I have more alcohol flowing through these veins than any human probably should. I’m also pretty sure that if I tried to swallow one of those fire pills, I would explode. I hope that sums it up for you.” Narrowing her eyes, she looked at Jake.
    Bernie, Leo and Jake couldn’t for the life of them contain the laughter that erupted.
    “I don’t ever recall hearing you swear that much, ever,” Bernie stated with a fake, shocked look on her face.
    “Zip it. You’re the reason for my foul mood.”
    “I think it’s shooter time, so you zip it and go pour us a few.” Bernie cocked an eyebrow.
    “That’s why you woke me up?”
    “You are the only one who knows how to concoct an entire list of shooters, Holls. Why do you think I brought you along?”
    “You’re evil, and you have the audacity to call yourself my friend.”
    “I do, because you love me to bits.”
    “Yeah? And how do you suppose I’m going to prepare the shooters, Einstein?”
    “Ask